The mist was thicker now, clinging to the ground like a living thing as the trio made their way east. Sam could barely see a few feet ahead, the looming trees fading into shadow. The air was colder here, sharp enough to bite through their cloak. Even Calder, usually so jovial, had fallen silent, his grip on his blade tighter than usual.
"Tell me this gets better," Sam muttered, their voice barely above a whisper.
"Depends on your definition of better," Calder said, his smirk audible even in the gloom. "If you mean fewer shadowbeasts and ancient traps, then no."
Sam groaned. "Why did I even ask?"
Delphine glanced over her shoulder, her expression as unreadable as ever. "Quiet. We're close."
"To what?" Sam asked, though part of them wasn't sure they wanted to know the answer.
Delphine didn't reply, her focus fixed on the faint glow ahead. The box under Sam's arm pulsed softly, its light steady and insistent. The gauntlet hummed faintly, its energy thrumming against their skin.
As they stepped into a clearing, the source of the glow became clear. In the center of the space stood a massive stone monolith, covered in the same runes they'd seen in the ruins. Unlike the ruins, however, these runes pulsed with a sickly red light, their glow casting eerie shadows across the clearing.
"Well," Calder said, his voice low. "That's ominous."
"You think?" Sam said, clutching the box tighter. "What are we supposed to do with that?"
"Destroy it," Delphine said simply, drawing her daggers. "Before it summons something worse."
Sam stared at the monolith, their stomach twisting. The air around it felt wrong, heavy and oppressive, like standing too close to the edge of a cliff. The gauntlet on their hand grew warmer, its glow intensifying as if reacting to the monolith's energy.
"Destroy it, huh?" Sam muttered. "Sure. No problem. Just tell me how to break an ancient magical pillar of doom."
Delphine stepped closer, her daggers gleaming in the red light. "The gauntlet should do it. Focus its energy on the runes."
"Right," Sam said, taking a hesitant step forward. "Because I totally know how to do that."
The box pulsed, its light brightening as if urging them onward. Sam swallowed hard, raising the gauntlet toward the monolith. The runes on the stone flared in response, their glow shifting from red to deep purple. The ground beneath them trembled, and a low, guttural growl echoed through the clearing.
"Uh, guys?" Sam said, their voice shaking. "I think it's mad."
Before anyone could respond, the ground split open, and a massive shadowbeast emerged. It was larger than any they'd faced before, its form rippling with darkness, and its glowing red eyes burned with hatred. It let out a deafening roar, shaking the trees around them.
"Definitely mad," Calder said, unsheathing his blade. "Delphine, keep it distracted. Sam, focus on the monolith!"
"What?" Sam shouted, backing away as the beast lunged at them. "You can't just—"
Calder grabbed their arm, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "Trust us. You've got this."
Sam blinked, startled by the sincerity in his voice. Before they could argue, Calder was gone, charging at the shadowbeast with Delphine close behind. The two moved with practiced precision, their strikes landing in perfect rhythm as they kept the creature at bay.
The box pulsed again, drawing Sam's attention back to the monolith. The runes were glowing brighter now, their light pulsating in time with the beast's movements. Sam took a shaky breath, raising the gauntlet once more.
"Alright," they muttered. "Let's see what you can do."
The gauntlet flared to life, its golden light cutting through the oppressive darkness. Sam focused on the runes, willing the energy toward them. The light arced from the gauntlet to the monolith, striking the stone with a deafening crack. The runes flickered, their glow faltering, and the beast let out an enraged roar.
"You're making it angry!" Calder shouted, dodging a swipe from the creature's claws.
"Good!" Sam yelled back, pouring more energy into the gauntlet. "Maybe it'll take the hint and leave!"
The monolith trembled under the assault, cracks spreading across its surface. The beast thrashed wildly, its movements growing more erratic as the runes dimmed. Delphine landed a precise strike to its leg, and it stumbled, letting out a pained howl.
"Almost there!" Delphine called. "Keep going!"
Sam gritted their teeth, the gauntlet's energy thrumming against their skin. The box's light grew brighter, its pulses syncing with the gauntlet's glow. With one final burst of light, the gauntlet unleashed a beam of energy that struck the monolith dead center. The stone shattered, sending fragments flying as the runes exploded in a burst of golden fire.
The shadowbeast let out a final, mournful cry before dissolving into smoke. The clearing fell silent, save for the faint crackle of energy lingering in the air. Sam collapsed to their knees, gasping for breath as the gauntlet's glow dimmed.
"Is it over?" they asked, their voice trembling.
Calder sheathed his blade, his grin returning. "Looks like it."
Delphine approached the remains of the monolith, her expression grim. "For now. But this was only one conduit. There will be more."
Sam groaned, rubbing their face. "Of course there will."
Delphine turned to them, her tone softer than usual. "You did well. Without the gauntlet, we wouldn't have been able to destroy it."
"Yeah, well," Sam said, glancing at the gauntlet. "Don't get used to it. I'm still figuring this thing out."
Calder clapped them on the back, his grin widening. "You're a natural, kid. Stick with us, and you might just make it out of this alive."
"Gee, thanks," Sam muttered, but a small smile tugged at their lips.
As the trio left the clearing, Sam couldn't help but glance back at the shattered monolith. The golden fire was fading now, leaving behind only scorched earth and lingering shadows. The weight of the Prophecy pressed heavier on their shoulders, but for the first time, they felt a flicker of hope.
"Plan B for destiny," they whispered under their breath. "Let's see where this takes us."