TREVOR KING AND SYSTEM MISADVENTURES

Chapter 9: The Heart of the Ancients

The deal had been made, but the unease that followed it lingered in Trevor’s chest like a knot he couldn’t loosen.

Zane had told them just enough to make them realize how dangerous this new mission could be, but not enough to fully trust him.

After all, anyone who knew about the Heart of the Ancients had to be powerful—and more than a little dangerous.

The Heart, Zane claimed, was located somewhere deep within the Emerald Caverns, a labyrinthine system of caves that ran beneath the city of Solace, a place no one dared to venture into for centuries.

Trevor didn’t like the sound of that. He wasn’t sure if it was the vague threat in Zane’s voice or the fact that the man had seemed far too calm for someone who was supposed to be handing over an artifact with so much power.

But they didn’t have much choice. As far as Trevor was concerned, the faster they retrieved this artifact, the sooner they could get back on track with their true goal: finding the remaining Fragments of Ascension and getting out of this world before it all became too overwhelming.

“We need to prepare,” Lyra said, snapping Trevor out of his thoughts. “If Zane’s telling the truth, the Emerald Caverns aren’t going to be an easy walk in the park.”

Trevor nodded, feeling the weight of the situation settle deeper into his bones.

He didn’t have the luxury of hesitating. “Yeah, let’s make sure we have everything we need. If we’re going into a place that’s been untouched for centuries, we’ll need more than just our usual gear.”

Kael, ever the quiet observer, finally spoke up. “We’ll need information too. A map, maybe. If the caverns are as treacherous as Zane claims, we might not make it far without one.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Lyra said, her voice tight with determination. “There’s a trader in Solace who deals in maps. I’ve worked with him before.”

Trevor glanced at the setting sun, the last streaks of orange fading as they made their way out of the mill. “Let’s not waste time, then. The faster we get this over with, the better.”

The journey to Solace wasn’t a long one, but it wasn’t short either. The winding path through the forest stretched on for hours, with dense trees blocking out much of the sunlight.

The forest felt like it was alive, whispering secrets in the wind. Trevor couldn’t shake the feeling that something was watching them, though every time he turned around, there was nothing there.

By the time they reached Solace, it was nearly night. The city itself was more impressive than Trevor had anticipated.

Tall, white stone buildings lined the streets, their windows glowing with the warm light of lanterns. The air smelled of fresh bread and roasted meats, and the sounds of merchants haggling and children playing filled the streets.

“This place looks... lively,” Trevor commented, adjusting his pack as he took in the bustling scene.

“It’s the biggest city in the region,” Kael replied, his voice calm as always. “You’ll find anything here if you know where to look.”

Lyra led the way to a small, inconspicuous shop tucked between two larger buildings. The sign hanging above the door read “Elder’s Curiosities,” its lettering faded from years of exposure to the elements.

“Stay close,” Lyra warned as they entered. “The trader here deals in all sorts of things. Some of it... not exactly legal.”

Inside, the shop was dimly lit, shelves upon shelves of oddities lining the walls.

Various artifacts—some clearly ancient, others more modern—were displayed in glass cases, their prices marked with pieces of parchment. The air smelled faintly of incense, and the soft hum of low music played from somewhere deeper within the shop.

A bell above the door jingled as they entered, and a figure emerged from behind a curtain in the back.

The man who stepped into view was tall, with a weathered face and sharp, calculating eyes.

His clothes were dark, simple, but well-made, and his hands were calloused, as if used to handling things that required careful attention.

“Well, well,” the man said, his voice smooth but wary. “What brings you here, Lyra? I didn’t think you’d be back so soon.”

“I need a map,” Lyra said bluntly. “A map of the Emerald Caverns.”

The man’s eyes flicked to Trevor and Kael, his expression unreadable. “Not a small request. The caverns are dangerous.

Even the best maps don’t cover all the twists and turns. You sure you’re prepared for that kind of journey?”

“We don’t have much choice,” Trevor answered, stepping forward. “We’re after something important.”

The man studied him for a moment before nodding. “Alright. I’ve got just the thing.” He turned and disappeared into the back of the shop, returning moments later with a worn scroll.

“This map is as close as you’ll get to something reliable. It’s got the major routes, but the rest of the caverns are filled with... well, things that don’t appear on maps.”

Trevor took the scroll, feeling the weight of the paper in his hands. “How much?”

The man raised an eyebrow. “You don’t have the coin for something like this.”

“I have enough,” Lyra said, reaching for her pouch. “We’ll pay in full. No negotiations.”

The trader seemed to consider this for a moment before nodding. “Very well. But take this advice: the caverns are filled with more than just dangerous creatures. There are rumors of things that have been trapped down there for centuries. If you’re not careful, you may not come back at all.”

Trevor frowned. “What kind of things?”

The man didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he gave them a look that sent a chill down Trevor’s spine. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

With the map in hand, the trio set off to prepare for the journey ahead.

They secured a room in a modest inn and spent the night going over the map, marking potential landmarks and planning their route through the caverns.

Despite the map’s details, Trevor couldn’t shake the ominous feeling that weighed heavily on his mind.

The trader’s warning had struck him harder than he expected. Something about the way he said it—like there was more he wasn’t telling them—bothered him.

As the night grew darker, Trevor lay awake in his bed, staring up at the ceiling, the sound of distant footsteps outside the window the only noise breaking the silence.

He tried to focus on the task ahead, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Zane and his cryptic words.

The Heart of the Ancients.

It was a powerful artifact, that much was clear. But why did Zane want it so badly? And what did it have to do with the Fragments of Ascension?

Trevor’s thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door.

“Trevor,” Lyra’s voice called softly. “Can we talk?”

Trevor pushed himself up from the bed, rubbing his eyes. “Sure. What’s up?”

Lyra entered, her expression serious. “I don’t trust Zane. And I don’t think we should take the Heart from the caverns.

There’s something about this whole thing that doesn’t sit right with me.”

Trevor stared at her for a moment, then nodded slowly. “I’ve been thinking the same thing. But what other choice do we have? Zane’s got the other fragment. If we don’t play his game, we’ll never get the rest.”

Lyra sighed, clearly conflicted. “I know. But I think there’s more at stake here than just the fragments. Zane might be playing a bigger game than we realize.”

Kael, who had been standing in the doorway, finally spoke. “We won’t know until we get to the caverns. But we’re going in prepared. Whatever happens, we’ll face it together.”

Trevor nodded, grateful for Kael’s calm presence. Despite everything that had happened, despite the constant tension in the air, they were in this together. And somehow, that made everything a little less daunting.