# Scanning the Surrounding Area and Entering the Hut
Riven's eyes narrowed as he scanned the surrounding area, his senses on high alert for any signs of danger. Thane stood beside him, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Zarek, meanwhile, had slipped ahead, his eyes scanning the shadows as he searched for any signs of ambush. After a moment, he returned, his face expressionless.
"All clear," he whispered.
Riven nodded, his eyes locked onto the hut. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead.
With Thane beside him, Riven pushed open the door and stepped inside. The hut was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of incense and something else... something earthy and primal.
The elders sat cross-legged on the floor, their eyes closed as if in meditation. Riven's gaze swept the room, taking in the various artifacts and symbols etched into the walls.
As he approached the elders, Riven could feel a strange energy building in the air. It was as if the elders were waiting for him, their wisdom and knowledge at the ready.
One of the elders, a wispy-haired old man with eyes that seemed to see right through Riven, slowly opened his eyes.
"Riven, son of the mountain," the old man whispered, his voice like the rustling of leaves. "We have been expecting you."
Riven's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with questions. What did the elders know? What secrets lay hidden in their ancient wispy haired heads?
Riven's eyes locked onto the wispy-haired old man, his gaze burning with intensity. He knew that the elders held the key to understanding the forces that threatened the mountain, and he was determined to uncover their secrets.
"Arachne and the serpent," Riven whispered, his voice low and urgent. "What do you know of them?"
The old man's eyes seemed to cloud over, his gaze drifting into the distance. "Arachne is an ancient one," he whispered, his voice like the rustling of leaves. "A being of dark magic and twisted power."
Riven's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with questions. "What does she want?" he growled, his voice low and menacing.
The old man's gaze snapped back into focus, his eyes locking onto Riven. "She seeks to claim the mountain's power for herself," he whispered. "To use its ancient magic to further her own twisted goals."
Riven's face twisted in a snarl, his fists clenched at his sides. He knew that he couldn't let Arachne succeed, not without a fight.
"What can we do to stop her?" Riven asked, his voice low and urgent.
The old man's eyes seemed to bore into Riven's soul, his gaze searching for something. "You must defend the mountain's heart," he whispered. "The source of its ancient power."
Riven's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with questions. "Where is it?" he growled, his voice low and menacing.
The old man's gaze drifted off into the distance, his eyes seeming to see right through Riven. "It lies deep within the mountain," he whispered. "Guarded by ancient traps and hidden dangers."
Riven's face twisted in a determined grimace, his jaw clenched in resolve. He knew that he had to defend the mountain's heart, no matter the cost.
"I'll do it," Riven whispered, his voice low and urgent. "I'll defend the mountain's heart with my life."
The old man's eyes snapped back into focus, his gaze locking onto Riven. "You will need all your strength and cunning," he whispered. "Arachne will stop at nothing to claim the mountain's power."
Riven's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with strategies and battle plans. He knew that he had to be prepared, had to anticipate Arachne's every move.
"What can you tell me of Arachne's powers?" Riven asked, his voice low and urgent.
The old man's eyes seemed to cloud over, his gaze drifting into the distance. "She has the power to manipulate darkness and shadow," he whispered. "To create illusions and deceptions that can deceive even the strongest of wills."
Riven's face twisted in a grimace, his mind racing with the implications. He knew that he had to be careful, had to be prepared for Arachne's every trick and deception.