The night air was thick with the scent of rain and blood. Aeron left Darius behind, blending into the darkness as he moved through the city's back alleys. Eclipse Fang knew he was alive now. That meant time was against him.
But he finally had a lead.
Artifacts ancient relics hidden deep within high-tier dungeons. Powerful enough that even the guilds feared them.
And if Darius was right, the next one wasn't far.
---
Aeron reached his hideout, a rundown apartment on the city's outskirts. The space was small, barely furnished, but it was safe. For now.
Nyxus' voice echoed in his mind as he set his weapons down.
"The relics are more than just tools of power. They are echoes of forgotten wars, pieces of gods and monsters long erased from history."
Aeron exhaled, running a hand through his hair. A cure for his sister existed. He was sure of it. But if the answer was buried in relics older than the dungeons themselves, then the path forward was even more dangerous than he expected.
A sharp knock at the door made him freeze.
He reached for his dagger, silent as he moved toward the entrance. He sensed no killing intent but that didn't mean he wasn't being watched.
Aeron cracked the door open slightly, his gaze sharp.
A young woman stood on the other side, hood drawn over her face.
"You're Aeron, aren't you?" she said, voice low but firm.
His grip on the dagger tightened. No one should know his real name.
"Who's asking?"
She stepped closer. The streetlamp behind her flickered, casting shadows over her features.
"My name is Lena, and I know where you're going."
Aeron narrowed his eyes. "You don't even know where I'm headed."
Lena smirked. "You're after the relic, aren't you?"
Aeron's instincts flared. He moved fast, dagger pressed against her throat in an instant.
"Talk. Now."
Lena didn't flinch. If anything, she looked amused.
"I'm not your enemy, Aeron." She tilted her head slightly. "But if you kill me now, you'll never find the dungeon you're looking for."
Aeron studied her carefully. She was confident—too confident for someone facing a blade. She knew something.
After a tense moment, he pulled the dagger back. "Start explaining."
Lena rubbed her neck, unbothered by the near-death experience. "The artifact you're looking for is hidden inside a dungeon that shouldn't exist. A forgotten one."
Aeron frowned. "A hidden dungeon?"
Lena nodded. "It doesn't appear on the guild's records. Only a few people even know about it. And I happen to be one of them."
Aeron crossed his arms. "And you're telling me this… why?"
Lena's smirk faded. "Because you're not the only one looking for it. And if you don't get there first, someone else will."
Aeron's expression darkened. "Who?"
Lena hesitated, then spoke one word.
"Orion."
Aeron felt something cold settle in his chest.
He knew that name.
Orion—one of Eclipse Fang's top hunters. Ruthless. Efficient. And the last person Aeron wanted to cross paths with again.
Lena watched his reaction carefully. "I see you know him."
Aeron's jaw tightened. "I know enough."
Lena nodded. "Then you understand. If you don't move now, the relic won't just be lost to you—it'll be in the hands of someone who will use it for something far worse."
Aeron considered his options. He had planned to gather more intel before making a move. But if Orion was involved, waiting was no longer an option.
"Where is the dungeon?"
Lena exhaled, glancing around as if making sure they weren't being watched.
"Not here. I'll take you to a place where we can talk freely."
Aeron didn't like the idea of following a stranger, but if she was telling the truth, he couldn't afford to waste time.
Nyxus' voice echoed in his mind once more.
"Fate moves faster thanhesitation. Choose yourpath, hunter."
Aeron made his decision.
"Lead the way."
---
Lena led Aeron through the dimly lit streets, her movements swift but cautious. She knew these paths well, which meant she had prepared for this. That alone made Aeron wary.
"You still haven't told me how you know about the relic," Aeron said as they weaved through narrow alleyways.
Lena glanced at him but didn't stop walking. "Because I've been inside that dungeon before."
Aeron's steps faltered. He grabbed her arm, forcing her to stop.
"Impossible," he said, voice sharp. "Hidden dungeons aren't like normal ones. No one gets out alive unless they were let out."
Lena exhaled, her gaze hard. "Yeah. I figured that out the hard way."
Aeron studied her carefully. No visible injuries. No signs of corruption. But her eyes held something familiar the same haunted look he'd seen in his own reflection after his betrayal.
"Then tell me," Aeron said, releasing her arm. "What's inside?"
Lena hesitated. For the first time, she seemed uncertain.
"...Something old. Older than the dungeons themselves." Her voice was quieter now, as if saying it aloud would summon whatever she had faced. "It's not just a mutated monster. It's something that shouldn't exist."
Aeron's grip tightened around the hilt of his dagger.
"And the artifact?" he pressed.
Lena looked up at him, determination returning to her expression. "It's there. I saw it."
Aeron exhaled slowly. If she was telling the truth, then this dungeon wasn't just another challenge. It was a graveyard of forgotten power.
And Orion was already on his way.
"We need to move," Aeron said. "Take me to the entrance."
Lena nodded. "Follow me."
---
They reached an abandoned industrial district at the city's outskirts. Rusted metal and shattered windows surrounded them, the scent of decay heavy in the air.
Lena led him toward an old factory, stopping in front of what looked like an ordinary shipping container. She ran her fingers along the surface, pressing into an almost invisible groove.
With a low click, the metal shifted. A hidden panel slid open, revealing a dark passage leading underground.
Aeron stared at it. A dungeon entrance, buried beneath the city.
Lena smirked. "Welcome to the ForgottenAbyss."
Aeron didn't hesitate. He stepped inside.
---