Shadows in Ardenia

Lucas returned to the inn with a calm face, hiding the joy and slight frustration from his gacha results. When he entered, he saw Finn and Evelyn already sitting at the table, enjoying a snack."Finally back, buddy!" greeted Finn while munching on an apple. "Where have you been? You look like you've just dealt with a small problem."Lucas smiled."I took a walk and took care of some business in the market. Nothing too interesting."Evelyn looked at Lucas with a curious look."Did you get anything useful?"Lucas shrugged."I found some interesting things," he replied briefly. "What about you guys? Is there anything important?"Evelyn nodded."We heard some rumors about the cult's activities outside the city. It seems that what we encountered in the warehouse was just a small part of their operation. They might be doing something bigger somewhere else."Finn added enthusiastically."Yeah, someone mentioned an old mine outside the city. They said it was used for a big ceremony."Lucas nodded seriously."Then we have to investigate it. We can't just let them be free if they're planning something bigger."Evelyn agreed."We need to know more. Maybe we can infiltrate or distract them to gather information."Finn grinned."I like that idea. Infiltrating and creating a little chaos is my specialty."Lucas laughed."Alright, we need to plan this carefully. Let's get ready tonight and go to that mine tomorrow morning."That night, the three of them decided to seek more information from some locals in bars and taverns. Lucas hoped to find out more about what they were facing in the mine.In one of the busier bars, Lucas approached the bartender to find out more. The bartender, a big man with tattooed arms, nodded after hearing Lucas's request and took a few silver coins."You're looking for that group of black-robed people?" the bartender asked in a low voice."They are indeed a bit suspicious, but I hear they often gather at the old mine outside the city. The place used to be used for silver mining, but it's been abandoned for a long time. They are often seen there."Lucas thanked the bartender for the information and returned to the table with Finn and Evelyn."They are indeed often at the old mine outside the city," he said. "It seems like that's their main base."Evelyn nodded."We have to go there and find out what they're doing."The next day, after a quick preparation, they set off towards the old mine outside the city. Their journey took them through vast meadows and hills, with the old mine hidden in a forgotten hillside. The mine entrance was almost covered by wild bushes and ruins."It looks like this is the place," Evelyn whispered. "We have to be careful. There might be guards."Lucas peeked through the bushes and saw two black-robed guards standing guard at the entrance. He returned to the others and said."There are two guards in front. We have to distract them or defeat them without attracting attention."Finn smiled excitedly."I can create a small distraction. Leave that to me!"Finn crawled slowly towards the guards' position and quickly threw some small stones at the nearby trees, creating a loud noise that made the guards alert."What was that?" shouted one of the guards, turning to look for the source of the sound."Now's the time," Lucas said, gesturing to Evelyn.Evelyn raised her staff and chanted a spell, "Wind Snare!" A small whirlwind circled around the guards, causing them to fall and become immobilized.Lucas and Finn moved quickly, subduing the trapped guards with quick blows, knocking them unconscious without resistance."Good job, team," Lucas whispered with a smile.They entered the old mine, descending a rotten wooden ladder. Inside the dark mine, faint sounds echoed from the depths, while the dim light of torches on the wall provided dim illumination.Finn glanced around nervously."It's too quiet. Do you think there are traps?"Evelyn nodded."It's possible. Stay alert."They moved deeper into the mine, approaching the source of the sound that was becoming clearer. Finally, they arrived in a large, open room. In the middle of the room, there was a large ritual circle with several cult members chanting incantations in an ancient language.Lucas whispered."That's them. This ritual seems more powerful than the previous one."Finn took a deep breath."We have to stop them before they finish this ritual."Evelyn looked around."There are too many of them to attack directly. Maybe we can attack their weak point or destroy the ritual circle."Lucas agreed."Alright, let's make a plan. Finn, you create a distraction. Evelyn, get ready with your magic. I'll go in to attack the core of the circle."They all took their positions. Finn quickly moved to the left side of the room, throwing some small objects that made loud noises, attracting the attention of the cult members."Who's there?" one of them shouted, and several cult members started moving towards the source of the sound.Evelyn took advantage of the chaos and chanted a spell, "Frost Shackle!" Ice chains emerged from the ground, wrapping around the legs of several cult members, trapping them in place.Lucas ran forward towards the center of the ritual circle, his sword ready to strike. The remaining cult members realized his presence and began to attack, but Lucas moved quickly, dodging their attacks with agility.With one powerful swing, Lucas struck the ritual circle, causing the purple light enveloping it to become unstable."No!" one of the cults shouted, "Stop him!"However, it was too late. The ritual circle shattered, causing the dark energy surrounding it to fade and disappear. The remaining cult members looked panicked and confused, some of them fleeing, while others fell to their knees, exhausted.Finn approached with a grin."That was awesome, buddy!"Evelyn nodded, her eyes scanning the room. "Good job, but we have to check further. This might not be the end of them."Lucas nodded. "Let's look for other clues. Maybe there's something that can explain what they were planning next."