Living as a Mortal In a World Full of Gods

The morning sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled patterns on the ground where Kael, Lys, and Ren sat. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the faint metallic tang of the artifact, which pulsed faintly in Lys's hands. It had kept them all awake through the night, its ominous red glow serving as a grim reminder of the challenges ahead.

Kael sat cross-legged, the crystal resting in his palm as he examined its shifting light. Every so often, it seemed to pulse in sync with the artifact. He couldn't shake the feeling that the two were connected in ways he didn't yet understand.

Ren broke the silence, his voice rough from sleep. "So, what's the plan, fearless leader?" He leaned against a tree, arms crossed, his tone teasing but laced with genuine curiosity.

Kael looked up, meeting his gaze. "We need to figure out what this artifact is and why it's so important." He turned to Lys. "You said the elders spoke of artifacts like this. Do you know where we can find more information?"

Lys nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. "There's a library in the capital—a hidden one. It's said to contain knowledge long forgotten by most. If the elders were right, it'll have records of the artifacts and their purpose."

Ren snorted. "The capital? Great. That's only crawling with soldiers and spies. No big deal."

"Do you have a better idea?" Lys shot back, her eyes narrowing.

Ren held up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I'm just saying, sneaking into the most heavily guarded city in the region isn't exactly my idea of a good time."

Kael's voice cut through their bickering. "We don't have much choice. If the artifacts are tied to the crystal, then figuring out their purpose might be the only way to stop… whatever this is." He gestured vaguely at the artifact, which seemed to pulse in response.

Lys's expression softened, and she nodded. "He's right. We're already in this deep. We can't turn back now."

Ren sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. But if we're going to the capital, we're going to need disguises. And a damn good plan."

The journey to the capital took several days. They avoided main roads, sticking to forest trails and hidden paths. Each night, they took turns keeping watch, their nerves frayed from the constant threat of pursuit. The artifact's glow seemed to attract unwanted attention, and Kael's connection to the crystal grew stronger with each passing day.

One evening, as they sat around a small campfire, Kael couldn't hold back his questions any longer. "Lys, you've mentioned the elders before. What exactly did they tell you about these artifacts?"

Lys poked at the fire with a stick, her gaze distant. "Not much. Just that they were remnants of an ancient power, scattered across the land to keep them from falling into the wrong hands. The elders believed they were dangerous but necessary—tools to protect the balance of our world."

Ren let out a low whistle. "Sounds like we've got our hands full."

Kael's brow furrowed. "Why would something meant to protect the world be hidden away?"

Lys shrugged. "Power corrupts. Maybe the people who created the artifacts didn't trust anyone to use them wisely."

Ren chuckled darkly. "Sounds about right. People can't even handle a little gold without losing their minds. Imagine what something like this could do." He gestured at the artifact, which seemed to pulse more brightly for a moment.

Kael's grip tightened on the crystal. He could feel its energy thrumming beneath his skin, like a second heartbeat. "Whatever the reason, we need to figure this out. Before it's too late."

The capital loomed before them, its towering walls a stark contrast to the wilderness they had traversed. The city bustled with life, the streets crowded with merchants, travelers, and soldiers. Kael felt a pang of unease as they entered, their carefully chosen disguises doing little to ease his nerves.

Lys took the lead, her posture confident as she navigated the labyrinthine streets. "The library is in the old quarter" she said under her breath. "Keep your heads down and stay close."

Ren muttered something about feeling like a sitting duck but obeyed, his hand never straying far from the hilt of his sword. Kael followed silently, his senses on high alert. The crystal's warmth was a constant presence, a reminder of the power he carried.

As they neared the old quarter, the streets grew quieter, the bustling crowds replaced by an eerie stillness. Lys led them to a nondescript building, its weathered facade giving no hint of the secrets it held.

"This is it" she said, pushing open the heavy wooden door. The air inside was cool and damp, the faint scent of old parchment filling their noses. Shelves upon shelves of ancient tomes stretched into the shadows, the flickering light of a few candles casting long, wavering shadows.

Ren let out a low whistle. "Impressive. But how do we find what we're looking for?"

Lys smirked. "Leave that to me." She moved with purpose, scanning the shelves until she found a worn leather-bound book. Flipping through its pages, she muttered to herself, her finger tracing lines of faded text.

Kael and Ren exchanged a glance but said nothing, waiting as Lys worked. Finally, she stopped, her expression grim.

"What is it?" Kael asked, stepping closer.

Lys held up the book, showing them an illustration of the artifact. Surrounding it were symbols that seemed eerily familiar. "The artifacts are part of a greater whole. Together, they form a key—a key to a power sealed away long ago."

Ren frowned. "A key to what?"

Lys's voice was barely above a whisper. "To something the ancients feared more than anything else."

Before they could process her words, the door to the library creaked open. Kael's heart leapt as a group of soldiers entered, their eyes scanning the room. One of them held up a glowing device, its light growing brighter as it pointed toward the artifact in Lys's hands.

"We've got company" Ren said, drawing his sword.

Kael's grip on the crystal tightened as the soldiers advanced. The power within him surged, begging to be unleashed. He exchanged a glance with Lys and Ren, a silent understanding passing between them.

"No holding back" Kael said, stepping forward. The crystal's energy flared to life, illuminating the dark library as the first soldier lunged.

The battle was chaos. Ren moved like a whirlwind, his sword clashing against the soldiers' blades. Lys darted between them, her daggers finding gaps in their armor. Kael stood at the center, the crystal's light searing through the air as he unleashed its power.

The soldiers fought with relentless precision, their movements coordinated and efficient. But Kael's connection to the crystal gave him an edge. Each burst of energy sent them reeling, their ranks faltering under the onslaught.

One soldier managed to break through, his blade arcing toward Lys. Kael reacted instinctively, a wave of light erupting from his hand and sending the man crashing into a shelf. Books and debris rained down, but Kael barely noticed, his focus unyielding.

As the last soldier fell, the library fell silent once more. The three of them stood amidst the wreckage, their breaths ragged.

"We need to go" Lys said, her voice urgent. "There'll be more coming."

Kael nodded, the crystal's glow dimming as he tucked it back beneath his shirt. "Did you get what we need?"

Lys held up the book, her grip firm. "Yes. But this is only the beginning."

Ren groaned. "Why am I not surprised?"

Kael managed a faint smile. "Because you're getting used to this."

Together, they slipped out of the library, the weight of their discovery heavy on their shoulders.