The cave was silent, the kind of silence that pressed against the ears and made every breath feel louder than it should.
Vardy stood at the entrance, his staff glowing faintly.
The artifact pulsed in his hand, the whispers louder now.
"This is it," Selene said from behind him, her voice low."Your first Trial Quest. It's not going to be easy."
Vardy glanced over his shoulder at her, his expression grim. "They never are."
Ferah stepped up beside him, her sword resting on her shoulder. "You sure about this? You don't even know what's waiting for you in there."
"I don't have a choice," Vardy said, his tone firm. He turned back to the cave, his grip tightening on his staff. "If I don't do this, I won't survive what's coming."
"Then we'll wait out here," Tracy said, leaning against the cave wall. "Just don't take too long."
"Be careful," Luthor added. "These Trials aren't just tests. They're meant to break you."
Vardy didn't respond.
