The pre-dawn fog hung thick around Stormgathering Plaza at 4:00 AM, turning the world into a gray soup that made everything beyond 10 meters look like ghostly shapes moving through cotton, The temperature had dropped to about 9°C during the night and the dampness seemed to seep through every layer of clothing, making everyone shiver despite their storm cloaks and travel gear.
This fog is gonna make travel really difficult, can barely see the Runepaths let alone spot potential threats before they're right on top of us.
Alucent stood beside the Steamwagon checking his gear one more time while steam rose from the vehicle's brass boiler and mixed with the fog to create an almost impenetrable wall of vapor, His frock coat was damp from the humidity and his bandaged hand ached where the detection rune had backfired and singed his skin, but his blue eyes were alert despite the early hour.
The Steamwagon itself was an impressive piece of engineering, 5 meters long and built like a fortress on wheels with thick Ironvine wood sides reinforced with brass plates that gleamed even in the dim light, The steam engine hummed with steady power, maintaining about 80°C in the boiler and ready to deliver the speed they desperately needed to reach Iron Vale in time.
"Wheels look solid" Gryan said examining the rune-etched components with professional interest "But this fog could make the mountain roads treacherous, Visibility is down to maybe fifteen meters and the Runepaths are barely glowing through all this moisture"
"The route to Iron Vale follows established trade roads" the Steamwagon driver said, a weathered man with gray hair and hands that were permanently stained with coal dust "Been running these paths for 20 years, fog or no fog, But I cannot promise smooth travel with visibility this poor"
The driver seemed competent enough but Alucent could see worry in his expression, This wasn't normal merchant cargo they were hauling and the man probably sensed that whatever they were heading toward was way more dangerous than standard trade disputes or bandit activity.
"Departure in ten minutes" Sir Vorn announced checking his pocket watch and adjusting his monocle against the fog "The timing remains critical given what we learned about Eloha's accelerated schedule"
They climbed into the Steamwagon's passenger compartment, which was basically a cargo space fitted with Weavefiber seats that cost maybe ten Copperweaves per meter but provided decent comfort for the long journey ahead, The brass-reinforced walls gave them protection against small arms fire though nothing heavier, and small windows let them keep watch for threats even if visibility was terrible.
"Tavin" Alucent said as the boy settled into his seat with the Runetoken clutched in his small hands "Any visions about the route ahead, dangers we should watch for"
"The fog makes everything unclear" Tavin replied. His hazel eyes distant "But I can sense movement in the distance, things that watch and wait for travelers who venture too far from the established paths"
Things that watch and wait, that can't be good news, probably scouts for Eloha's forces or worse.
The Steamwagon lurched into motion with a hiss of steam and the rhythmic chuffing of the engine, brass wheels rolling over the rune-etched paths that connected Stormgathering Plaza to the wider world, The fog swirled around them as they picked up speed, turning the landscape into an endless gray tunnel that seemed to stretch forever in all directions.
"Speed is about 45 kilometers per hour" the driver called back "Should reach the halfway point by noon if the roads stay clear"
45 kilometers per hour through mountain terrain in thick fog, this guy's got nerves of steel or he's completely crazy. In amusement, Alucent thought.
As they traveled, Alucent found himself studying the Voidshard crystal again, its blue glow providing the only clear light in the fog-shrouded compartment, The tactical intelligence was still incredible but he kept thinking about those hidden layers of information that required higher Thread access, Details that might contain critical insights about Eloha's true capabilities.
"I want to try another stabilization approach" he said pulling out his Runequill "Not on the crystal this time, on the Steamwagon itself, The rune-etched wheels could be enhanced to provide better stability and speed"
"The wheels are already properly inscribed" Raya pointed out, her green eyes sharp with concern "And your last attempt at advanced rune work nearly corrupted our only source of intelligence"
"This is different" Alucent protested "Simple stabilization work, Thread 3 techniques applied to mechanical systems, I've done this kind of thing before"
"Not on a moving vehicle traveling at 45 kilometers per hour through fog" she shot back "One mistake and we crash into a tree or off a cliff"
But he was already starting to etch the pattern, confidence in his Thread 3 abilities overriding the caution that experience should have taught him, The stabilization rune was designed to enhance the existing wheel inscriptions and provide better traction and control over rough terrain, nine square centimeters of silver-glowing lines that would integrate with the Steamwagon's mechanical systems.
