Target

Erik could only hope for now. As they moved through the tunnels of Nidavellir, Mia quietly worked on sending a message back to Heimdall telling their current situation in simple words. Her fingers moved subtly at her side – Hopefully barely noticeable – tracing invisible runes that interfaced with the System. She was careful not to draw attention.

Netharos who walking ahead of them suddenly glanced back at them with a frown crossing his sharp features. His eyes lingered a moment and Erik's heart quickened. He leaned closer to Mia and whispered with low voice. "We should move faster. They're watching us."

Mia caught his urgency and giving him a small nod in response. They quickened their pace and finally caught up with the other Dreadshade Coven members. The silent black-coated figures marched again. Every movement made Erik and Mia felt like they just taking a calculated risk, a delicate balancing act between secrecy and their own important mission.

Neither Erik nor Mia had ever truly intended to work with Valeria, of course. From the start, they knew they couldn't trust her and everything about this mission only reinforced their resolve. The Dreadshade Coven might be following her orders but Erik and Mia had no plans to become her pawns.

But she got the key to curing Liam's curse. And they wouldn't be entering this deep into their ranks if they didn't say that they agree with her. Erik just made that decision on the spot cause he thought that it was the right decision at that moment. Fortunately, Mia following his lead without question and understood this just as well.

After all, they had been through years of friendship together. Their unspoken bond gave them a shared understanding that no one else could match. Erik didn't need to explain himself and Mia already knew what he was thinking.

They kept moving through the ancient dwarven realm. With Heimdall's link, they had a way to tip the scales.

But for now, they would play along, waiting for the right moment to make their own move.

They finally arrived at a sprawling underground city deep within Nidavellir after a few minutes. It was an incredible sight. The city was carved entirely from the stone of the mountains. Towering structures of rock and metal lined the vast cavern and illuminated by the glow of molten forges and veins of shimmering minerals embedded in the walls. Massive columns holding up the cavern roof and spiraling towers reached upwards despite being buried beneath the earth.

This was the realm of the dwarves, that isolated from the rest of the Nine Realms. The roads were narrow, twisting through alleyways and between the towering structures, all leading to the great central forge that loomed in the distance, its fiery glow visible even from here.

Netharos stopped, his dark eyes scanning the city before he turned to his Dreadshade Coven members.

"We'll split up. Spread out and search for Vekkir. He won't be easy to find but if we cover enough ground we'll locate his forge." He paused then glancing at Erik and Mia. "I will search with you two."

Erik raised an eyebrow and looking at Netharos. "Seems like you don't trust us."

Netharos smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "No."

Erik snorted, offering a crooked smile of his own. "Alright," he said simply.

Mia just stood silently beside him with neutral expression. She kept her face calm, not daring to show any emotion that might give away the fact that she was still in the process of sending a message to Heimdall.

Netharos tilted his head slightly, motioning forward. "Let's move. We need to stay out of sight. The dwarves are not easily fooled and if we're discovered it will be a battle we cannot afford. But don't be to worry, we have the abbility to blend in to the shadow."

With that, they began to weave their way through the shadowed streets of the dwarven city. Erik and Mia kept close to Netharos and following him silently as they maneuvered through narrow passageways and darkened corners, staying hidden from the wandering eyes of the dwarves. Netharos using his abbility well to cover them.

After a few minutes of careful and silent movement through the darkened streets, they spotted a dwarf stumbling down a narrow alleyway. He looked disheveled, his clothes rumpled and stained with soot. A large unkempt beard hung from his chin and the way he swayed with each step suggested he was verey drunk.

The dwarf carried a heavy-looking hammer slung over his shoulder. Its handle clinking against the metal belt he wore. His eyes were half-closed and he muttered something incoherent under his breath as he disappeared deeper into the alley.

Netharos narrowed his eyes, watching the dwarf closely.

"That's our target," he said in a low voice after few moments of making sure. "Vekkir."

Erik and Mia turned their attention to the dwarf, studying him. His appearance was unremarkable aside from his obvious intoxication. He seemed far too vulnerable to be the master blacksmith they had been sent to capture, but they knew appearances were often deceiving.

"Move quickly," Netharos instructed. "You two will take him. Make sure he's unconscious but alive. I'll maintain a barrier to ensure no one notices."

Erik glanced at Mia and they shared a knowing look. Erik sighed helplessly.

"Come on," he said to Mia. "Let's get this over with."

Mia nodded, but before they could make their move she subtly adjusted her posture, concentrating on sending the final part of her message to Heimdall. Her fingers twitched slightly by her side as she finished, her expression remained neutral but it starting to look rigid.

With the message sent, they both moved forward stepping quietly toward the dwarf. Behind them, Netharos began muttering an incantation under his breath. His hands raised as he formed a shimmering barrier around the area to hide their presence from the rest of the dwarven city.

Erik and Mia walking closer toward the dwarf from behind. Erik whispered. "You done?"

Mia just give him a curt nod while breathing a sigh of relief.

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