Kael Renard paused to adjust the strap of his satchel, feeling the shard pulse faintly within. "It's getting stronger," he muttered, glancing at Lira, who surveyed the crumbling ruins of Varrus with wary eyes. The air was thick with ash, and the sky above was a canvas of muted reds and oranges, casting an eerie glow over the ancient city.
"Good," Lira replied, her voice sharp. "That means we're close." She moved ahead, her steps light despite the uneven terrain. Her twin daggers gleamed at her sides, ready for any threat.
The grand hall stretched before them, its pillars etched with glowing runes that flickered as if alive. Kael slowed, running his fingers over the carvings. "This script—it's older than anything we've seen. The Vault builders must have been here."
Before Lira could respond, a grinding noise echoed through the chamber. Kael's weight had triggered a hidden mechanism. The floor beneath them cracked and began to collapse. "Run!" Lira shouted, grabbing his arm as they sprinted for the far end of the hall. Dust and debris rained down, and they barely made it across before the ground gave way entirely.
Their relief was short-lived. A low whistle pierced the air, followed by the unmistakable thud of arrows. "The Black Suns," Kael hissed, drawing his sword. Lira darted ahead, her movements fluid as she dodged the incoming projectiles. Their attackers emerged from the shadows, cloaked in dark armor and wielding curved blades.
"Keep moving!" Lira yelled, taking down one of the assassins with a precise throw of her dagger. Kael followed, his blade clashing with another enemy's weapon. The shard's glow intensified, casting strange shadows on the walls. Despite the chaos, the duo fought with practiced coordination, their trust evident even in the heat of battle.
They burst into an adjoining corridor, sealing the door behind them. "That was too close," Kael panted. Lira nodded, wiping blood from her blade. "And it's only going to get worse."