Rheus stumbled through the shifting vault, the tremors growing stronger with each passing second. The ancient relics rattled and clattered around him, and in his grasp was the golden crown he had found—a relic of untold power. But now, that discovery came at a cost. The fortress, ancient and decaying, seemed determined to keep him trapped within its collapsing walls.
Just as Rheus approached the exit, a sharp cry echoed through the crumbling chamber. His heart froze—it was Luisa's voice, strained and desperate. Without a second thought, Rheus turned back, sprinting through the shifting shadows of the vault, each step feeling like a perilous leap over cracking stone and falling debris.
In the narrow passageway ahead, Luisa stumbled out of a side chamber, her face pale and her breaths shallow. Her eyes met Rheus's, a mixture of relief and fear.
"Rheus!" she gasped, holding onto the wall for support. "I found something important, but we need to leave—this place is coming down fast!"
Rheus nodded, his own breath catching in his throat. "I know. I found something too, but it doesn't matter if we're buried alive."
They exchanged a grim look and immediately broke into a run, heading for the exit. The fortress trembled violently around them, cracks racing across the walls, and chunks of the ceiling caved in, blocking their path at every turn. They leaped over broken pillars and dodged falling stones, the flickering light from their torches barely keeping the darkness at bay.
As they approached the main entrance, Rheus suddenly skidded to a halt. Standing between them and the exit was the cloaked figure they had encountered earlier. Their hooded form stood still amidst the chaos, seemingly unfazed by the destruction happening around them.
"You survived the trials," the figure's voice was low and cold, echoing in the vast hall. "Impressive. But this is where your journey ends."
Rheus gripped his sword, his eyes narrowing. "Out of our way, now!" His voice was sharp, filled with determination. He wasn't about to let this stranger stop them from escaping.
The cloaked figure chuckled darkly, lifting one hand. Black, swirling magic began to form around them, creating a barrier of shadow that blocked the path. The ground beneath Rheus and Luisa rumbled as the figure's dark aura expanded, filling the space with an oppressive energy.
"You are too late," the figure said, their voice growing more sinister. "The secrets of the Lost Kingdom are not for you to uncover. But I must admit, you have intrigued me—your persistence is... admirable."
Rheus and Luisa exchanged a tense glance, understanding that there was no choice left but to fight. Rheus could feel his magic stirring within him, his energy rising to counter the figure's dark spell. It was now or never.
As dark energy crackled in the air, Luisa notched an arrow, her enchanted bow glowing faintly. "Let's make this quick," she muttered. She loosed a volley of arrows, each one aimed at the weak points of the swirling magic.
The arrows struck the barrier with precision, causing it to flicker and pulse, but it held firm. Rheus clenched his fists, channeling the magic that surged through his veins. With a shout, he unleashed a powerful wave of energy, crashing it against the barrier.
The force of Rheus's attack collided with the dark magic, causing the entire hall to shake. The barrier shimmered, then shattered into fragments of shadow, sending the cloaked figure stumbling back. The dark magic around them wavered and then dissipated into the air.
"Go!" Rheus yelled, and he and Luisa dashed toward the exit, the fortress crumbling around them in an apocalyptic roar. The ground shook violently as the final collapse began.
The doors ahead groaned under the pressure of the falling stone, but Rheus and Luisa burst through them just as the fortress gave one last shudder and collapsed into a massive cloud of dust and rubble behind them. The thunderous sound of the structure falling echoed across the plains.
They stumbled out into the open air, their legs giving out from sheer exhaustion. The sunlight was blinding after the darkness of the vault, but they were alive. That was all that mattered—for now.
Rheus lay back, gasping for breath, as Luisa sat beside him, her face still pale. She wiped sweat from her brow and shook her head. "That was too close," she muttered, her voice trembling slightly. "But who... who was that figure? And why were they so interested in you?"
Rheus didn't answer immediately. He stared at the golden crown still clutched in his hand, his mind swirling with questions of his own. "I don't know," he finally said, his voice grim. "But they knew something about the Lost Kingdom—something they don't want us to find out."
Luisa frowned, the reality of their situation sinking in. "It's your name, isn't it? Ever since we started this journey, people have been targeting you."
Rheus nodded. "Seems that way. Whoever's behind this knows who I am. Or at least… they think they do."
Luisa's expression hardened with determination. "We need to figure out who's pulling the strings behind all this. But first, we need information. Real answers."
Rheus stood, his body aching from the exertion. "You're right. There has to be something out there about the Lost Kingdom—something they're trying to hide. We need to know what that is if we're going to survive."
Luisa wiped the dust off her hands, glancing out at the distant landscape. "Where to, then?"
Rheus turned to her, his mind already working on the next step. "Elforia. I've heard it's a village known for its vast libraries and knowledge. If there's anything about the Lost Kingdom, its ruins, or these shadowy figures, we'll find it there."
"Elforia, huh?" Luisa smiled faintly. "Alright, lead the way."
As they set off, leaving the shattered fortress behind, Rheus couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something much bigger. The Lost Kingdom's secrets were far from uncovered, and the path ahead was filled with danger. But he was determined to face it head-on. After all, he wasn't just a bullied kid anymore—he was destined for something more.