This is gonna work perfectly, Thread 3 mastery plus mechanical integration, we'll be able to travel way faster and safer.
The rune took shape quickly, maybe too quickly, and as he worked. Alucent could feel the vehicle's motion affecting his precision, The gentle swaying and vibration of travel making it harder to maintain perfect alignment, but his overconfidence kept him from slowing down or taking more care with the critical connection points.
"Alucent" Sir Vorn said, his monocle glinting as he watched the rune develop "The motion is affecting your inscription quality, Perhaps you should wait until we reach stable ground"
"I've got this" Alucent said not pausing even though part of him knew Sir Vorn was right "Silverline mastery means I can handle complex work under difficult conditions"
But even as he said it, he could feel something going wrong with the inscription. The alignment was off by maybe a quarter degree and that tiny error was propagating through the stabilization matrix, The silver glow was building nicely but there was instability creeping in around the edges.
The rune completed with a flash of silver light and immediately integrated with the wheel systems, but instead of the smooth enhancement he'd been expecting there was a brief shudder that ran through the entire vehicle, about half a second of instability that made everyone grab for handholds and the driver curse in languages that weren't entirely printable.
"What in blazes was that?" the driver called back, his voice tight with the kind of fear that comes from almost losing control of several tons of moving machinery.
"Minor adjustment to the wheel enchantments" Alucent said trying to sound more confident than he felt "Should provide better stability once the systems integrate properly"
"It had better" the driver muttered "I have been running these roads for 20 years and that felt like we nearly threw a wheel"
Shit, that was way closer to disaster than I wanted to admit, Thread 3 doesn't make me infallible just gives me access to more dangerous ways to screw up.
But after the initial shudder the stabilization rune seemed to be working, The Steamwagon's motion becoming smoother and more controlled even as they hit rougher patches of the mountain road, The enhanced wheels providing better traction and stability than the original inscriptions.
"It appears to be functioning properly now" Sir Vorn observed "Though I maintain that attempting advanced rune work while in motion represents unnecessary risk"
"The enhancement is quite remarkable actually" Gryan added checking his mechanical arm's integration with the vehicle's systems "I can feel the improved stability through the brass components, Much smoother ride than before"
As they traveled deeper into the fog-shrouded mountains, the landscape around them began to change, The neat Runepaths and cultivated Glowrose gardens of the settled areas giving way to wilder terrain where Ironvine trees loomed 30 meters tall through the gray mist, Their massive trunks disappearing into the fog above like pillars holding up an invisible ceiling.
"Copper Falls should be visible within the hour" the driver called back "Though with this fog we might pass right by without seeing the ruins"
The ruins of Copper Falls, another settlement that had fallen to Eloha's systematic campaign of conquest and corruption, According to the crystal's intelligence it had been a thriving mining community until 6 months ago when coordinated attacks had broken their defenses and scattered the population.
"Tavin" Alucent said "Can your visions tell us anything about what we'll find at the equipment cache, what kind of defenses or guardians might be protecting it"
Tavin's eyes went distant as he touched his Runetoken, the cheap copper disc pulsing with faint light as another vision took hold "I can see the cache" he whispered, his young voice filled with concentration "Hidden beneath the ruins of the old forge, Automated sentries but they are dormant, waiting for proper authorization codes"
"Authorization codes that we possess" Raya said studying the Voidshard crystal "According to this intelligence we should be able to walk right in and take whatever we need"
"Assuming the codes are still valid" Sir Vorn pointed out "And assuming Eloha has not set additional traps since the crystal was last updated"
As they discussed the cache retrieval, Alucent noticed movement in the fog outside the windows, shapes that seemed to pace the Steamwagon just at the edge of visibility, Too coordinated to be animals and too persistent to be coincidence.
