The morning sunlight filtered through the window of Amanda's rented room, casting long shadows across the books scattered on the wooden table. The events of the previous night still echoed in her mind—the Seed's trial, the relentless horde, and the blazing figure that had declared her potential.
But there was no time to dwell. She had to act.
Amanda closed the last of the books she had borrowed from the magic shop, her crimson eyes gleaming with understanding. While the books contained much basic theory, they also hinted at secrets buried in nearby ruins, particularly in the forest outside Eldralith.
"I know where we need to go," she murmured to herself before calling Eryndor and Fenris.
By midday, the trio had left the village, their supplies packed and weapons ready. Amanda led the way, her gaze locked on a crude map she had pieced together from the shopkeeper's cryptic descriptions and the hints within the books.
Eryndor, as always, walked in near silence. His hand rested on his bow, eyes scanning the surroundings for threats. Fenris padded along beside Amanda, his ears flicking at the occasional rustle of leaves.
"So," Eryndor said finally, his tone cautious. "Where exactly are we going?"
"An ancient ruin," Amanda replied, her voice calm but resolute. "The books referenced it as a place of immense magical disturbance. The Seed reacts to power like that. If there's anything of value there, we'll find it."
Fenris growled softly. "This 'Seed' of yours—are you sure it won't get us all killed?"
Amanda glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "Not if we use it first."
The wolf huffed but said nothing more.
The path through the forest was treacherous. Vines and roots twisted across the ground, and the air grew thick with an unnatural stillness the deeper they went. Amanda felt the familiar pull of the Seed within her, tugging her forward like an invisible thread.
"It's close," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Soon, the forest opened into a wide clearing, and before them loomed the ruin. It was a massive stone structure, its surface cracked and overgrown with moss. Faint glyphs glowed along the entrance, pulsing with a rhythm that matched the beat of the Seed in Amanda's chest.
"This is it," she said, stepping closer.
Eryndor knelt, examining the ground. "Footprints. Recently disturbed. Someone's been here."
Amanda narrowed her eyes. "Then we'll deal with them if we have to. Stay alert."
Inside the ruin, the air was heavy with the scent of damp stone and ancient magic. The corridors were narrow, lined with crumbling statues and faded murals depicting battles and rituals long forgotten. The glyphs on the walls flared faintly as Amanda passed, reacting to the Seed's presence.
"What is this place?" Eryndor muttered, his voice echoing.
"A tomb, perhaps," Amanda said. "Or a sanctum. Either way, it holds power. Keep moving."
Deeper they went, their footsteps reverberating through the silence. Soon, they entered a massive chamber at the heart of the ruin. In its center stood an altar, its surface etched with intricate runes that glowed crimson.
Amanda approached cautiously, her hand outstretched. The Seed pulsed violently now, as if trying to escape her chest.
"This is it," she whispered, placing her hand on the altar.
The room exploded with light, and a deafening roar shook the chamber.
From the shadows emerged a massive beast, its form twisted and unnatural. Its body was covered in jagged, blackened scales, and its eyes glowed with a malevolent red light.
"A guardian," Amanda said, stepping back. "It's protecting the altar."
The beast lunged, its claws tearing through the air. Eryndor was the first to react, loosing an arrow that struck the creature's shoulder but did little to slow it.
"Focus on its movements!" Amanda shouted, her aura flaring as she summoned a barrage of fire and lightning. The spells struck the beast, searing its scales, but it roared and charged again, unfazed.
Fenris leapt forward, his fangs sinking into the beast's leg, forcing it to stumble. Eryndor followed up with a flurry of arrows, each aimed at its exposed joints.
Amanda seized the opportunity, channeling the Seed's power. Crimson energy swirled around her, condensing into a spear of pure mana. With a shout, she hurled it at the beast, striking its chest.
The creature howled, its body writhing as the energy consumed it. Finally, with one last, echoing roar, it collapsed, its body disintegrating into ash.
The chamber fell silent once more, save for the crackling of residual energy. Amanda approached the altar again, her heart racing.
The glyphs on its surface began to shift, rearranging themselves into a new pattern. The air grew heavy, and a voice resonated in her mind.
"Bearer of the Seed, you have proven your strength. Take the power within and carve your destiny."
A small crystal appeared on the altar, its surface shimmering with crimson light. Amanda reached out, grasping it. The moment her fingers closed around it, a surge of energy coursed through her body.
Visions flashed before her eyes—glimpses of battles, forgotten knowledge, and the world bending to her will. She gasped, her knees buckling under the weight of the power.
Eryndor caught her before she fell. "What happened?"
Amanda steadied herself, her grip on the crystal firm. "This… this is the key. The Seed is growing stronger."
Fenris eyed her warily. "And what does that mean for us?"
Amanda's lips curled into a faint smile. "It means we're one step closer to reshaping this world."
As they left the ruin, the Seed pulsed quietly, its power settling deeper into Amanda's veins. The path ahead was treacherous, but she had no intention of faltering.