The northern mountains loomed before them, dark and imposing under the grey skies. The air was sharp and thin, and an eerie stillness hung over the rocky landscape. Every so often, the wind carried faint whispers that echoed through the cliffs, reminders of the dark magic that lingered here. Haru and his team moved with purpose, their steps steady yet cautious as they approached the area they had seen in Bramble's ritual the path that would lead them to Naome's hidden sanctuary.
The trail twisted up the mountain, narrow and treacherous, with steep drops on either side that plunged into shadowy depths. Rocks jutted out like jagged teeth, and loose gravel crunched underfoot, each step requiring balance and care. Even in her weakened state, Naome had taken the time to protect herself, and they all knew to expect the unexpected.
"Keep alert," Haru murmured, his hand resting on his katana. "Naome knows we're coming. She'll have prepared for this."
Seraphine, her magic thrumming lightly at her fingertips, nodded. "I can feel it. There's a strange energy here, something woven into the air itself."
Nerissa, ever attuned to the natural flow of magic, slowed her pace. She reached out, sensing the trail ahead. "The balance is disturbed here," she said, her voice low. "Naome's magic isn't just dark; it's meant to deceive, to mislead. She's trying to throw us off."
Borgak grunted as he scanned the path, his warhammer at the ready. "Let her try. We're prepared."
They pressed onward, the mountain trail growing narrower, twisting between jagged rocks and towering cliffs. The path took them through a dense forest of twisted trees, their branches bare and gnarled, reaching out like claws in the misty gloom. Shadows clung to the trunks, and the air grew colder, a biting chill that seeped through their clothes.
As they moved deeper into the forest, a sense of wrongness settled over them, a faint unease that made each step feel heavier. The trees seemed to lean closer, their twisted limbs forming a canopy that blocked out the fading daylight. Lirael, her bow at the ready, paused, her keen eyes scanning their surroundings.
"There's something here," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't see it, but I can feel it."
Just as she spoke, a faint sound echoed through the forest a soft rustling, like leaves stirred by an unseen wind. Then, from the shadows, vines began to creep along the ground, slithering toward them with a slow, deliberate motion. The vines were dark and thorny, their edges gleaming with a metallic sheen that suggested they were anything but natural.
"It's a trap," Haru warned, drawing his katana. "Everyone, stay sharp!"
The vines moved faster, twisting and coiling around rocks and tree roots, their thorns growing longer and sharper as they approached. The air around them felt thick with dark energy, a magic that pulsed through the forest like a heartbeat, guiding the vines toward them.
Borgak swung his warhammer, smashing one of the approaching vines to the ground, but more kept coming, winding toward them like snakes. "These things don't stay down!" he growled.
Seraphine raised her hands, her magic flaring as she unleashed a wave of light, burning through several of the vines in a flash of brilliance. But the vines reformed quickly, their thorn-covered lengths multiplying, twisting through the air as they advanced from all sides.
"These vines aren't just enchanted; they're regenerating!" she shouted.
Nerissa, sensing the depth of the magic that fueled the trap, focused her Fey abilities, calling upon the natural world to counter the dark enchantment. She spread her hands, and a faint green glow pulsed from her fingertips, surrounding them with a protective shield of light. The vines recoiled slightly, hesitant to approach the pure energy of her magic.
"It's working, but it won't hold them off for long," Nerissa said, her voice strained. "This magic is persistent. Naome must have poured a lot of power into it."
Lirael nocked an arrow, her eyes scanning the forest floor for a weak spot in the vines. "If they're being controlled, there has to be a source. Something that's feeding them energy."
Haru's eyes narrowed, scanning their surroundings with intensity. "If we can disrupt the magic, we might be able to weaken the trap."
But the vines continued to press in, growing bolder, their thorny lengths snapping like whips as they tried to break through Nerissa's protective shield. Each strike against the barrier sent a shockwave through her magic, and the strain was beginning to show.
"We don't have much time," Seraphine said, her voice tight with urgency.
Haru nodded, his gaze fierce. "We'll split up. Seraphine, Borgak hold them off here. Lirael, Nerissa, and I will try to find the source of the magic and destroy it."
Borgak let out a determined grunt, his warhammer gleaming as he prepared to face the onslaught. "We've got this. Just hurry."
Seraphine took position beside him, her magic sparking to life as she readied herself. "Go. We'll keep them busy."
Haru, Lirael, and Nerissa sprinted into the depths of the forest, following the twisted path of vines as they wove through the trees. The farther they went, the stronger the dark energy grew, its presence like a weight pressing down on them, urging them to turn back.
"There," Lirael whispered, pointing to a cluster of rocks partially hidden beneath the twisting vines. In the centre of the rocks sat a small, dark gem, pulsing with the same eerie glow as the vines.
Nerissa's eyes narrowed as she focused on the gem. "That's it. It's a conduit, channelling Naome's magic into the vines."
Haru stepped forward, his katana gleaming. "Let's end this."
Just as he raised his blade to strike, the vines around the gem sprang to life, forming a barrier of thorns that twisted and writhed, guarding the dark crystal with a vicious intensity. Each thorn glinted with dark energy, ready to strike anyone who dared to approach.
Lirael drew her bow, aiming at the gem. "If I can get a clear shot"
But before she could release her arrow, the thorns lashed out, forcing her to step back. The vines seemed to respond to their movements, twisting and weaving together into a near-impenetrable shield around the crystal.
Haru gritted his teeth, his gaze locked on the dark gem. "We need to distract the vines somehow."
Nerissa, her mind racing, summoned a small burst of Fey magic, sending a pulse of energy toward the vines. The thorns responded instantly, shifting and twisting toward the glow, leaving a narrow opening.
"Now!" she shouted.
Lirael released her arrow, the projectile streaking through the gap and striking the crystal squarely in the center. The gem shattered with a flash of dark light, the fragments scattering as the dark magic within it dissipated.
Back at the clearing, the vines that had been pressing against Seraphine and Borgak shuddered and went limp, their energy draining away as the source of their power was destroyed.
Seraphine lowered her hands, her breathing heavy but relieved. "It's over. The trap is broken."
Borgak grinned, his warhammer resting on his shoulder. "One trap down… two to go."
As the team regrouped, their eyes turned toward the deeper part of the mountain trail. The first of Naome's traps had been dismantled, but the darkness ahead promised even greater challenges. They were prepared, their determination growing stronger with each step.
With renewed resolve, they pressed onward, ready to face whatever else Naome had set in their path.