The battlefield at Dawn Pass lay strewn with the remnants of battle—scorched earth, broken blades, and dissipating Voidspawn ichor. Elian Valorian stood amidst his weary troops, the closed rift a fleeting victory under the midday sun. His Aetherforged Blade dimmed in his grip, but his eyes were fixed on the cliffs above, where the cloaked figure had vanished. Friend or foe, they'd seen too much.
Veyra, the male Shadow Rogue, returned from securing the traitor knight, Sir Drayce, his lean frame tense. "The watcher's gone, sire," he reported, his dark eyes scanning the ridge. "But their tracks lead to Syndicate territory. Shadow Syndicate, I'd wager."
Elian's jaw tightened. The Syndicate's assassins were a growing thorn, likely tied to Ravencrest's schemes. He needed more from Drayce. In the war tent, surrounded by General Korran, Lady Seraphine, and Liora, Elian faced the bound knight. "Speak," he commanded, "or the amulet stays on."
Drayce, pale under the Common Truth Amulet's glow, stammered, "Ravencrest's working with the Syndicate to open more rifts. They want Valoria's Aether mines destabilized, so Ironhold can sweep in."
Liora's emerald eyes flashed. "The Enchanted Forests hold a Mythic Aetherial Core. It could seal all rifts permanently, but it's guarded by ancient wards."
Elian nodded, weighing the risk. A mission to the forests could turn the tide, but the Syndicate's presence complicated matters. He summoned the Faith System. [Current Belief Points (BP): 0]
The battle's heroics had boosted faith. [BP increased to 1,500 due to rising morale.]
"Show me options for 1,500 BP," he thought.
[Gold: 150,000 gold coins] [Aether Crystals: 150 crystals] [Rare Truth Amulet: 1,500 BP]
"Convert 1,500 BP to Rare Truth Amulet," Elian decided. A golden pendant materialized in his palm, its runes brighter than the common one. Seraphine's gaze flickered, her voice low. "Another vault find, Your Majesty?"
"Old reserves," Elian said, slipping the amulet around Drayce's neck. Its glow forced deeper truths. "Ravencrest meets Syndicate leaders in the Underdark tomorrow," Drayce gasped. "They plan to sabotage your council!"
Elian's blood ran cold. He ordered Veyra to prepare a team to intercept the meeting. "Liora, ready your spellweavers for the forest mission. We need that core."
As they dispersed, Korran pulled Elian aside. "Sire, these relics you keep finding—where are they truly from?" His scarred face was grim, suspicion evident.
Elian deflected with a smile. "Valoria's secrets run deep, General." But Korran's frown lingered, a crack in trust.
As night fell, a scout burst into the tent, breathless. "Sire, another Void rift's opening—north of the pass, larger than before!" The ground trembled, confirming the report.
Elian gripped his blade, the weight of leadership heavy. The Syndicate, Ravencrest, and now a new rift—Valoria's enemies were closing in, and the watcher's shadow loomed larger than ever.