The entrance to the ruins was shrouded in an unnatural stillness. The once-twisting vines that had writhed with corrupted energy now hung limp, their darkened tendrils curling like the shriveled remnants of a storm long passed. Yet the air was heavy with a foreboding presence, as if the walls themselves were watching.
Kael adjusted the grip on his sword, its blade reflecting the faint, flickering light from Elena’s glowing pendant. The bond between them pulsed faintly—a rhythm that resonated in the pit of their chests, reminding them of their shared purpose.
“We’re going back in,” Elena whispered, her voice steady despite the fear clawing at her insides.
Kael gave a short nod. “If this is where it all began, then it’s where we’ll find our way forward.”
They stepped cautiously into the