"We're being followed" he said, his voice low but urgent "Something in the fog, keeping pace with the wagon"
"I see them too" Raya said. Her hand moving to her Weaveblade's hilt "At least three figures, possibly more, They appear to be maintaining distance but monitoring our progress"
The driver heard the conversation and pushed the steam engine harder, the rhythmic chuffing becoming more rapid as they picked up speed to maybe 50 kilometers per hour, but the figures in the fog matched their acceleration without apparent effort.
"Scouts" Sir Vorn said with his cane crackling with Thread 4 energy "Reporting our position and capabilities to a larger force"
That's really bad news, if Eloha's people know we're coming they can set up ambushes or redirect forces to intercept us before we reach the cache.
The pursuit continued for about 20 minutes, shadowy figures moving through the fog with unnatural grace and coordination, but as they approached a bend in the mountain road the watchers suddenly broke off and disappeared into the mist, Almost like they'd reached some kind of territorial boundary.
"They have withdrawn" Sir Vorn observed "Most curious, as though they were forbidden from proceeding beyond this point"
"Or they've seen enough" Alucent said uneasily "Gathered whatever intelligence they needed and reported back to their commanders"
The fog was starting to thin as they climbed higher into the mountains, revealing glimpses of the landscape ahead, Rocky terrain dotted with the skeletal remains of Ironvine trees that had been killed by Void corruption, their 30-meter trunks standing like monuments to the destruction that had swept through this region.
"Copper Falls ahead" the driver announced as they crested a ridge "What is left of it anyway"
The ruins spread across a valley that had once been green and prosperous, now reduced to scattered stone foundations and the rusted remains of mining equipment, The settlement's Runewell was dark and cracked, its 2-meter diameter filled with stagnant water that reflected the gray sky like a dead eye.
This place used to support maybe 300 people, miners and craftsmen and their families, now it's just broken stone and bad memories.
"The equipment cache should be beneath the main forge" Tavin said consulting the crystal's tactical display "About 200 meters from the settlement center, marked with a Voidshard beacon that only shows up under magical detection"
They stopped the Steamwagon at the edge of the ruins, the engine settling into idle with gentle hissing that seemed unnaturally loud in the dead silence of the destroyed settlement, No birds, no insects, no sounds of life at all, just the wind moving through broken buildings and the distant drip of water from damaged gutters.
"This place gives me the creeps" Alucent said stepping down from the wagon and wrapping his storm cloak more tightly around his shoulders "You can feel the corruption in the air, like everything here is just wrong"
"Void taint lingers for months after direct exposure" Sir Vorn explained "The very stones remember the corruption and echo it back to anyone with magical sensitivity"
As they made their way through the ruins toward the forge location, Alucent kept his Runequill ready and his senses alert for any sign of danger, The fog was clearing enough to provide maybe 30 meters of visibility but shadows seemed to move independently and sounds carried in ways that didn't make sense.
"The forge is ahead" Gryan said pointing to a partially collapsed building that had once housed sophisticated metallurgical equipment "I can see the cache entrance, hidden beneath debris but still accessible"
The equipment cache was exactly where the crystal had indicated, concealed beneath fallen stones and rusted machinery but protected by a Voidshard seal that pulsed with faint blue light when approached with the proper authorization codes, Alucent touched the crystal to the seal and watched as ancient mechanisms activated.
"Access granted" a mechanical voice said as hidden doors slid open "Welcome Commander Thale"
Commander Thale, whoever that was, probably dead for months but seems like his authorization codes still worked.
The cache interior was incredible, rows of weapons and armor that gleamed with Void-touched enchantments, Runesteel blades that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it and protective gear that hummed with Thread 4 level defensive capabilities, Everything they needed to have a real chance against Eloha's enhanced forces.
"Void-touched Runesteel longsword" Raya said examining a weapon that was clearly superior to her current Weaveblade "Balance is perfect and the edge enhancement should cut through normal magical defenses like they were paper"
"Thread 4 resistant armor" Gryan added holding up a breastplate that was sized for his broad shoulders "Lightweight but rated to stop direct attacks from advanced combat runes"
"Purified Voidshard enhancement crystals" Sir Vorn found examining small gems that pulsed with controlled corruption "Temporary Thread advancement lasting approximately one hour, though the risks of exposure remain considerable"
Alucent selected a set of armor that fit his lean frame and a Void-touched dagger that would complement his Runequill, The enhanced gear felt different from normal equipment, heavier with potential and somehow more real than anything he'd used before, Like wearing pieces of concentrated danger.
