Seris, Dain, and the dragon trudged onward toward the ruins, their path winding through a forest now cloaked in silence after the battle. The air buzzed with latent power, as if the trees themselves were holding their breath, watching the trio venture deeper into the unknown.
As they crested a hill, the dragon paused, sniffing the air. "We approach a nexus," it rumbled. "A place where magic flows like rivers. Be on guard."
"Nexus?" Dain asked, an arrow already nocked to his bow. "What's waiting for us there?"
"Knowledge... or death," the dragon said cryptically, then gestured forward with a flick of its tail.
The ruins emerged through the mist like jagged teeth, their stone walls blackened and cracked as if seared by an ancient fire. Vines crept over broken pillars, and the faint glow of runes pulsed across the ground, casting an eerie light.
Seris shivered, the mark on her shoulder flaring with warmth. "This place feels... alive."
"That's because it is," the dragon replied. "The ruins were built to channel the Nexus Flame—an ancient power that might tip the scales in this war. But its guardians will not relinquish it easily."
"Guardians?" Dain repeated, looking uneasy. "Why do I feel like you left that part out on purpose?"
The dragon's grin was unsettling. "Because you would have turned back."
Before they could respond, a low rumble shook the ground. The runes brightened, and from the stone emerged spectral figures—knights clad in translucent armor, their swords gleaming with ethereal fire. Their leader, a towering figure with a horned helm, stepped forward.
"Who dares disturb the Flame of Ages?" his voice echoed, cold and commanding.
"We seek the power to stop the storm threatening our lands," Seris said, stepping forward. Her voice trembled, but she held her ground. "We mean no disrespect."
The spectral knight raised his sword, its flame roaring to life. "Power comes at a cost. Prove yourselves worthy, or perish."
Without warning, the spectral warriors surged forward. Seris raised her blade, meeting their charge, but her steel passed harmlessly through their forms.
"They're not solid!" Dain shouted, his arrows vanishing into their spectral bodies.
"Not solid to mortals," the dragon corrected, stepping forward. "But they are no match for me." With a roar, the dragon unleashed a torrent of golden flames, the magic-infused fire colliding with the spirits and forcing them to momentarily retreat.
"Seris, the mark!" the dragon called. "Channel its power! Use the bond to summon your strength!"
Gritting her teeth, Seris focused on the burning mark. It pulsed in time with her heartbeat, and suddenly, the world seemed to slow. Her blade glowed faintly, then burst into brilliant flame. She slashed at the nearest specter, her strike cutting through its form and dissipating it into shimmering fragments.
Dain's eyes widened. "How are you—?"
"No time!" Seris shouted, spinning to face the next specter. "Fight smarter, not harder!"
Dain adjusted, aiming for the glowing runes on the ground. His arrows struck true, shattering the runic symbols and weakening the spectral knights' movements. Together, the trio pressed forward, their combined efforts driving back the guardians.
Finally, only the leader remained. He raised his blazing sword, his voice a thunderous command. "You fight well, but the Flame does not yield so easily!"
Before he could strike, Seris surged forward, her mark blazing brighter than ever. "I don't need it to yield. I'll earn it!" With a powerful leap, she drove her flaming sword into his chest. The spectral knight staggered, his form flickering, and then shattered like glass.
The ruins fell silent once more, and in the center of the battlefield, a small pedestal rose from the ground. Atop it rested a glowing orb of golden fire, pulsing with raw energy.
"The Nexus Flame," the dragon said reverently. "Take it, Seris. It will bind to you and awaken more of your potential."
Hesitant, Seris stepped forward and reached out. The moment her fingers brushed the flame, it surged into her body, filling her with warmth and strength. Her mark flared, and for a brief moment, her mind was flooded with visions of other battles, other heroes who had carried this power before her.
When the light faded, she stood taller, her sword now etched with glowing runes, its blade exuding a soft golden light.
Dain stared at her, a mixture of awe and concern. "You... you look different."
Seris smiled faintly, the weight of the power settling on her shoulders. "Different or not, we have what we came for. Let's make it count."
The dragon nodded approvingly. "This is only the beginning. With the Nexus Flame, you are stronger—but so are the challenges ahead."
As they left the ruins, Seris felt a renewed sense of purpose. The storm was coming, and with the Nexus Flame coursing through her veins, she vowed to face it head-on, no matter the cost.