The Road Goes Ever On

Chapter 11

Daphne and Jason spent the next few days catching up as Jason recovered from the troll attack. Daphne described her studies with wise magi and warlocks who had unlocked her innate talents. She in turn was eager to hear of Jason's adventures across Phantasma.

"Helping you liberate that village from the dragon was my proudest moment," Jason admitted after finishing his many tales. "Using my gifts to aid others gives me purpose."

Daphne nodded thoughtfully. "I met a knight on the road who mentioned an ancient temple deep in the Myrwood forest. Legend says it holds a font of magical energy that could be harnessed for great good...or terrible evil. We could seek it out and ensure it remains safeguarded."

Energized by this new quest, Jason readily agreed. That very day, they ventured into the Myrwood, picking their way between massive moss-cloaked trees along forgotten trails. Three days in, a collapsed ravine blocked their path. But Daphne transmuted fallen logs into steps and bridged the chasm with a flick of her wrist. Her skills awed Jason once again.

At sunset on the fifth day, they pushed through into a misty glade. Ahead loomed an imposing stone temple, vines climbing its weathered facade. Torches magically flared to life along the walls as they approached.

Inside, every surface was etched with ancient runes and sigils. Jason and Daphne investigated numerous chambers and tunnels, moving deeper inward. The sanctum's layout seemed designed to confuse and disorient. But eventually they reached a rotunda containing a shadowy well sunk into the floor. Power thrummed just beneath its surface. This had to be the energy font.

Daphne sent a spell orb drifting over the well, illuminating it with soft blue light. "Look there." She pointed to petroglyphs ringing the well, depicting humanoid forms with hands raised skyward. 

"Some kind of worship," Jason deduced. "But what were they venerating?"

A raspy whisper echoed through the chamber: "Me..."

Jason and Daphne froze. A wrinkled crone hobbled out of the gloom. She cackled, voicing crackling with malicious glee. "Foolish children...you have restored my sanctum and brought me sacrifices!"

Shadowy tendrils erupted from the well, snaking around the room to ensnare Jason and Daphne before they could react. The dark energy seeped into their bodies, wracking them with agony. They sank to their knees.

The witch hobbled between her captive prey. "For ages untold I slumbered while my powers waned. But tonight you nourish me...and soon I will reign again!" She lowered her mouth towards Jason's ensnared form, maw opening impossibly wide, needle teeth glistening.

As the witch fed, Jason felt his life force draining away. With the last of his strength he called Daphne's name, desperate to kindle the power within her once more.

In the witch's clutches, Daphne's eyes glowed pure white. Static discharge built in the air. With a primal scream, she unleashed the energy in a blinding torrent of lightning that immolated the screeching witch. The magical bonds restraining them disintegrated. Daphne collapsed, spent.

Jason staggered upright and limped to the well. Fighting through agony, he channeled his healing power. The sensation of wrongness slowly ceased. The sanctum had been cleansed.

They departed the accursed place as the first rays of dawn filtered through the forest canopy, grateful to see light and sky again. Jason was grateful most of all for the brave woman beside him.