"Load what we can carry" he said "But don't get greedy, we still need mobility and the Steamwagon has weight limits"
They spent about 30 minutes selecting equipment and loading it into the wagon, choosing items that would provide the biggest tactical advantage without compromising their ability to move fast when necessary, Thread 4 resistant armor for everyone, enhanced weapons that could penetrate advanced defenses, and enough purified Voidshard to give them temporary power boosts when they needed them most.
"Authorization complete" the mechanical voice announced as they prepared to leave "Cache inventory updated, Commander Thale access logged"
The doors sealed themselves as they departed, leaving no trace that anyone had been there, Perfect operational security that would keep Eloha from knowing his supply cache had been compromised until it was way too late to matter.
But as they climbed back into the Steamwagon and prepared to continue toward Iron Vale, Alucent noticed something that made his blood run cold, Fresh tracks in the mud around the cache entrance, footprints that hadn't been there when they arrived, Someone or something had been watching them during the equipment retrieval.
"We had company" he said pointing to the tracks "Recent prints, maybe twenty minutes old"
"Shadebinder tracks" Sir Vorn identified, examining the unusual pattern "Void-corrupted scouts, extremely dangerous and nearly invisible when they choose to be"
Shadebinders, that explains the watchers in the fog, corrupted humans who serve as Eloha's eyes and ears throughout the region.
"They know we have the equipment now" Raya realized, her new Void-touched longsword already in her hand "Will report back to their commanders with complete intelligence about our capabilities"
"Then we move fast" Alucent said climbing into the wagon "Hit Iron Vale before they can adjust their defenses to account for our enhanced gear"
The Steamwagon lurched back into motion, picking up speed as they left the ruins behind and continued north toward their destination, The fog was starting to clear as the sun rose, revealing the mountain landscape in all its corrupted glory, Ironvine forests killed by Void taint and valleys scarred by magical warfare.
"60 kilometers per hour now" the driver called back "Should reach Iron Vale by mid-afternoon if the roads stay clear"
But even as he spoke, there was movement in the treeline ahead, figures emerging from concealment with the kind of coordination that spoke of military training and hostile intent, Three Shadebinders in dark cloaks, their red eyes glowing with Void corruption and Voidshard darts ready in their hands.
"Contact front" Raya shouted as the first dart flew toward the Steamwagon "Shadebinders, at least three of them"
The 5-centimeter Voidshard darts struck the brass reinforcement with sparks and the acrid smell of corrupted metal, each impact lasting about 3 seconds as the Void energy tried to eat through the protective plating, The driver swerved to avoid more projectiles but the attackers were fast, keeping pace with the wagon and adjusting their aim.
"I need to stabilize our movement" Alucent said pulling out his Runequill again "Enhance the wheel runes so we can maintain speed and accuracy"
"Not while we are under attack" Raya protested "Wait until we clear the immediate threat"
But he was already etching the stabilization pattern, driven by the urgency of the situation and his growing confidence in Thread 3 abilities, The rune design was complex, meant to enhance the existing wheel enchantments and provide better control over the vehicle's movement, but working while under fire was making it hard to concentrate.
This has to work, we need every advantage we can get and enhanced mobility could be the difference between escape and capture.
The stabilization rune took shape quickly, silver lines blazing in the foggy air as he channeled Runeforce through his connection to the Steamwagon's mechanical systems, But the motion of the vehicle and the distraction of the attack were affecting his precision, the alignment shifting slightly as another Voidshard dart sparked off the brass plating.
"Rune integration complete" he called out as the silver glow merged with the wheel enchantments "Should give us better control and maybe ten percent more speed"
The enhancement worked immediately, the Steamwagon's handling becoming more responsive and their speed increasing to about 55 kilometers per hour, but there was a slight vibration in the wheels that suggested the rune alignment wasn't perfect, Nothing dangerous but noticeable to anyone paying attention.
