The creature's roar shook the air, sending dust cascading from the ancient stones above. Its massive form—part stone, part twisted flesh—charged toward them with terrifying speed. The glow in its eyes intensified, a crimson light pulsating with otherworldly energy.
Kael gripped his sword tighter, stepping forward, ready to face the beast head-on, but before he could act, Eiran's voice cut through the chaos.
"Stay back!" Eiran shouted, his eyes narrowing in determination.
With a flick of his wrist, Eiran's staff surged with bright blue light, crackling with arcane energy. He stepped forward, raising the staff high above his head, his voice booming as he chanted a powerful incantation. The air around them shifted, the weight of magic thickening as Eiran gathered his strength.
Kael watched in awe as Eiran's magic grew, a wave of energy rippling out from him and forcing the creature to halt in its tracks. The beast snarled, confused by the sudden force pressing against it. The stones beneath it cracked as it struggled to move forward, but Eiran's magic held it at bay.
Without hesitation, Eiran thrust his staff toward the creature, and a burst of pure energy shot forward, striking the monster in its chest. The impact sent the beast reeling back, its growls turning into pained shrieks. The glow in its eyes flickered, its strength faltering as Eiran's magic overwhelmed it.
Kael quickly positioned himself to support Eiran, ready to strike should the creature recover. But Eiran's grip on the staff tightened, and he pressed forward, his power surging.
"You won't stop us," Eiran growled, his voice filled with a new sense of authority.
Another bolt of energy blasted from his staff, this time stronger than before, hitting the creature with devastating force. The beast let out one final roar before crumbling into a heap of stone and ash, its magic dissipating into the air. The ruins fell silent.
For a moment, the only sound was the wind whispering through the cracked walls of the ancient city.
Kael stepped forward, placing a hand on Eiran's shoulder. "That was… incredible. You've gotten stronger."
Eiran met his gaze, a small smirk playing on his lips. "You didn't think I could handle it?"
"Not at all," Kael replied, his voice soft but filled with admiration. "I knew you could. You always do."
Their eyes locked for a moment, the tension from the battle still hanging in the air, but something else lingered between them—something unspoken but powerful.
Varya approached, her expression one of awe and relief. "That was a Guardian," she said, her voice hushed. "It was protecting something important."
"The relic," Eiran whispered, his eyes scanning the ruins. "It has to be here."
Without wasting another moment, the group moved deeper into the ruins, guided by the faint pull of magic. The air grew colder as they descended into the heart of the ancient city, the remnants of old spells and long-forgotten wards hanging in the air like cobwebs.
As they reached the center of the ruins, they came upon an altar—old and weathered, but still intact. Resting on top of it was a small, unassuming object, glowing faintly with a soft, pulsing light. The first relic.
Eiran stepped forward, his hand hovering over the relic. "This is it. One of the keys."
Kael stood beside him, his eyes fixed on the relic. "Do you sense anything?"
Eiran nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration. "It's powerful… but it feels dormant. Like it's waiting for something."
Varya examined the altar closely. "We should be careful. Relics like this are often bound to dangerous magic."
Eiran's fingers brushed the surface of the relic, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to shift. A wave of energy passed through the group, filling the air with a palpable sense of power. Eiran's eyes widened as he felt the connection—strong, ancient magic that thrummed with life.
Suddenly, Eiran's expression changed. His eyes darkened as he pulled his hand back, a sharp intake of breath escaping his lips.
"What is it?" Kael asked, concern lacing his voice.
Eiran swallowed hard. "There's something else tied to this relic. A presence… dark, ancient. The Nameless One's essence is still here, hiding in the shadows."
Kael's grip on his sword tightened. "Can you handle it?"
Eiran met his gaze, his eyes filled with both determination and fear. "We have no choice. This is only the beginning. The relics will help us, but they're also linked to the darkness. We have to tread carefully."
As they prepared to leave the ruins, the weight of the task ahead pressed down on all of them. They had the first relic, but there were more to find, and each one would bring them closer to the Nameless One's true power.
Kael placed a hand on Eiran's shoulder, offering silent support. Together, they would face whatever darkness came next.
And no matter what, Kael knew they would stand strong.