The tension between Arlen and Calla was palpable as the group marched through the dense forest toward the temple ruins. Though the map had been reluctantly shared with everyone, Calla remained tight-lipped about its origins or the cryptic note regarding the shard's power.
Arlen, of course, couldn't resist needling her at every opportunity.
"So, Calla," he began, his tone light and teasing. "This map of yours—find it in a treasure chest? Maybe a shady deal in a back alley?"
Calla rolled her eyes. "Would you focus on not tripping over your ego, Arlen? We have bigger things to worry about."
Lyra smirked from the sidelines. "Bigger than Arlen's ego? That's ambitious."
Selene, walking ahead, sighed. "Enough. We're being hunted, remember? Save the bickering for when we're not at risk of dying."
The reminder sobered them, and the group fell into silence.
By mid-afternoon, they reached the edge of the forest. Before them lay a vast, craggy ravine, its steep cliffs dotted with jagged rocks and sparse vegetation. At its heart, nestled among the shadows, was the temple ruins—a sprawling, ancient structure partially collapsed and covered in moss.
"This is it," Calla said, her voice quiet.
Selene frowned. "It looks abandoned."
"That's because it is," Calla replied. "But trust me, appearances can be deceiving."
Arlen surveyed the ruins, his sharp eyes noting faint movements in the shadows. "Deceiving, huh? You're not the only one with secrets, Calla."
Without waiting for a response, he started down the rocky path leading into the ravine.
The temple's entrance loomed before them, an enormous stone archway carved with intricate runes. Selene stepped forward, tracing the symbols with her fingers.
"These runes are old," she murmured. "Pre-Empire, maybe even older."
"Can you read them?" Arlen asked.
She shook her head. "Not completely. But I think they're a warning."
"Of course they are," Lyra said with a grin. "Wouldn't be an adventure without a cursed temple, right?"
Calla shot her a glare. "This isn't a joke, Lyra. If the legends are true, this place is guarded by—"
A low, guttural growl echoed from the shadows, cutting her off.
The group tensed, drawing their weapons as a pair of glowing yellow eyes appeared in the darkness.
"—monsters," Calla finished, her voice barely above a whisper.
The creature stepped into the light, revealing a hulking, wolf-like beast with matted fur and razor-sharp teeth. Its claws scraped against the stone floor as it stalked toward them, saliva dripping from its snarling jaws.
"What is that?" Lyra asked, her daggers poised.
"A Shadowfang," Selene said grimly. "They're drawn to magic. And if there's one, there are more."
As if on cue, more growls sounded from the darkness.
"Fantastic," Arlen muttered, unsheathing his sword. "Alright, let's make this quick."
The Shadowfang lunged, and the battle erupted in chaos.
Arlen met the beast's charge head-on, his sword clashing against its claws in a burst of sparks. He sidestepped a swipe aimed at his throat and countered with a powerful strike, driving the creature back.
Lyra darted around the edges of the fight, her movements a blur as she struck at the Shadowfangs with precision. Selene stood at the center, her staff glowing as she cast protective barriers and sent bursts of light magic into the fray.
Calla, meanwhile, hung back, her crossbow at the ready. Her shots were quick and lethal, each bolt finding its mark in the beasts' vulnerable spots.
Despite their coordination, the Shadowfangs were relentless, their numbers seemingly endless.
"We can't keep this up," Selene shouted, sweat dripping down her face. "There are too many!"
Arlen gritted his teeth. "Then we'll thin the herd. Lyra, cover me!"
Without waiting for a response, he charged deeper into the pack, his sword blazing with energy.
Lyra cursed under her breath but followed, her daggers flashing as she cut down the creatures that tried to flank him.
"What's the plan, fearless leader?" she called out.
"Find their alpha!" Arlen shouted, slashing through a Shadowfang with a single, brutal swing. "Kill it, and the rest will scatter!"
Easier said than done. The alpha emerged moments later, its massive frame dwarfing the other beasts. Its eyes locked onto Arlen, and it let out an earth-shaking roar before charging straight at him.
Arlen braced himself, his sword glowing brighter as he activated a surge of magic. The collision was explosive, the impact sending shockwaves through the temple.
"Arlen!" Selene cried, her barrier faltering under the force of the blast.
"I'm fine!" he yelled back, though his arms trembled from the strain. "Just keep the others off me!"
The battle against the alpha was brutal. Every strike Arlen landed was met with a counterattack, the creature's claws and teeth narrowly missing their mark.
But Arlen's grin only widened.
"Is that all you've got?" he taunted, sidestepping a powerful swipe. "I've fought scarier things in my sleep."
The alpha roared in fury, lunging for him again.
This time, Arlen was ready. With a swift, fluid motion, he dodged the attack and drove his sword deep into the creature's chest.
The alpha let out a final, shuddering growl before collapsing to the ground.
As the remaining Shadowfangs scattered into the darkness, the group regrouped, battered but victorious.
"That was... unpleasant," Lyra said, wiping blood from her daggers.
Selene nodded, her face pale. "We need to be more careful. If this is what guards the entrance, I don't want to imagine what's inside."
Calla stared at the fallen alpha, her expression unreadable.
"Calla," Arlen said, stepping beside her. "You're awfully quiet. Something on your mind?"
She hesitated, then shook her head. "Nothing. Let's just get this over with."
Arlen narrowed his eyes but said nothing.
The group entered the temple, the air inside cool and heavy with the scent of age and decay. The walls were lined with more runes, their faint glow casting eerie shadows across the chamber.
At the center of the room stood a pedestal, atop which rested a small, glowing shard.
"This is it," Calla whispered, her eyes fixed on the shard.
Arlen stepped forward cautiously. "The shard's true power lies in the ruins, huh? Care to explain that part, Calla?"
She didn't answer, her gaze locked on the artifact.
Before anyone could react, the runes on the walls flared to life, and the room began to shake.
"Well," Lyra said, drawing her daggers. "This should be fun."