***
The underground chamber hummed faintly with residual magic, the air dense and heavy. Anneliese stood at the center, clutching the glowing scroll as her gaze swept over the others. Shadows danced across her face in the dim light, emphasizing the tension etched into her features.
“This scroll isn’t just a map,” Anneliese said, her voice steady but urgent. “It’s a guide to something deeper within the temple; something tied directly to the curse. We can’t leave now.”
Wren, seated on a fallen column, shook her head firmly. Her hands moved with precision as she signed, “We’ve already stayed too long. Every second here increases the risk of being found.”
Hugo crossed his arms, his broad frame imposing as he stood beside Wren. “She has a point,” he said. “If Gertrude’s forces are tracking
