Kael and Alyssa traveled in tense silence through the forest, the thick canopy of twisted trees casting eerie shadows on the ground. The air was heavy, suffused with an unnatural chill that seemed to seep into Kael's bones.
"Not much of a conversationalist, are you?" Alyssa broke the silence, her voice tinged with amusement.
Kael glanced at her but said nothing, his thoughts preoccupied with the ruin she had mentioned.
Alyssa sighed dramatically. "Fine, then. I'll carry the conversation. What exactly is a mage of your caliber doing in a backwater like Eldwyn? You don't belong there."
Kael's grip tightened on his staff. "That's none of your concern."
"Oh, but it is," Alyssa replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "If we're to be allies, I need to know what I'm dealing with. Don't worry—I won't pry too much. Just enough to satisfy my curiosity."
Kael stopped abruptly, turning to face her. "Let me make this clear: I don't trust you. You claim to know about the obelisks and the shadow beasts, but you haven't told me why you're so interested in them."
Alyssa's smile faltered for a moment before she composed herself. "Fair enough. Let's just say I have a personal stake in this. The darkness you're fighting isn't just threatening your precious village—it's spreading, infecting everything in its path. I have my reasons for wanting it stopped."
Kael studied her carefully, searching for any hint of deceit. Finally, he nodded. "I'll take you at your word—for now. But if you betray me…"
Alyssa chuckled, raising her hands in mock surrender. "No need for threats, oh mighty mage. I'm on your side. For now."
They reached the edge of the forest by nightfall, where the ruins loomed like a skeleton against the moonlit sky. The structure was ancient, its stones cracked and overgrown with ivy. Strange symbols were etched into the walls, glowing faintly in the darkness.
"This is it," Alyssa said, her voice unusually serious. "The Ruins of Vorthas. Legend says it was once a temple devoted to an ancient god, but it's been abandoned for centuries."
Kael stepped closer, examining the glowing symbols. He recognized some of the runes from his studies—bindings, wards, and seals meant to contain powerful magic.
"These symbols," he muttered, tracing one with his finger. "They're designed to trap something—or someone."
Alyssa's expression darkened. "Exactly. Whatever lies within, it's not friendly. But it's also the source of the obelisk's power. If you want answers, you'll have to go inside."
Kael turned to her. "And what about you?"
"I'll wait out here," Alyssa said, leaning casually against a tree. "I'm not as brave as you, I'm afraid. Besides, someone needs to keep an eye on the entrance."
Kael narrowed his eyes but didn't argue. He suspected she had her own reasons for staying behind, but confronting her would have to wait.
As Kael stepped into the ruins, the air grew colder, and the faint glow of the runes illuminated the narrow corridor. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the sound of his footsteps.
He reached a large chamber at the heart of the ruins, where an ominous altar stood in the center. Above it, a dark crystal hovered, pulsing with an eerie light.
"This must be it," Kael murmured, approaching the altar cautiously.
Suddenly, the air shifted, and a deep voice echoed through the chamber.
"Who dares disturb my slumber?"
Kael spun around, his staff at the ready. A figure materialized from the shadows—a towering humanoid with ashen skin and glowing red eyes. Its body was wrapped in tattered robes, and its hands crackled with dark energy.
"I am Kael," he said, his voice steady despite the tension. "I've come seeking answers about the obelisks and the shadow beasts."
The figure laughed, a low, guttural sound that reverberated through the chamber. "You are brave—or foolish—to confront me. I am Maldrak, guardian of the crystal. Your journey ends here."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "We'll see about that."
The battle was swift and brutal. Maldrak unleashed waves of dark magic, forcing Kael to dodge and counter with precision.
"Arcane Barrier!" Kael shouted, summoning a shimmering shield to deflect a barrage of energy bolts.
Maldrak snarled, raising his hands. "You cannot withstand the power of the void!"
Kael smirked, his confidence unwavering. "Watch me. Starfire Lance!"
A brilliant spear of light formed in Kael's hand, which he hurled at Maldrak. The lance struck true, piercing the guardian's chest and eliciting a roar of pain.
"You'll regret that," Maldrak growled, his form flickering as he gathered more energy.
Kael pressed his advantage, weaving spells with practiced ease. "Chains of Lumina!"
Golden chains erupted from the ground, wrapping around Maldrak and binding him in place.
The guardian struggled against the restraints, his strength waning. "You… are more powerful than I anticipated. But this isn't over."
With a final, defiant roar, Maldrak disintegrated, leaving behind a pool of shadowy mist.
Kael approached the altar cautiously, his gaze fixed on the crystal. It pulsed faintly, its power diminished but not extinguished.
"This is just the beginning," he muttered, reaching out to touch the crystal.
Outside the ruins, Alyssa watched the entrance with a mixture of anticipation and unease. She tapped her foot impatiently, glancing over her shoulder every few minutes.
When Kael finally emerged, his cloak singed and his staff glowing faintly, she raised an eyebrow. "You're alive. Impressive."
Kael ignored her sarcasm. "The crystal is secure, but its power hasn't been fully neutralized. We need to destroy it before it can fall into the wrong hands."
Alyssa's lips curled into a sly smile. "Then it seems our work isn't done. Shall we?"
Kael sighed, adjusting his grip on his staff. "Let's get moving. There's no time to waste."
As they left the ruins, Kael couldn't shake the feeling that their journey was only growing more perilous. The darkness was spreading, and the challenges ahead would test him in ways he had yet to imagine.
End of Chapter 7