Morning came with a biting chill and the smell of rain on the wind. Cain stood at the highest parapet of the keep, overlooking the sprawling lands of northern Temeria. His new contacts were proving valuable already; word of a disturbance east of Brocheur had come faster than he expected.
A ley line—an invisible river of magical energy—had begun to fluctuate unnaturally near the village of Caerwyn. The villagers spoke of lights in the woods, animals growing aggressive, and crops withering overnight.
Cain knew this was no coincidence.
"It feels like something's trying to wake up," he muttered to himself.
Behind him, Callum approached, freshly armored and carrying a new travel pack.
"Got everything ready," Callum said. "Calanthe's getting horses."
Cain nodded. "Good. We'll need to move quickly."
By noon, the three rode eastward, following the old trade roads through thickening woods and mist-shrouded hills. Cain kept one hand loosely near his sword the entire time. Something about the energy in the air felt wrong.
Village of Caerwyn – Twilight
Caerwyn was a quiet village built around a central square, with a crooked well and a weather-beaten chapel. The moment they crossed into its outskirts, Cain's medallion vibrated against his chest.
The village elder, a stooped man named Eddric, met them near the well.
"Witcher," he croaked, eyeing Cain's medallion. "Sorceress. Young swordsman. Thank Melitele you're here."
Cain dismounted, scanning the homes. Doors and shutters were barred. Smoke barely rose from hearths. Fear hung in the air.
"Tell us everything," Cain said.
Eddric swallowed. "It started a week ago. Lights in the woods. People hear voices, see... things. Some livestock's gone mad. Others just vanish. Even the land's sick."
Cain exchanged a glance with Calanthe, who nodded grimly.
"Ley line disruption," she said. "Someone's tampering with it."
Cain asked, "Has anyone entered the woods recently? Any newcomers?"
Eddric shook his head. "Only... only old Marta. Lives on the edge of the woods. Always said she spoke with the spirits."
Cain frowned. "We'll speak with her."
Marta's Hut – Nightfall
Marta's hut was a crooked thing of mud and timber, surrounded by bone charms and bundles of dried herbs. A dozen candles burned in the windows.
Cain approached first, hand ready.
The door creaked open before he could knock.
An old woman, hunched and wrinkled but sharp-eyed, peered out.
"You're too late," she rasped. "It's already begun."
Cain stiffened. "What's begun?"
"The awakening. The Heartstone's cracked. The seals failed."
Calanthe stepped forward. "Who broke the seals?"
Marta shook her head. "Not who. What. The stone itself. Too much strain. Too much magic bent and twisted."
Cain's blood ran cold.
"Show us."
Marta nodded and shuffled inside, returning with a heavy satchel.
Inside lay a piece of obsidian—jagged, humming faintly with residual magic. It pulsed in Cain's hand like a beating heart.
> [Codex Updated: Heartstone Fragments - Leyline Anchors]
"We need to find the source of the corruption," Cain said. "Now."
Marta pointed a gnarled finger eastward.
"Old circle. Deep in the woods. Hidden. Guarded."
Cain tightened his grip on his blade.
"Then that's where we go."
Caerwyn Woods – Midnight
The woods were a labyrinth of blackened trees and mist. The deeper they rode, the thicker the air grew, saturated with raw magic.
Their path eventually led to an ancient clearing where moss-covered stones formed a broken circle.
In the center stood a monolith—cracked, bleeding arcs of unstable magic into the air.
And surrounding it were twisted forms—half-beasts, half-men, corrupted by the energies.
Cain drew his silver blade. "Callum. Calanthe. Formation B."
They moved as one.
Cain charged forward, deflecting a bestial claw swipe and slashing low, severing a leg. Callum flanked left, hammering another creature with shield and blade. Calanthe stood back, casting precise bursts of magic—binding limbs, blasting weak points.
The monsters fought without reason, without strategy.
But the trio fought as a unit—surgical. Relentless.
Cain ducked a leaping beast, drove his blade upward through its ribcage, and turned to parry another attack. His medallion vibrated wildly, warning of a magical surge.
The monolith shuddered—and cracked further.
From the broken stones, a figure emerged.
A being of pure ley energy—shifting between humanoid and spectral beast, eyes burning silver-blue.
> [Boss Encounter: Leyborn Wraith] Weakness: Yrden, Specter Oil
Cain coated his blade swiftly and cast Yrden, anchoring a field around the creature.
It howled, distorted by the trap, and lunged.
Cain met it head-on.
Steel met energy.
Callum joined, striking low while Cain struck high. Calanthe wove binding spells around its limbs, slowing its movements.
Minutes passed in brutal struggle, until Cain finally found his moment—slamming the silver blade through the creature's core as Callum tackled it from behind.
The wraith exploded into a burst of light, sending a shockwave through the clearing.
The monolith's energies stilled.
The woods grew silent once more.
> [Quest Complete: Heartstone Crisis] Reward: 150 Crowns | Fragment of Leywoven Steel | +2 Stat Points
Cain dropped to one knee, panting.
Callum grinned, offering a hand. "Good fight, brother."
Calanthe dusted off her robe, smirking. "Let's not do that every day."
Cain laughed, weak but genuine.