The temple's eerie silence was broken by the hum of energy as the fragment pulsed in Orin's hand. Its light seemed to shift, casting faint, unsettling shadows on the walls. The group moved cautiously toward the exit, their senses heightened.
Zaria glanced back at the now-empty pedestal where the guardian once stood. "Do you think it was telling the truth? About proving ourselves worthy?"
Nyron twirled his scythe, his eyes scanning the dark corridors ahead. "If by 'worthy,' it meant nearly getting crushed, then yeah, I'd say we passed the test."
Riven chuckled, though it lacked his usual enthusiasm. "We've got the fragment, but I can't shake the feeling we're not alone in here."
Orin tightened his grip on his sword, his gaze sharp. "Stay alert. If something else is here, it'll regret crossing us."
As they navigated the winding halls, the temple seemed to come alive around them. The shadows shifted unnaturally, and a low whispering sound began to echo.
Zaria frowned, her staff glowing faintly as she reached out with her magic. "There's something... watching us. I can't pinpoint it, but it feels malicious."
"Perfect," Nyron said dryly. "Just what we needed—a creepy stalker."
The whispering grew louder, forming incomprehensible words. The air grew colder, and the light from Zaria's staff flickered.
Riven stepped closer to Orin. "You feel that? Like the walls are closing in."
Orin nodded, his jaw set. "Yeah. Whatever's here, it's not friendly."
The group turned a corner and found themselves in a wide chamber with towering statues lining the walls. The exit was visible on the other side, a faint glow marking their path.
"Finally," Riven sighed, stepping forward.
"Wait," Zaria said, holding up a hand. "This feels wrong. The energy here is... different."
As if in response, the statues began to creak, their stone limbs moving. Cracks formed along their surfaces, revealing glowing red veins of energy.
Nyron groaned. "Of course, the statues come to life. Why wouldn't they?"
The nearest statue raised a massive stone hammer and slammed it into the ground, sending a shockwave that nearly knocked the group off their feet.
"Run or fight?" Riven shouted, flames already sparking in his hands.
"Both!" Orin yelled. "Clear a path to the exit—don't let them trap us!"
The group sprang into action. Orin charged forward, his sword glowing as he struck at the nearest statue. The blade cut deep, but the creature barely staggered.
"These things are tough!" Orin shouted, dodging a swing from another statue.
Nyron darted around the room, his shadows coiling around one statue's legs. He yanked hard, causing it to stumble and fall. "Not tough enough for me!"
Riven hurled fireballs at the statues, the flames scorching their surfaces but not stopping their relentless advance. "Zaria, a little help here!"
"I'm working on it!" Zaria replied, her staff glowing as she chanted. The ground beneath one statue erupted in a burst of light, shattering it into rubble.
"Nice one!" Riven called out, dodging another hammer strike.
The group fought their way through the chamber, slowly making progress toward the exit. The statues seemed endless, their numbers overwhelming.
"This isn't working!" Nyron shouted. "We need a better plan!"
Orin gritted his teeth, slashing at another statue. "Zaria, can you collapse the ceiling? Block their path?"
Zaria hesitated. "I can try, but it might bring the whole chamber down on us!"
"Better than getting crushed by them!" Riven yelled, throwing another fireball.
Zaria nodded, her expression determined. She raised her staff, its light intensifying. "Cover me while I prepare the spell!"
The group formed a defensive circle around Zaria as she chanted. The statues pressed closer, their movements faster and more coordinated.
Orin blocked a heavy blow with his sword, sparks flying. "Hurry, Zaria!"
"I'm almost there!" she shouted, sweat dripping down her brow.
Nyron's scythe sliced through another statue, the shadows wrapping around its remains. "No pressure, but they're not slowing down!"
Riven unleashed a burst of flames, forcing the statues back temporarily. "Just a little longer!"
Finally, Zaria's spell reached its peak. She slammed her staff into the ground, and the chamber trembled. Cracks formed along the ceiling, and massive chunks of stone began to fall.
"Run!" Zaria screamed.
The group sprinted toward the exit as the chamber collapsed behind them. Dust and debris filled the air, the sound of crashing stone deafening. They barely made it through the glowing archway before the entire chamber caved in.
Coughing and covered in dust, they emerged into a narrow tunnel.
"Well," Riven said, leaning against the wall, "that was fun. Let's never do it again."
Nyron smirked. "Agreed. Next time, you can fight the statues while I watch."
Zaria shot them both a tired glare. "Let's just keep moving. The sooner we're out of this place, the better."
Orin glanced back at the sealed chamber, his grip tightening on the fragment. "We've come this far. No turning back now."
The group pressed on, the whispers fading behind them, but the sense of being watched remained.