Kael, Elara, and Syra sat in the eerie silence that followed the defeat of the shadowy figure. The clearing was now devoid of the oppressive darkness that had filled it moments ago. The only sound was their ragged breathing as the weight of what they had just experienced began to settle in.
Elara wiped sweat from her brow, her sword resting on her knees. "That... was closer than I'd like to admit," she muttered, glancing at Kael.
Kael, still on the ground, nodded slowly. His body ached from the battle, and his energy was nearly drained. But even through the exhaustion, his mind couldn't rest. The figure's final words echoed in his head: You cannot escape the darkness.
He shook his head, trying to shake off the lingering dread. "This isn't over," he said quietly.
Syra, pale and weary from channeling so much magic, looked up at him. "You're right," she said, her voice heavy with exhaustion. "The Abyss's influence runs deep. What we faced here was just one manifestation of it. There will be more."
Elara stood, her gaze scanning the now peaceful clearing. "We should move before more trouble finds us. There's no telling what else the Abyss has in store."
Kael slowly rose to his feet, his legs wobbling beneath him. His sword, still glowing faintly with residual energy, hummed in his grip. "We need answers," he said firmly. "The altar held some kind of connection to the Abyss, but why? And how many more of these altars are there?"
Syra bit her lip, considering. "The altars are ancient, predating even the oldest records. If we want answers, we need to find someone who knows more about the ancient rituals. There are few left who could help us."
Elara raised an eyebrow. "Who could possibly know more about this? Everyone we've encountered so far seems clueless."
"There is one," Syra replied, her gaze distant. "An old sage who lives far to the east, beyond the mountains. He was once a guardian of the old knowledge before he disappeared into obscurity. If anyone knows about the Abyss's resurgence, it's him."
Kael frowned. "It sounds like our best lead. We'll head there as soon as we're ready. But we need to rest first. We can't face whatever's next in this condition."
They gathered what little supplies they had left, each lost in their thoughts. The recent battle had pushed them to their limits, and the road ahead promised even more danger. The Abyss was not something they could defeat with brute strength alone. They needed knowledge, and they needed it fast.
As the trio prepared to leave, Kael caught sight of something glinting in the faint light from the altar. He walked over, his curiosity piqued, and bent down to pick it up. It was a small, intricately carved amulet, still warm to the touch. Runes similar to those on the altar were etched into its surface.
"What's this?" he muttered, holding it up for the others to see.
Syra's eyes widened when she saw the amulet. "That's... no, it can't be."
Kael glanced at her. "What? What is it?"
"It's an Abyssal Sigil," Syra explained, her voice barely above a whisper. "These were used by high-ranking cultists of the Abyss centuries ago to channel dark energy. But they were all thought to be destroyed."
Elara stepped closer, eyeing the amulet warily. "So why is one still here?"
"That's what worries me," Syra replied. "If this sigil is still active, it means there are others—others who are keeping the Abyss's power alive. We need to find out who."
Kael's grip on the amulet tightened. "Then this journey just got a lot more dangerous. If the cult is still out there, we're not just fighting remnants of the Abyss. We're fighting its followers, too."
The weight of the situation sank in as they silently exchanged glances. They had already faced countless dangers, but the prospect of a living cult keeping the Abyss's influence alive was far worse than they had anticipated.
"Let's go," Kael finally said, pocketing the amulet. "We need to reach the sage as soon as possible."
The trio set off, their footsteps heavy but determined. The mountains loomed ahead, their peaks shrouded in mist. Whatever lay beyond them, they would face it together.
As they journeyed deeper into the wilderness, the sky darkened, and a sense of foreboding settled over them. Kael couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, though every time he turned around, there was nothing but trees and shadows.
Syra walked beside him, her expression tense. "We'll need to be cautious," she warned. "The Abyss's followers are skilled at hiding in plain sight. They could be anywhere."
Elara, who had taken the lead, suddenly stopped. "Speaking of hiding... look."
They followed her gaze to the horizon, where the faint outline of a village appeared. It was small and isolated, nestled at the base of the mountains. But something about it felt... off.
"Should we check it out?" Kael asked, eyeing the village warily.
Syra hesitated. "We're low on supplies, but we can't afford to be reckless. The Abyss's influence could have spread here."
Elara nodded. "We'll have to be careful, but we can't avoid every settlement on the way. We'll take it slow and see what we find."
With that, they cautiously made their way toward the village, unaware of the eyes watching them from the shadows. The Abyss's followers were closer than they thought. And the true battle was only just beginning.