The first rays of dawn broke through the twisted canopy of trees, casting an eerie, golden hue over the forest. The group packed their camp in silence, each of them carrying the weight of the previous night's encounter. The whispers of the wraiths still echoed faintly in Kael's mind, a haunting reminder of the rift's growing reach.
Ardin studied the map, pointing to a thin path leading toward the north. "Eldrin is less than half a day's journey from here. If we keep up the pace, we can reach the outskirts by midday."
"Let's hope the ruins don't greet us with more of last night's surprises," Maris muttered, checking her rifle.
Kael glanced toward the horizon, where dark clouds churned ominously above the direction they were heading. "Eldrin's waiting. We've come too far to turn back now."
---
The Ruins Emerge
By midday, the forest thinned, revealing a barren expanse of cracked earth and jagged rocks. In the distance, the ruins of Eldrin loomed—once a thriving city, now a skeletal shadow of its former self. Shattered towers jutted into the sky like broken teeth, and crumbling walls bore scorch marks that spoke of an ancient, cataclysmic battle.
The group paused at the edge of the wasteland, the oppressive atmosphere pressing down on them.
"Whatever happened here wasn't natural," Ardin said, his voice low.
Maris scanned the area with a wary gaze. "It's like the land itself was… poisoned."
Kael stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Stay close. We don't know what's waiting for us."
As they approached the ruins, the air grew colder. Strange symbols etched into the cracked stones glowed faintly, pulsing with a sickly green light. The ground beneath their feet felt unstable, as if it could collapse at any moment.
Maris knelt to examine one of the glowing symbols. "These markings… they're connected to the rifts. I've seen similar ones in other corrupted areas, but these are older. Much older."
"Older means they might hold answers," Kael said. "Let's keep moving."
---
Echoes of the Past
The ruins were eerily silent, save for the occasional gust of wind that howled through the hollowed buildings. The group moved cautiously, their weapons drawn.
Kael felt the pull of the rift energy growing stronger with each step. It was as if the very air vibrated with an unseen force, tugging at the edges of his consciousness.
"Do you feel that?" Kael asked, glancing at Ardin and Maris.
Ardin nodded, his expression tense. "It's like the rift energy is alive here, watching us."
They reached the city center, where a massive circular platform dominated the landscape. The ground around it was scorched black, and the faint hum of energy filled the air.
Maris approached the platform, her boots kicking up dust. "This must've been the source of whatever destroyed Eldrin."
Kael stepped onto the platform, the energy coursing through it surging in response to his presence. Images flashed in his mind—visions of Eldrin before its fall. He saw people fleeing in terror as a massive rift tore through the sky, unleashing hordes of beasts. A towering figure cloaked in shadow stood at the center, its glowing eyes burning with malice.
Kael staggered back, clutching his head. "The rift… it wasn't just an accident. Something—or someone—caused it."
Maris and Ardin rushed to his side. "What did you see?" Ardin asked.
"Eldrin's fall," Kael said, his voice shaky. "The rift didn't just open—it was summoned. And there was someone controlling it."
---
The Heart of the Ruins
As Kael steadied himself, a low rumble echoed through the ruins. The ground beneath the platform cracked, and green light spilled out, bathing the area in an unearthly glow.
"We've got company!" Maris shouted, raising her rifle.
From the cracks emerged creatures unlike anything they had faced before. Their bodies were made of jagged stone and pulsating energy, their movements slow but deliberate. Their hollow faces seemed to focus on Kael, drawn to the rift energy within him.
"Rift constructs," Ardin muttered. "This just keeps getting better."
The constructs moved toward them, their heavy footsteps shaking the ground. Kael drew his sword, the blade gleaming with rift energy. "Maris, keep your distance. Ardin, flank them. I'll hold their attention."
Maris fired, her shots striking one of the constructs, but the bullets barely left a mark. "These things are tougher than they look!"
Kael charged, his sword cutting through the air. The blade connected with the nearest construct, shattering part of its torso, but the creature didn't falter. Instead, it lashed out with a massive arm, forcing Kael to dodge.
Ardin appeared behind another construct, his daggers slicing at its joints. "Go for the weak points! The energy cores are exposed when they move!"
Kael adjusted his stance, focusing on the glowing core within the construct's chest. With a powerful swing, he pierced the core, causing the creature to collapse in a burst of light.
Maris took aim at another construct, her shot perfectly timed to hit the exposed core. "That's two down!"
The final construct turned its attention to Kael, its movements becoming more erratic as it charged. Kael met its attack head-on, his blade glowing brighter as he channeled his energy. With a final strike, he cleaved the construct in two, the pieces disintegrating into ash.
---
The Hidden Doorway
As the dust settled, the platform began to shift. The cracks widened, revealing a hidden staircase leading deep underground.
Ardin peered into the darkness. "That's inviting."
Kael sheathed his sword, his resolve hardening. "Whatever caused Eldrin's fall is down there. If we want to stop the rifts, we need to find out what's at the heart of this."
Maris hesitated. "Are we sure about this? We don't know what we're walking into."
Kael looked at her, his eyes steady. "We've come this far. If there's a chance to end this, we have to take it."
With that, the group descended into the darkness, the faint glow of the ruins above fading as they ventured deeper into the unknown.