The darkness within the narrow passage was absolute, a stark contrast to the eerie, Shadowmoss-lit cavern Kael had just left. He moved by touch as much as by sight, one hand trailing along the cool, damp roots that formed the walls, the other holding his bow, an arrow still nocked. The Sylphwing Quill's vibrations were a constant, reassuring presence, and the Attunement Shard in his pouch pulsed with a steady, warm rhythm, its gentle pull still urging him forward.
The passage was short, no more than twenty feet long, and it soon opened into another space. This chamber was much smaller than the Watchers' cavern, perhaps only fifteen feet square. It was also significantly less oppressive. The air here was still and cool, with the loamy scent of ancient earth, but the heavy psychic pressure and the overwhelming sense of vital/necrotic energy were greatly diminished.
A faint, silvery luminescence emanated from the center of the room, providing a soft, gentle illumination. Kael's eyes adjusted quickly. The source of the light was a single, smooth stone pedestal, waist-high, upon which rested a fist-sized, crystalline object that pulsed with a gentle, internal light. It was a multifaceted crystal, its facets catching and refracting the light in a mesmerizing display.
The walls of this small chamber were not formed by rough, intertwined roots, but by smooth, dressed stone, fitted together with a precision that spoke of masterful craftsmanship. Faint, intricate carvings, similar in style to those on the Ancient Cache Box and the Attunement Shard, adorned the stone walls, though they were heavily weathered and coated in a thin layer of dust. It felt like a hidden study, a sanctuary, or a place of focused power, long forgotten.
"System," Kael whispered, his voice hushed in the stillness, "analyze this chamber and the crystal."
[System Analysis: Chamber identified - Ancient Ante-Chamber/Study. Construction: Dressed stone, pre-System era (Estimated 1200-1500 Standard Years). Ambient Energy: Neutral, stable, with faint residual traces of concentrated arcane energies (scholarly/divinatory nature). No immediate threats detected.]
[System Analysis: Object on pedestal identified - 'Rune of Ephemeral Knowledge' (Lesser). Rarity: Very Rare. Type: Consumable Arcane Artifact. Properties: When attuned and consumed by a System-compatible user, this rune grants a temporary but significant boost to experience point acquisition from all sources. Duration: 24 Standard Hours. Effect: +100% XP Gain. Warning: The rapid influx of experiential data can cause temporary mental fatigue or disorientation in users with insufficient mental fortitude (WIS/INT). One-time use. Cannot be stacked with similar XP-boosting effects.]
A Rune of Ephemeral Knowledge. +100% XP gain for 24 hours! Kael's eyes widened. This was an incredible find, a treasure beyond anything he could have hoped for. This rune could drastically accelerate his leveling, bringing him closer to the strength he needed to truly face the Whisperwood's challenges, or even survive an encounter with more of those tribal warriors or other high-level threats.
The warning about mental fatigue was noted, but his INT of 23 and WIS of 20, combined with his 'Keen Mind' and 'Resilience' skills, gave him confidence he could handle it.
The Attunement Shard in his pouch was now pulsing rapidly, its warmth spreading through his tunic. It was clearly resonating with this chamber, with the pedestal, and especially with the Rune of Ephemeral Knowledge. The Sylphwing Quill, too, vibrated with a gentle, harmonious energy. This was undoubtedly a place the riddle had intended him to find.
He approached the pedestal cautiously. The crystalline rune pulsed with a soft, inviting light. There were no visible traps, no guardians here. This place felt… peaceful, a stark contrast to the Watchers' cavern and the death-trap passage where the spearman had met his end.
He reached out a hand towards the rune. As his fingers brushed against its cool, smooth surface, it seemed to thrum with a faint energy that resonated deep within him, a feeling of awakening, of potential.
[System Notification: You are in proximity to a 'Rune of Ephemeral Knowledge (Lesser)'. Do you wish to attune to and consume this artifact? (Y/N) Warning: Effects are immediate and last for 24 standard hours. Ensure you are prepared to maximize XP gain during this period.]
Twenty-four hours of doubled experience. He would need to plan carefully. Hunt aggressively. Perhaps tackle a particularly challenging crafting project that offered significant XP. The possibilities raced through his mind. This was a game-changer.
He looked around the small, stone chamber again. The intricate carvings on the walls… were they just decoration, or did they hold further secrets? The riddle had spoken of the "path to knowing." This rune was a powerful tool for growth, but perhaps this chamber itself held knowledge.
Before consuming the rune, he decided to examine the walls more closely. The Sylphwing Quill seemed to guide his attention, its vibrations subtly changing as he neared certain sections of the carvings. He traced the ancient lines with his fingers, his 'Keen Mind' trying to decipher patterns, to find meaning in the faded etchings.