Run: 2026-02-17-01KHNEXN0PMW08HX27FGDR4J33

The Heartstone pulsed warm against Aurora’s chest as she stepped through the shimmering Veil. The air itself seemed to ripple around her like water disturbed by a stone, and for a moment, she felt weightless, suspended in a space that wasn’t quite Earth and wasn’t quite anything else. Beside her, Nyx’s shadowy form flickered, their violet eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. Isolde, ever ethereal, moved ahead with silent grace, her silver hair catching the strange amber glow of the sky above. The ground beneath Aurora’s feet was soft and yielding, like moss, but it glittered faintly, as though embedded with tiny crystals. As she crouched to touch it, she noticed the texture was unlike anything she had ever felt — cool and smooth, yet somehow alive, pulsing gently beneath her fingertips. She straightened quickly, brushing her hands on her jeans, and glanced at Nyx. “Where exactly are we?” she asked, her voice low, almost reverent. “Dymas,” Nyx replied, their voice a whisper that seemed to echo from everywhere and nowhere at once. “A realm of Gluttony. Be cautious. Excess has its own dangers here.” Aurora nodded, her bright blue eyes scanning the horizon. The sky was a warm amber, like liquid honey, streaked with clouds that shimmered faintly gold. In the distance, she could see towering structures — impossible buildings that twisted and coiled like vines, their surfaces smooth and organic, as though grown rather than built. The air was thick with the scent of something sweet and decadent, like caramelized sugar and ripe fruit, but beneath it lingered a faint metallic tang that made her uneasy. Isolde led the way, her bare feet leaving no marks on the glittering ground. Her pale lavender eyes were distant, as though she were seeing something the others could not. “Stay close,” she murmured, her voice melodic but laced with warning. “The paths here are… fluid. What appears before you may not remain so.” As they walked, the landscape shifted subtly around them. The ground beneath their feet changed from glittering moss to smooth, polished stone etched with intricate patterns that seemed to writhe and shift when looked at directly. Strange plants lined their path — towering stalks with bulbous, translucent fruits that pulsed faintly with inner light, and vines that twisted and coiled around each other in hypnotic patterns. Aurora reached out to touch one of the fruits, but Isolde caught her wrist with a surprisingly firm grip. “Do not,” the seer said softly. “Everything here is more than it seems. Even the air can ensnare you if you are not careful.” Aurora pulled her hand back, her heart pounding. She glanced at Nyx, who was observing their surroundings with the detached curiosity of someone who had seen far too much to be easily impressed. “Have you been here before?” she asked. “Once,” Nyx replied. “Long ago. It was different then. More… restrained. But realms of Gluttony are always evolving, always seeking more.” Ahead, the path opened into a vast clearing dominated by a towering fountain. The fountain’s base was carved from a deep, crimson stone that seemed to glow faintly, and from its center rose a column of water that shimmered like liquid gold. The water flowed without sound, defying gravity as it twisted and coiled in impossible shapes before cascading down into the basin below. Around the fountain grew a garden unlike anything Aurora had ever seen. Flowers in hues she couldn’t name bloomed in profusion, their petals shifting colors as she watched. Trees with bark that gleamed like polished metal bore fruits that looked like jewels, perfectly shaped and impossibly bright. “It’s beautiful,” Aurora murmured, unable to keep the awe from her voice. “Beautiful, yes,” Isolde said, her tone cautionary. “But beauty here is often a lure. Do not forget why we’ve come.” Aurora nodded, her hand instinctively touching the Fae-Forged Blade at her side. The cold metal was a grounding presence, a reminder of the dangers they faced. She glanced back at the garden, her gaze lingering on a cluster of flowers that seemed to pulse faintly, as though alive. The scent they gave off was intoxicating, a mix of honey and spice that made her head swim. “We should keep moving,” Nyx said, their voice cutting through her thoughts. “The longer we linger, the stronger its hold on us.” They pressed on, leaving the garden and fountain behind. The path ahead was narrower, lined with tall, crystalline hedges that cast strange, shifting shadows. The air grew warmer, thicker, filled with the heady scent of roasting meat and spiced wine. Aurora’s stomach growled despite herself, and she clenched her fists, forcing herself to focus. The path opened into a grand courtyard filled with long, low tables piled high with food. Platters of roasted meats glistened with juices, bowls of exotic fruits glowed with inner light, and towering cakes decorated with edible flowers and spun sugar stood like works of art. Around the tables, figures moved — some humanoid, others less so, their forms shifting and changing as they reached for the food. Their laughter was a cacophony, a sound that was both joyful and unnerving. “This is a trap,” Nyx said, their voice firm. “Do not partake.” “I wasn’t planning to,” Aurora muttered, though the sight of the food made her mouth water. She tore her gaze away, focusing instead on the far end of the courtyard, where a massive archway led deeper into the realm. As they moved through the courtyard, one of the figures turned to face them. It was a woman with skin the color of polished bronze and eyes like molten gold. She smiled, revealing teeth that were sharp and pointed, and held out a goblet filled with a liquid that shimmered like starlight. “You look hungry,” the woman said, her voice honey-sweet. “Join us.” “We’re not here to feast,” Nyx replied coldly, their violet eyes glowing brighter. The woman’s smile faltered, and her gaze flicked to Isolde. “A seer,” she murmured, her tone shifting. “And you… you carry a Fae blade. Interesting company you keep, shade.” “We’re leaving,” Aurora said firmly, stepping forward. The woman’s gaze snapped to her, and Aurora felt a chill run down her spine as those molten gold eyes met hers. “You wear a Heartstone,” the woman said, her voice soft but edged with something dangerous. “Be careful, little mortal. Not all gifts are freely given.” Before Aurora could respond, Isolde stepped between them, her silver hair catching the light like a shield. “We mean no harm,” the seer said, her voice calm but firm. “Let us pass.” The woman’s smile returned, though it was colder now. “As you wish.” They moved quickly through the courtyard, the sounds of laughter and feasting fading behind them. Aurora’s heart was racing, her hand gripping the Fae blade tightly. She glanced at Nyx, who seemed unperturbed, their shadowy form flickering faintly. “What was that?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “A test,” Nyx replied. “One you passed.” “Barely,” Isolde added, her gaze still distant. “This place will continue to tempt you. Stay focused.” Aurora nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself. The path ahead was darker, the amber sky giving way to a deep indigo streaked with faint silver light. The air was cooler here, though the scent of food lingered faintly, a reminder of the dangers they had left behind. As they walked, the ground beneath their feet became uneven, the smooth stone giving way to something that felt almost like living tissue, pulsing faintly with each step. Aurora tried not to think too hard about it, focusing instead on the faint glow of the Heartstone against her chest. It pulsed in time with her heartbeat, a steady reminder of their purpose. Ahead, the path opened into a vast chamber dominated by a massive throne carved from the same crimson stone as the fountain. The throne was empty, but the air around it was thick with an oppressive, almost suffocating energy. “This is the heart of Dymas,” Nyx said, their voice barely audible. “Be ready.” Aurora’s grip tightened on the Fae blade, her eyes scanning the chamber for any sign of movement. The silence was deafening, broken only by the faint hum of energy that seemed to emanate from the walls themselves. And then, she felt it — a presence, vast and ancient, watching them from the shadows. “Show yourself,” Nyx called, their voice echoing through the chamber. For a moment, there was nothing. Then, the air before them shimmered, and a figure emerged from the darkness — tall and imposing, with eyes that burned like twin suns. “Welcome,” the figure said, their voice resonating with power. “I’ve been expecting you.”