One moment there was nothing, but the moment she stepped through a certain distance it's as if a curtain in reality parted. A wavering distortion filled Carnatia's vision, the phenomenon much stronger near the center where the skull sat inconnuously. Its eyes seemed to aglow with spectral fire that irresistibly attract attention, accompanied by an odd feeling of the relic malevolently staring back despite the skull was placed facing away from her. All her fear and insecurities rose back to the surface, festering doubt gnawing at the mind, and with it the rising urge to turn her rapier around and just fall onto it...

...understandably, the spooked noblewoman hurriedly stepped back. And just as disorientingly instant as it appeared, the influence abruptly ceased once she went out of a certain range. It looked to be around two and a half meter. She'd notice that she had pocketed the gemstones at some point, the mana crystals presumably used to power the golem and the facility in general. It had lost much of its charges after lying out in the open for a while, but one can still extract a decent bit before the stuff crumbled.

Thinking back for the last few seconds, she recalled that her body was on autopilot to follow what she had intended to do while her mind took off to a different direction. She had taken the gems and poked the skull and dagger with her rapier once, the material itself feeling not much different than regular crystal and obsidian but the magic contained within was simplistically primal yet potent nonetheless.

[color=fff79a][b][i]"Ah, my apologies. Seems that the containment structure failed at some point."[/i][/b][/color] The translucent elf reappeared beside Carnatia, notably outside the skull's area of influence. [color=fff79a][b][i]"It is a side project of mine. My brother acquired this interesting piece off an overly ambitious Sarkaz general at one time. You can find my notes on that matter next to it, though unfortunately my effort to destroy it have come short. I was trying to see if I can crack what makes them work, you see. It took a score of mages to even leave a dent on the accursed thing, thankfully for something so unnaturally durable the effect is quite... limited. Regardless, it still kills the fire of determination of those who comes near it, breaking hope and lets sprout doubts. I cannot stop you from taking them, but please treat it with care. If possible find a proper wizard or enchanter and hand them my notes, perhaps someone can finish what I started."[/i][/b][/color] At this moment, not the slightest remain of the so-mentioned dents can be seen on either object. If the ancient mage truly meant it, destroying the artifacts would be a tall proposition... not like it couldn't be utilized in the meantime. 

[color=fff79a][b][i]"As for the obsidian dagger, it is much straightforward. Blood never seems to dry if it rest on the glassy surface, and after given some time resting inside the skull anyone slain with it will temporarily rises again under the limited command of the wielder. Uncouth and barbaric, but I shan't judge."[/i][/b][/color]

After that string of commentary, the illusory elf shrugged before disappearing again. And now, there's the dillema. Take the figurative double-edged sword, or leave it for the next person to reach this room in the future? It certainly can be useful if utilized properly...