Chapter 14: The Empire's Reach
The ground trembled as the rumbling growl echoed louder, a deep, guttural sound that seemed to vibrate through the very stones of the ruin. Calen's heart pounded in his chest, the weight of the crystal's energy still heavy in his veins. He could feel its pull, relentless and strange, as if it wanted to drag him deeper into its power.
"Get back!" Ronan shouted, his voice sharp with urgency.
Calen stumbled away from the altar, breath ragged as he tried to focus. The crystal had released something—something ancient and powerful—and now it seemed to be drawing the attention of whatever forces the empire had at their disposal.
"We need to leave," Vera said, her voice cold and calculating as always. But even she seemed shaken, her usual composure wavering. "If the empire has found us, we don't have much time."
Calen's mind raced. The visions from the crystal still lingered in his thoughts—flashes of empire soldiers, marching under dark banners. Faces twisted in pain. Battles fought, and lost. He could almost feel the presence of the empire, looming like a shadow over the ruin, a force that would stop at nothing to control this ancient power.
"We can't leave yet," Seris said, her voice steady as she studied the altar. "We need to understand what this crystal is. It's too dangerous to just leave behind."
Vera's eyes flicked to Seris. "We don't have the luxury of time. The empire won't hesitate to send more troops."
"Then we fight," Ronan said grimly, his hand resting on his sword. "But we won't do it blind."
Calen glanced at the crystal again, his mind struggling to make sense of what had just happened. The pull of the crystal was undeniable, but so was the sense of impending danger. They had to make a decision, and quickly.
"We need to leave now," Calen said, his voice sharp with resolve. "We've seen what's here. The empire will come for us, but at least we know what we're up against."
Ronan nodded, his expression grim. "Agreed. But we don't leave empty-handed."
Before Calen could protest, Ronan moved toward the altar, his eyes locked on the crystal. Without hesitation, he reached for it.
The moment Ronan touched the crystal, the ground shook violently. The air crackled with energy as statues lining the ruin's walls began to tremble. The ancient guardians were awakening.
"Move, now!" Vera shouted, drawing her sword as she turned to face the statues.
With a roar, the statues—massive figures made of rock and ancient magic—came to life, their stone limbs grinding together as they advanced on the group. Ronan drew his sword, ready to fight, but Calen knew they couldn't win this battle with force alone.
"We need to get out!" Calen shouted.
Seris summoned a gust of wind, sending one of the statues crashing back into the wall, but there were too many. Their only hope now was escape.
"Run!" Ronan ordered.
The group turned and fled, the statues in hot pursuit. Behind them, the ruin's walls groaned under the weight of ancient magic, the rumbling growing louder with every passing second. The empire was coming. And they had just unleashed something they couldn't control.