Blackwood Rising

Kae looked at Lyra and Zax, and saw the same mix of fear and determination in their eyes. They nodded in unison, and Kae turned back to the woman.

"We accept the quest," Kae said, trying to sound braver than he felt.

The woman smiled, and her eyes shone with approval. "I knew I could count on you," she said. "But be warned, the journey will be difficult and fraught with danger. You will need all your skills and cunning to succeed."

She handed Kae a small, delicate crystal. "This is a shard of the Heart of Elyria," she explained. "It will guide you on your journey and provide you with the power to overcome the challenges you will face."

Kae took the crystal, feeling its strange energy coursing through him. He looked at Lyra and Zax, and saw that they were both staring at him in awe.

"What's going on?" Lyra asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I don't know," Kae replied, "but I think we're in this together now."

The woman nodded. "You are indeed. And now, you must go. The darkness is spreading, and you have a long journey ahead of you."

She waved her hand, and the mist around them began to clear. Kae saw that they were standing at the edge of a vast, barren landscape. In the distance, he saw a range of towering mountains, their peaks shrouded in mist.

"That's where you need to go," the woman said, pointing to the mountains. "The source of the darkness is hidden within the Mountains of Mor'Dhul. But be warned, the journey will be treacherous, and you will face many dangers along the way."

Kae steeled himself, feeling a sense of determination rising within him. He looked at Lyra and Zax, and saw that they were both ready to face whatever lay ahead.

"Let's do this," Kae said, shouldering his backpack.

Lyra and Zax nodded, and together, the three friends set off towards the Mountains of Mor'Dhul

As they journeyed towards the Mountains of Mor'Dhul, Kae, Lyra, and Zax encountered a vast expanse of barren wasteland. The ground was dry and cracked, and the air was hot and unforgiving. They trudged on, their feet sinking into the dusty earth, their canteens almost empty.

After hours of walking, they spotted a cluster of rocks in the distance. As they drew closer, they saw that it was an oasis - a small spring bubbled out of the ground, surrounded by a few scrawny trees and some scrubby bushes.

They collapsed onto the rocks, exhausted and parched. Lyra pulled out a water filter and began to purify the spring water, while Zax started a small fire using some dry wood and a few scraps of fabric. Kae sat back, watching them work, feeling grateful for their teamwork and camaraderie.

As they rested and rehydrated, Kae couldn't help but think about the woman's words. What was the source of the darkness? And how were they supposed to stop it?

Lyra handed him a canteen of cool water, and Kae took a long drink, feeling the liquid soothe his parched throat.

"We need to keep moving," Zax said, looking up at the sky. "We don't have much daylight left."

Kae nodded, and they packed up their gear, continuing on their journey. As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the wasteland, they spotted something in the distance - a dark shape, looming large against the fading light.

"What is that?" Lyra asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kae squinted, trying to make out the shape. "I don't know," he said, "but I think we're about to find out."

As they drew closer, they saw that it was a massive stone statue, depicting a long-forgotten king or warrior. The statue was covered in intricate carvings and symbols, and its eyes seemed to stare out into the distance, as if watching something far away.

Suddenly, Zax stumbled, his foot catching on a hidden rock. As he fell, the ground gave way beneath him, and he disappeared into a hidden pit.

"Zax!" Lyra cried, rushing to the edge of the pit.

Kae peered into the darkness, trying to see where Zax had fallen. But as he looked down, he saw something that made his blood run cold - a pair of glowing eyes, staring back up at him.