"The enhancement is functional" Gryan observed "But I detect minor harmonics in the wheel systems, possibly from hasty inscription work"
Hasty inscription work, story of my life lately, need to slow down and do things right instead of rushing everything.
One of the Shadebinders had gotten close enough to the wagon to be a real threat, its red eyes glowing through the fog as it prepared to throw more Voidshard darts at close range, but Gryan was ready, his enhanced mechanical arm deflecting the projectiles with brass fingers that sparked when they made contact.
"Got it" he called out as his prosthetic knocked a dart aside "But these things are persistent, they will continue pursuit unless we eliminate them or put significant distance between us"
Raya was already moving, her new Void-touched longsword cutting through the fog as she pursued the nearest Shadebinder, The enhanced blade moved like liquid darkness, seeming to bend light around its edge as she closed the distance, but the corrupted scout was fast, moving with unnatural grace through terrain that should have slowed down anyone on foot.
The chase lasted about 10 seconds, Raya's blade coming within centimeters of the Shadebinder's cloak before it dissolved into mist and vanished, leaving only the lingering smell of corruption and the echo of inhuman laughter.
"They have withdrawn" Sir Vorn observed "But they accomplished their objective, gathering intelligence about our route and capabilities"
"How much intelligence?" Alucent asked, though he probably didn't want to know the answer.
"They observed our enhanced equipment, our travel speed, our defensive capabilities and our general destination" Sir Vorn replied grimly "Quite sufficient for planning an effective interception"
So now Eloha knows we're coming, knows what we're carrying, and has time to prepare a proper welcome for us at Iron Vale.
The Steamwagon continued north through landscape that was getting more corrupted with every kilometer, Ironvine forests giving way to twisted trees that looked like they were screaming in permanent agony, valleys filled with stagnant water that reflected no light, mountains scarred by magical warfare that had left permanent wounds in the stone itself.
"The corruption is getting worse" Tavin observed. His Runetoken pulsing faster as they traveled "I can feel it through the visions, like a weight pressing down on everything, making the very air thick and hard to breathe"
"We are approaching the edges of Eloha's primary sphere of influence" Sir Vorn explained "The Void taint becomes more concentrated closer to Iron Vale, affecting everything from plant growth to weather patterns"
About halfway through the journey they passed through what had once been a Green Council checkpoint, a small fortified position where guards had monitored traffic between settlements and provided assistance to travelers in distress, Now it was just burned stone and rusted metal, with one body still visible among the debris.
"Stop the wagon" Alucent said recognizing the green uniform that marked the corpse as a Council guard "We should check for survivors or intelligence"
"That man has been dead for weeks" Raya pointed out "And stopping here exposes us to additional attack"
But Alucent was already climbing down from the wagon, drawn by a sense of duty to the fallen guard and the possibility that the checkpoint might contain useful information, The man had been about 6 feet tall with a full beard, probably in his 40s when he died, and his body showed signs of Voidshard dart wounds.
"Dart wounds" he confirmed examining the corpse "Same as what the Shadebinders were throwing at us, This checkpoint was attacked by the same forces"
"Recent attack" Gryan said checking the body's condition "Maybe two weeks old, which means Eloha's scouts have been operating in this area for some time"
"Long enough to map our likely routes and prepare ambush positions" Sir Vorn added "This checkpoint was probably chosen specifically because it represents a natural stopping point for anyone traveling north"
The dead guard's equipment had been looted but his logbook was still intact, hidden in a concealed pocket that the attackers had missed, Alucent flipped through the pages and found entries that painted a grim picture of the region's decline.
"Listen to this" he said reading from the most recent entries "Day 15, Third Steamwagon this week failed to reach Iron Vale, No word from northern settlements in 10 days, Recommend suspending civilian travel until situation clarifies"
"Day 18, Shadows moving in daylight, tracks that vanish without cause, Request immediate reinforcement from Central Authority"
"Day 20, Communication with Iron Vale completely severed, Last message spoke of siege conditions and requests for evacuation support"
The logbook ended there, probably when the Shadebinders had attacked and killed everyone at the checkpoint, Another data point in Eloha's systematic campaign to isolate and destroy every settlement in the region.
