They arrived at the Pit. Before the descent, Renny made sure Myla was ready.

"You've got a weapon?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Good," he said. "If we engage in battle, you'll need it."

They moved through the lower market, the sound of trade echoing through the area. When they reached the Map Store, Renny scanned the listings until he found the name they needed.

"Muralen," he muttered. "There."

Renny picked the map from the shelf and unfolded it. Myla leaned closer, reading it aloud. "The Collector's Ring?"

"Yup." Renny tapped the mark. "That's where it's located. And that's why we have this." He rolled the map into his coat pocket.

They left the market behind, weaving through crooked alleys until the river's stench returned. Another vessel waited at the edge of the pier.

Renny stepped onto the plank first, and the boat gave a deep, guttural hum.

"Well, well," it rasped, voice bubbling up from the wood. "Travelers again, eh? Where ya headed?"

"The valley," Renny replied.

The boat went still for a breath, then released a low whistle that might've been laughter. "Oho… bold ones. That road lead many place in the Pit, same as Acheron, but by land. One road take ya straight to the Collector's Rings. But ya mus' be ware the valley. Quiet place, that one. No sound live there. But…" the voice dropped lower... "when ya whisper, it echoes. Any close to ya, they hear. Far ones hear nothin'. That's how folk speak when crossin' it."

***

After a long journey, the boat drifted to a stop and lowered its plank. Renny and Myla stepped off, the boat's laughter fading into the black mist as it pushed back into the river.

Before them stretched the Valley of Dis — a vast expanse of muted green slopes, scattered rocks, and distant mountains veiled in pale haze. The air was unnervingly still.

Renny adjusted his collar, scanning the horizon. "Brace yourself," he murmured. "If what the boat said was true, then we must move carefully. If anything comes for us, we won't hear it till it's too late."

Myla nodded, her expression set.

At the valley's edge, they could still hear each other's voices. But as they walked deeper, the silence thickened until even their footsteps vanished. Only whispers could pass between them now.

Renny tilted his head toward her, voice barely audible. "Why'd you turn down Drovas's help? He looked desperate to stand by you. Why go through the trouble of dragging me in, and the possibility of paying for my help, when you had someone ready to help you for free?"

Myla hesitated, eyes downcast. For a while, she said nothing. Then, quietly, "Because I trust you more. You've been here before. You know this place… better than anyone in our grade. Except maybe the repeats…"

She paused, a faint twitch at the corner of her mouth. "Like yourself. No offense."

Renny's lips curved faintly. "None taken."

They reached a landmark — a wide ring of stones circling a rocky platform etched with ancient markings. In the center stood a slate-like ledger of rock, its face carved with shifting runes and a faintly glowing destination grid.

Myla's eyes lit up. "This is so cool. But… how are we supposed to use it?"

Renny studied the stone in silence, his gaze trailing over the runes until something clicked. "I think I understand it," he murmured.

He pressed his palm to the ledger, sliding the stone markers one by one until the symbols aligned with their destination — The Collector's Ring.

Myla grinned, clearly impressed. "You're a genius."

Renny didn't even look up. "Mm."

The ground gave a faint tremor as the runes flared brighter. Then the stone tablet pulsed once, and an inscription slowly etched itself across its surface.

Circle the ring twice,Right to the twin of stone you bring.Where the twin once stood, not near,Seek the signpost that will appear.

Myla leaned closer to the inscription, eyes narrowing behind her glasses. "Hmm… I'm good with riddles," she muttered, more to herself than to him.

Renny crossed his arms, glancing her way. "Alright then, what does it mean?"

She adjusted her glasses again, studying the glowing lines. "I'm not certain, but... I think, I get it," she said finally. "It's saying we should walk around the circle twice. As we go, pay attention to the platform both times. Once we've seen it twice, we don't go to the platform; we go to where it would be and look for a signpost."

Renny raised an eyebrow. "You're serious? That's your read?"

Myla nodded firmly. "It makes sense."

He sighed, the faintest hint of amusement in his tone. "Alright, riddle expert. Lead the way."

They began circling the formation, walking around the rocky ring twice. Each time, the platform appeared just the same, with no signpost anywhere near it.

Myla frowned, adjusting her glasses. "That's strange… maybe we didn't circle enough."

Renny let out a quiet groan. "Or maybe..."

"Don't worry," she cut in, waving a hand. "Let's just try again."

They circled once more. And once more, nothing changed. The same platform.

Renny rolled his eyes. "You done yet? We'll be here forever at this rate."

Myla huffed, visibly frustrated now. "It has to be right! I'm sure of it."

Renny sighed and rubbed his temple. "Calm down. If we keep at this, we'll never leave this place." He turned back to the inscription, eyes narrowing on the etched words. "Your read wasn't completely wrong… but we're missing something."

She tilted her head. "Missing what?"

He pointed to one of the lines. "'Right to the twin of stone you bring.' That part. When we reach the platform, we're supposed to move right."

Myla blinked. "That doesn't make any sense."

Renny's mouth curved faintly. "Yeah, well… this is Hell. Maybe it's not supposed to."

She sighed. "Fine. Let's try it your way."

They circled again. The moment they reached the platform the second time, Renny turned right, and as they walked, the ground ahead began to shift, rocks sliding aside, dust rolling back, until a narrow, straight path unfolded before them. At its end stood a signpost carved from black stone.

THE COLLECTOR'S RING.

Renny exhaled softly, almost a chuckle. "Would you look at that?"

Myla stared, wide-eyed. "You've got to be kidding me… You were right."

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