TREVOR KING AND SYSTEM MISADVENTURES

Chapter 10: Into the Abyss

The first light of dawn had barely broken over the horizon when Trevor, Lyra, and Kael set off towards the Emerald Caverns.

The map, now carefully rolled up and secured in Trevor’s backpack, was the only guide they had. Solace was behind them, its golden spires barely visible through the trees as they made their way deeper into the forest, toward the rumored entrance to the caverns.

The air was thick with humidity, the scent of wet earth and moss creeping up their nostrils with each step.

They had been walking for hours, the only sounds being the occasional rustling of leaves or the distant call of birds.

But it wasn’t the natural sounds of the forest that kept Trevor on edge. It was the oppressive silence of the world around them—like the forest was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

“This is taking longer than I thought,” Trevor muttered, adjusting the strap of his bag as his feet sank into the thick mud beneath him.

Lyra glanced back at him, her face unreadable. “The caverns are hidden. It’s not just about finding them, it’s about knowing where to look.”

“That’s not exactly reassuring,” Trevor said, though he appreciated her bluntness.

He had a sinking feeling that they weren’t just up against the dangers of the caverns themselves—they were also walking into a web of lies and deceit spun by Zane.

Kael, as usual, said little. But Trevor could see the tension in his posture, the way his eyes scanned the surroundings like a hawk. He was on alert, as he always was in unfamiliar territory.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached a clearing. The trees opened up, revealing a massive rock face ahead of them. Trevor squinted at it, barely able to make out the faint markings etched into the stone.

“This is it,” Lyra said quietly, stepping forward. “The entrance to the Emerald Caverns.”

The rock face was jagged and uneven, but as Lyra approached, she placed her hand on the stone, muttering something under her breath.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a low rumble, the stone shifted. A portion of it slid to the side, revealing a dark passage that led deep underground.

Trevor’s stomach churned. The smell of damp stone and the staleness of the air rushed out of the opening, hitting him like a wave. Despite the cool air, a bead of sweat formed on his forehead. This was it. There was no turning back now.

“Well, here we go,” Trevor said, forcing a grin, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Lyra was already moving, her steps determined as she led the way into the dark tunnel. Kael followed closely behind, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword, the only sound the soft echo of their footsteps on the stone floor.

Trevor hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady himself. Then, with a last glance back at the forest, he followed them inside.

The further they ventured into the caverns, the darker it became. The air grew colder, and the walls seemed to close in around them, the passage narrowing as they descended deeper.

The faint glow of Lyra’s magic illuminated their path, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Trevor could feel the weight of the darkness pressing down on them, like it was alive, watching, waiting.

“This place is...” Trevor trailed off, unable to find the right words. It felt like they were walking into the heart of something ancient, something forgotten.

“Old,” Kael finished for him, his voice low. “Ancient.”

Lyra didn’t respond, but Trevor could see her eyes darting around, clearly uncomfortable with the heavy atmosphere. She was trying to hide it, but Trevor knew her well enough to see the unease beneath her usually calm demeanor.

They kept moving, the only sounds their footsteps and the faint dripping of water echoing through the caverns.

The passage twisted and turned, leading them down narrow corridors and into vast chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites.

Trevor’s mind raced as he tried to keep track of their route, knowing that they needed to get out as quickly as possible once they had the Heart.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, they arrived at a large, open chamber. The air in the room was thick with the scent of age and decay.

In the center of the chamber stood a massive stone pedestal, covered in ancient carvings. Atop the pedestal was a large, glowing crystal—its light pulsing with an almost hypnotic rhythm.

“There it is,” Lyra said quietly, her voice reverent. “The Heart of the Ancients.”

Trevor felt a chill run down his spine. The crystal seemed to hum with power, a force that he could almost feel tugging at him from across the room. He couldn’t take his eyes off it, the strange pull growing stronger the longer he looked at it.

“Let’s just grab it and go,” Trevor muttered, his fingers itching with the desire to reach for the Heart. The sooner they got out of here, the better.

Lyra stepped forward, her movements measured. She didn’t touch the Heart immediately, instead inspecting the pedestal closely. “There’s something not right about this,” she said, her brow furrowing. “This is too easy.”

Trevor frowned. “What do you mean?”

Lyra’s eyes scanned the carvings on the pedestal. “These symbols—they’re not just decorative. They’re a warning. Whoever placed the Heart here didn’t want it disturbed.”

Trevor stepped forward, his impatience getting the best of him. “It’s just a bunch of old carvings. Let’s grab it and get out of here. We’ve been here too long already.”

Kael, who had remained silent up until now, moved to the side of the room.

His sharp gaze was locked on something in the shadows, his posture tense. “I don’t think it’s just the carvings we should be worried about.”

Before Trevor could ask what he meant, a deep rumble echoed through the chamber. The walls seemed to tremble, the stone groaning as if awakening from a long slumber.

The ground beneath their feet shook, and Trevor stumbled, his heart pounding in his chest.

“Get back!” Lyra shouted, grabbing Trevor’s arm and pulling him away from the pedestal. “Something’s happening!”

The glow of the Heart intensified, flooding the room with a blinding light. Trevor squinted, trying to shield his eyes as the light grew brighter, almost unbearable.

And then, just as suddenly as it had started, the light disappeared. The shaking stopped. The room fell silent.

For a moment, no one moved. Trevor could feel his heart racing, his breath coming in quick gasps. The silence in the chamber was deafening.

Then, a voice—low, deep, and filled with ancient malice—echoed through the cavern.

“You should not have come here.”