"We should go" Raya said uneasily "This place attracts scavengers and worse, No point in lingering among the dead"
As they climbed back into the Steamwagon and continued their journey, the fog continued to clear and the corruption in the landscape became more obvious, Plants that grew in twisted spirals, rocks that seemed to pulse with their own malevolent heartbeat, streams that ran red with minerals that probably weren't entirely natural.
"Iron Vale is 50 kilometers ahead" the driver announced "But I should warn you, the city has changed considerably since my last visit, Smoke and noise that can be heard from 20 kilometers away, Not the peaceful mining town it used to be"
Smoke and noise, that fits with the crystal's intelligence about mass production facilities and military preparation.
About 20 kilometers from their destination they started seeing the effects of Eloha's industrial operation, Smoke rising from dozens of forges and workshops, the distant sound of hammering and machinery that never stopped, even the Runepaths seemed different here, glowing with unstable light that flickered between normal amber and corrupted red.
"The magical infrastructure is compromised" Sir Vorn observed studying the corrupted Runepaths "Thread energy is being systematically drained and redirected toward Iron Vale, probably to power the mass production facilities"
"And to feed Eloha's Thread 5 enhancement" Tavin added, his visions showing him glimpses of the fortress above the city "I can see him now, drawing power from the entire network to maintain abilities that should be impossible for humans to achieve"
Thread 5 power fed by the magical essence of thousands of people, no wonder he can maintain an army while working on rituals that could reshape reality itself.
As they approached the final ridge before Iron Vale, Alucent could see that his hasty stabilization rune was causing more problems, The slight misalignment was creating vibrations that were getting worse with sustained use, making the Steamwagon shudder every few seconds and putting stress on components that weren't designed for the additional forces.
"The wheel enhancement requires adjustment" Gryan said, his mechanical arm detecting the harmonics through the vehicle's brass framework "The alignment is approximately 0.3 degrees off optimal, causing resonance effects that could lead to component failure"
"I can fix it" Alucent said reaching for his Runequill again.
"No" Raya said firmly grabbing his wrist "You have done enough enhancement for one day, Any more hasty rune work and you will destroy our only means of transport"
"But the vibration is getting worse"
"Then we manage with what we have" she said "Better a slightly unstable wagon than no wagon at all"
She was right of course, his overconfidence had already created one problem and trying to fix it with more rushed rune work would probably make things worse, Sometimes the best approach was to accept minor flaws rather than risk catastrophic failure.
"My Cogspring techniques should suffice for mechanical adjustment" Gryan said pulling out tools from his pack "Steam Path Thread 1, basic repair work that does not require advanced magical intervention"
He spent about ten minutes working on the wheel assembly, his enhanced arm providing the precision needed to adjust the mechanical components without affecting the magical inscriptions, The vibrations smoothed out as he realigned the brass fittings and tightened connections that had worked loose.
"There" he said wiping oil from his hands "Not perfect but stable enough to complete the journey"
As they crested the final ridge, Iron Vale spread out below them in the valley, and it was way worse than anything the crystal had prepared them for, The entire settlement had been transformed into a massive industrial complex, forges burning day and night and filling the air with thick black smoke, Assembly lines visible through open workshop doors, producing Rune-Armors at a rate that seemed impossible.
"Good God" Raya breathed staring at the scene below "That is not a city, that is a weapon factory"
Brass towers rose fifteen meters above the workshops, bristling with defensive weapons and sensor arrays that could detect approaching threats from kilometers away, The original mining town was still there but buried beneath layers of military construction that spoke of months of intensive preparation.
"Population estimate 500 residents" Sir Vorn said studying the tactical display "Plus approximately 200 military personnel and an unknown number of corrupted workers"
500 people living under occupation, probably most of them pressed into service building the weapons that would be used to conquer their neighbors and families.
