The trio stood at the edge of the clearing, their breaths shallow as the weight of the ruin's presence pressed upon them. Seris hesitated, her heart racing. The voice from the ruins was ethereal, yet intimate, as if it spoke directly to her soul.
"What's wrong?" Dain asked, noticing her unease.
"The voice…" Seris murmured, her gaze fixed on the glowing runes. "It's… calling me."
Dain and the dragon exchanged a glance. "Do you trust it?" the dragon asked, its deep voice cutting through the eerie whispers.
Seris closed her eyes, letting the Flame within her guide her feelings. "I don't know if I trust it, but I feel like… I'm meant to go inside."
The dragon nodded. "Then we proceed. But be wary—ruins like these don't call without a price."
As they stepped closer, the glowing runes began to shift and rearrange themselves, forming a pathway through the maze-like structure. The air was alive with whispers now, each step amplifying the sensation that they were being watched. The light of the runes reflected off the twisted metal walls, casting eerie shadows that danced like living things.
Seris paused at the threshold. She felt the Flame within her surge, as though it recognized the ruins. She reached out and pressed her hand against one of the glowing symbols. The moment her skin touched the surface, the runes flared brighter, and a deep hum reverberated through the air.
Suddenly, the ground beneath them shifted, and the clearing vanished. The trio found themselves standing in a vast, dimly lit chamber. Massive pillars stretched upward into darkness, each carved with the same intricate runes. In the center of the chamber stood a pedestal, atop which rested a small, flickering flame.
"The Nexus Flame," Seris whispered, her voice trembling. She could feel its power resonating with her own, a connection so profound it left her breathless.
But as she took a step toward it, the air grew cold. From the shadows beyond the pillars, figures began to emerge—spectral guardians clad in ancient armor, their eyes glowing the same blue as the runes. They carried weapons forged from the same twisted metal that made up the ruin.
"You have come far," one of the guardians spoke, its voice echoing through the chamber. "But the Flame must be earned. Prove your worth, bearer."
Before Seris could respond, the guardians charged.
"Dain, stay close!" she shouted, drawing her dagger. The dragon roared, its flames illuminating the chamber as it prepared to fight.
The battle was unlike any they had faced before. The spectral guardians moved with unnatural speed, their forms flickering like mirages. Seris felt the Flame within her pulse with urgency, as if guiding her movements. She dodged and parried, her blade glowing faintly as it made contact with the spectral forms.
Dain, though less experienced in combat, held his own, using his agility to evade the guardians' strikes. The dragon unleashed torrents of fire, its flames clashing with the cold energy of the spectral warriors.
Amid the chaos, Seris noticed something—each time a guardian was struck, the runes on its armor dimmed. Realizing this might be the key, she called out, "Focus on the runes! They're their source of power!"
With renewed determination, the trio fought strategically, targeting the glowing symbols on the guardians' armor. One by one, the spectral figures began to fade, their forms dissipating into the air.
When the last guardian fell, the chamber fell silent. The air grew still, and the pedestal in the center of the room began to glow brighter. Seris, battered but resolute, stepped forward.
As she reached for the Nexus Flame, the voice returned, louder and clearer than before. "You have proven yourself, bearer. But beware—power is both a gift and a curse. What lies ahead will test not just your strength, but your heart."
The moment her hand touched the Flame, a surge of energy coursed through her, and a vision filled her mind—a great rift opening in the sky, spilling darkness over the land. A figure stood at the center of the chaos, their eyes burning with the same fiery glow as the Nexus Flame.
Seris gasped and pulled her hand away, trembling. The vision lingered in her mind, a warning she couldn't ignore.
"What did you see?" Dain asked, concern etched on his face.
"Trouble," Seris replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. "The Flame has shown me what's to come. We have to prepare."
The dragon stepped forward, its gaze unwavering. "Then let us leave this place. The Flame is only the beginning. The real challenge lies beyond."
As they turned to leave the chamber, the runes along the walls dimmed, and the ruin seemed to sigh, as if it had fulfilled its purpose. The trio stepped out into the forest once more, the Nexus Flame burning brightly within Seris. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—they could no longer turn back.