The next morning, the group broke camp early, the sky just beginning to lighten with the promise of dawn. The chill of the night still clung to the air as Ethan led the way, following Kael's directions toward the ruins that Lyra had spoken of. The forest thickened as they continued eastward, the path narrowing, and the silence of the High Continent pressing in on them.
By midday, the trees began to thin, and the ground beneath their feet turned rocky, patches of charred earth and scorched stones breaking through the forest floor. The air had an acrid scent, as though the land itself had been burned in some ancient fire. Ethan could see the outline of structures in the distance—crumbling walls, broken pillars, and a tall archway that marked the entrance to the ruins.
Kael paused, his eyes scanning the area. "There it is—the ruins of Ashfall," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "We should be cautious. If the relic is here, we're not the only ones who will want it."
Ethan nodded, his senses alert. The ruins felt different from the rest of the High Continent—older, more sinister. The air seemed charged with an energy that made his skin prickle, the mark on his arm warming as if in response to the power that lingered in the place. He glanced at Aria, who gave him a nod, her hand resting on the hilt of her dagger.
Lyra's eyes were sharp, her gaze fixed on the ruins ahead. "We need to move quickly," she said, her voice tight. "The longer we stay out in the open, the more likely it is we'll be seen."
The group moved forward, stepping through the archway and into the ruins. The structures around them were in disarray—walls that had crumbled, roofs that had collapsed, and stone statues worn smooth by time. Vines crawled over the stone, reclaiming what had once been a place of significance, and Ethan could see symbols carved into the walls—symbols that seemed familiar, though he couldn't quite place them.
Kael gestured for them to stop, his eyes narrowed as he studied the ground ahead. "There's something here," he said, pointing to a series of markings on the ground—a series of interconnected circles and lines, etched into the stone. "A ward. It's meant to keep people out."
Ethan knelt, studying the markings. He could feel the energy radiating from them, a barrier that pulsed with a steady rhythm. It was a warning—a sign that whatever lay beyond was protected, and not easily reached. He looked at Kael. "Can you break it?"
Kael nodded, though his expression was wary. "I think so. But it will take time, and we need to be ready for whatever might be guarding the relic."
Lyra exchanged a glance with her companions, then looked back at Ethan. "We'll keep watch. Just get it done."
Kael knelt beside the ward, his mark glowing as he placed his hand over the carvings. Ethan watched as Kael closed his eyes, focusing his energy, the glow from his mark spreading across the lines of the ward. The symbols began to shift, the lines unraveling, and the air around them seemed to vibrate, the tension growing thicker with each passing moment.
Ethan stood beside Aria, his gaze scanning the ruins, every muscle in his body tense. He could feel the weight of the moment—the sense that they were on the brink of something dangerous, something that could change everything. The relic was close, and if the rumors were true, it was powerful enough to alter the course of the Conquest.
A sudden noise echoed through the ruins—a sharp crack, like stone breaking. Ethan turned, his heart pounding as he saw movement—a figure emerging from the shadows of a collapsed building, their eyes locked on the group. They were dressed in dark clothing, their face obscured by a hood, and Ethan knew immediately that they were not alone.
"Get ready!" Ethan called out, his voice urgent. Aria drew her dagger, her eyes narrowing as she moved to stand beside him. Lyra and her companions turned, their weapons drawn, their expressions hardening as more figures emerged from the ruins, surrounding them.
The air was thick with tension, the silence broken only by the sound of their breathing, the faint crackle of energy from Kael as he continued to work on the ward. Ethan could see the figures closing in, their movements deliberate, their intentions clear.
"Who are you?" Ethan demanded, his eyes fixed on the closest figure, his mark glowing as he readied himself for a fight.
The figure stepped forward, their voice cold. "We're here for the relic. Surrender it, and we'll let you leave with your lives."
Ethan clenched his jaw, his eyes flicking to Aria, then to Kael. They couldn't afford to let these people take the relic—not when it could mean the difference between survival and defeat. He raised his hand, the energy of the Ascendant's Gift flowing through him, the light from his mark growing brighter.
"We're not going anywhere," Ethan said, his voice steady. "If you want the relic, you'll have to go through us."
The figure hesitated for a moment, then nodded, their hand moving to the weapon at their side. "So be it."
The battle erupted in an instant—figures lunging from all sides, weapons flashing in the dim light of the ruins. Ethan moved quickly, his shield forming just in time to block a strike aimed at his side. He felt the impact reverberate through his body, his arm aching from the force, but he pushed forward, his energy surging as he released a burst of light, forcing his attacker back.
Aria was a blur of motion, her dagger moving with deadly precision, her strikes finding their marks as she fought off two of the attackers. Lyra and her companions fought with a practiced efficiency, their weapons cutting through the air, their movements coordinated as they held their ground.
Kael remained focused on the ward, his mark glowing brightly as he worked, the lines of the barrier slowly unraveling. He glanced up, his eyes meeting Ethan's for a brief moment, a silent understanding passing between them—they needed to hold out, to give Kael the time he needed to break the ward.
Ethan blocked another strike, his shield flickering as the energy within it wavered. He could feel the strain, the exhaustion beginning to creep in, but he couldn't afford to falter. They were close—so close to the relic, to the power that could change everything.
Suddenly, there was a flash of light, and the ground beneath them seemed to pulse, the energy of the ward breaking apart in a burst of force that sent a shockwave through the ruins. The attackers staggered, their eyes widening in surprise, and Ethan knew that Kael had done it.
Kael stood, his hand resting on the now-broken ward, his eyes filled with determination. "It's open," he said, his voice breathless. "The relic is within reach."
Ethan turned, his gaze locking onto the entrance that had been hidden beyond the ward—a dark passage leading deep into the ruins, the air around it humming with power. He looked at Aria, who nodded, her eyes filled with resolve.
"Let's go," Ethan said, his voice firm. "We're not letting this slip away."
They moved as one, pushing through the attackers, their focus on the passage ahead. The air was thick with energy, the promise of power calling to them, urging them forward. The High Continent was a place of trials, a place where strength was forged through struggle, and Ethan knew that this was their chance—an opportunity to change the game, to gain the power they needed to survive.
Together, they stepped into the darkness, ready to face whatever lay ahead, the relic waiting just beyond, its power within their grasp.