"The fortress above" Tavin said, his voice distant as visions showed him glimpses of Eloha's stronghold "Carved directly into the mountain, workshops and laboratories and at the very heart the Loom chamber where reality itself bends to his will"
"Approach route Alpha" Alucent said studying the crystal's tactical intelligence "Maintenance tunnel that bypasses most of the fortress defenses, but filled with Void corruption that could kill anyone without Thread 3 protection"
"Extremely hazardous" Sir Vorn agreed "But potentially our only means of reaching the Loom chamber undetected"
As they planned their final approach, the Steamwagon driver was getting increasingly nervous, His hands shaking on the controls as he realized what kind of destination he'd agreed to transport them toward, Normal cargo runs didn't involve military fortresses and Thread 4 level opposition.
"This is as far as I go" he said, his voice tight with fear "Iron Vale's changed too much, those defensive towers will target any unauthorized vehicle that gets within 5 kilometers"
"Fair enough" Alucent said, pulling out 15 Silverweaves and pressing them into the man's hands "Payment for the journey plus compensation for the wheel enhancements, You've earned it"
"The stabilization rune actually improved performance by about twelve percent" the driver admitted "Smoother ride and better fuel efficiency, worth the compensation definitely"
15 Silverweaves for rune work that took maybe 20 minutes, not bad money even if the alignment was slightly off. Scratching the Back of his head as he thought.
They unloaded their gear and watched the Steamwagon disappear back into the fog, leaving them alone on the ridge above Iron Vale with enhanced equipment and tactical intelligence but no way to retreat if things went wrong, The point of no return, everything depending on speed and surprise and whatever tricks they could manage with Thread abilities they have.
"The smog from those forges" Raya observed, studying the industrial complex below "It will provide concealment for our approach but also limit visibility and potentially interfere with magical abilities"
"Void taint in the smoke" Sir Vorn added "Not immediately dangerous but prolonged exposure could cause disorientation and weakness"
"Then we move fast" Alucent said shouldering his pack and checking his new Void-touched dagger "Get in, sabotage the Loom, and get out before the corruption or the defenses can stop us"
As they prepared to descend toward Iron Vale, Tavin's eyes went wide with another vision, this one showing immediate danger rather than distant possibilities "Patrol approaching" he whispered urgently "Rune-Armors, three units, they will reach this position in approximately ten minutes"
Ten minutes to get down the ridge and into the city before Eloha's forces found their observation post, The enhanced equipment would help but they still needed to move fast and stay ahead of pursuit that could coordinate through magical communication networks.
"Move" Alucent said leading the way down the rocky slope toward Iron Vale's smoggy streets "Time to find out if our Thread mastery and Void-touched gears are enough to take on a Thread 5 weavers with an army"
The descent was treacherous, loose stones and patches of corrupted earth that seemed to shift underfoot, but they made good time despite the hazards, reaching the outskirts of Iron Vale just as the patrol crested the ridge they'd vacated, Close timing that meant the difference between successful infiltration and immediate detection.
Iron Vale's streets were choked with smoke from the industrial forges, the air thick and acrid and tasting of metal and corruption, but the smog also provided excellent concealment as they made their way toward the fortress entrance, Shadowy figures moving through a city that had been transformed into something between a factory and a prison.
"The maintenance tunnel entrance" Tavin said, consulting the crystal's tactical display "200 meters ahead, concealed behind what appears to be a normal workshop but actually provides access to the mountain fortress"
200 meters through enemy territory, past guards and patrols and automated defenses, to reach a tunnel filled with Void corruption that might kill them even if they made it that far, The mission was getting more impossible with every step but they were committed now.
"Thread 3 abilities, enhanced equipment, tactical intelligence and desperate courage" Alucent muttered as they approached the workshop that concealed their route to the Loom "Time to find out if that's enough to save the magical infrastructure and stop the end of the world"
The smog swirled around them as they moved through Iron Vale's corrupted streets, concealing them from watchers but also hiding potential threats until they were almost close enough to touch, Each step taking them deeper into enemy territory and closer to a confrontation that would determine the fate of everyone who depended on the Rune Path network.
Behind them the ridge where they'd observed the city disappeared into fog and distance, cutting off their retreat and committing them fully to whatever lay ahead in the depths of Eloha's mountain fortress, The point of no return reached and passed, everything now depending on execution and luck.