The sun hung low in the sky as Cedric and his companions moved away from the ravine, their footsteps heavy with exhaustion. The battle with the land wyrm had left them weary, both physically and mentally, but the quiet unease of the borderlands pressed them onward. The dark magic that had corrupted the creature still lingered in Cedric's mind, a constant reminder that their journey was far from over.
They walked in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. The rocky landscape stretched out before them, barren and unwelcoming, and the horizon seemed to stretch endlessly into the distance.
Finally, it was Maeve who broke the silence. "So, Cedric," she said, her voice carrying its usual spark of humor despite the fatigue. "You think we're going to run into more of those things? Or was that wyrm just a one-time performance?"
Cedric frowned, his gaze distant. "I don't think that was a coincidence. The magic that corrupted it… it's part of something bigger. It's spreading through the land."
Lira, always pragmatic, glanced over at Cedric. "Do you think it's tied to the borderlands? Or something beyond them?"
Cedric shook his head. "I'm not sure. But I don't think the borderlands are the source. They're just a place where the magic is starting to surface. Whatever's behind this… it's deeper than that."
Tamsin, who had been quiet since the battle, spoke up hesitantly. "Do you think it's… something ancient? I've read stories about old magic, buried deep in the earth. Some say it's been lying dormant for centuries, waiting to be awakened."
Cedric considered her words. "It's possible. The magic feels old, twisted. If it's something that's been dormant for that long, then we're dealing with forces we don't fully understand."
Kellen, ever the optimist, smirked. "Great. So we're up against ancient, world-ending magic? No pressure, right?"
Maeve chuckled, though her eyes betrayed her own concern. "Well, if we're going to save the world, we might as well look good doing it."
Lira rolled her eyes but said nothing, her focus still on the path ahead.
---
As they continued walking, Cedric's mind wandered back to the wyrm and the magic that had corrupted it. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were being drawn toward something—something powerful, something dangerous. The corruption wasn't just spreading randomly; it was pulling them in, guiding them toward its source.
"We need to figure out where we're heading next," Lira said, her voice breaking through Cedric's thoughts. "We can't keep wandering the borderlands aimlessly."
Cedric nodded, though the answer wasn't immediately clear. "We need more information. We've been following the corruption, but we don't know where it's coming from. There must be someone—or something—that knows more about what's happening."
Tamsin glanced at Cedric. "Maybe we could find an old archive or a library somewhere. There are bound to be ancient records that might tell us more about the history of the land and this magic."
Kellen stretched his arms, his casual tone masking the tension beneath. "So what you're saying is, instead of fighting monsters, we're going to be reading dusty old books? Sounds like my kind of adventure."
Maeve shot him a look. "I'm sure you'll survive."
Lira folded her arms, her expression serious. "Tamsin's right. If this magic is as old as we think, then there must be records of it somewhere. We just have to figure out where."
Cedric considered their options. They could head south, toward the larger cities, where scholars and mages might have information. Or they could seek out the ancient ruins scattered across the land, places where forgotten magic was often hidden.
"We'll head south," Cedric decided after a moment. "There's a city not far from here—Myrlen. It's known for its libraries and magical scholars. If anyone knows more about this magic, they'll be there."
Lira nodded in agreement. "That's a good place to start."
---
With their destination set, the group continued their journey south. The path grew more defined as they moved closer to civilization, though the air of unease that clung to the borderlands still followed them like a shadow. Cedric could sense the magic lingering in the land, always just out of reach, like a whisper carried on the wind.
As the sun began to set, casting the sky in shades of orange and red, they set up camp in a small clearing just off the road. The fire crackled softly as they gathered around it, the warmth a welcome comfort after the long day of travel.
Kellen, ever quick with a joke, leaned back against a rock and stretched his legs. "So, Cedric, what's the plan when we get to Myrlen? Are we just going to knock on the city gates and ask for directions to the nearest ancient magic problem?"
Maeve snorted. "You'd probably enjoy that."
Cedric smiled faintly. "Something like that. But first, we'll need to find a way into the archives. They're not exactly open to just anyone."
Lira, always the voice of reason, frowned slightly. "We'll need to be careful. If the wrong people find out what we're looking for, it could draw unwanted attention."
Kellen grinned. "Unwanted attention? That's my specialty."
Maeve rolled her eyes. "Let's try to avoid causing any trouble this time."
Cedric leaned back, staring into the flames as the conversation continued around him. He knew Lira was right—entering the city and delving into the archives wouldn't be easy, especially if the corruption they were following was connected to something powerful. But they had no choice. They needed answers, and Myrlen was the best place to start.
As the fire crackled and the stars began to appear in the sky above, Cedric couldn't shake the feeling that their journey was about to take a dangerous turn. The wyrm had been only the beginning, and the dark magic that had corrupted it was still out there, growing stronger.
And soon, they would face it again.