The forest was eerily silent after the attack. The only sounds were Lucas's labored breaths and the faint crackle of their dying campfire. The Shadowbinders had vanished, but their presence lingered like a chill in the air.
Eira crouched near the warding stones, inspecting them with a frown. Most had dimmed completely, their protective magic spent.
"We can't stay here," she said, her voice cutting through the quiet. "They'll regroup, and next time, they'll bring more."
Lucas wiped the sweat from his brow, his legs trembling from exhaustion. "Do we even know where we're going? Or are we just running?"
Eira shot him a sharp look but softened when she saw his weary expression. "We're heading toward the Ruins of Avalar. If we can find the Nexus Scrolls, they might give us the edge we need against the curse."
"The Nexus Scrolls?" Lucas asked, trying to focus through his fatigue.
"Ancient texts written by the first mages," Eira explained. "They contain powerful spells and knowledge about the curse. But the ruins are deep in contested territory, and they're crawling with danger."
Lucas sighed. "Of course they are."
Eira smirked, but her eyes remained serious. "Get moving. We'll rest once we've put more distance between us and the Shadowbinders."
The hours dragged on as they navigated through the dense forest. Lucas's body screamed for rest, but he pushed himself to keep up with Eira. She moved with practiced ease, her sharp eyes scanning the shadows for threats.
As the first light of dawn broke through the trees, they stumbled upon a small stream. Eira motioned for Lucas to stop, her hand resting on the hilt of her dagger.
"Wait here," she said, slipping into the underbrush without another word.
Lucas sank to the ground, leaning against his staff. The cool water of the stream tempted him, but he hesitated to drink without Eira's approval. He had learned quickly that she knew more about surviving in this realm than he did.
Minutes later, she returned, carrying a small bundle of herbs and berries. "It's safe. Eat these—they'll help restore some of your energy."
Lucas accepted the food gratefully, though the bitter taste of the herbs made him wince.
"Why do I feel like I'm constantly on the verge of collapsing?" he asked between bites.
"The curse is draining you," Eira said bluntly. "That mark on your wrist isn't just a beacon; it's a tether. The more you tap into its power, the more it feeds off your strength."
Lucas glanced at the glowing sigil, his stomach knotting. "So, what? I'm just supposed to let it kill me slowly?"
"No," Eira said, her tone firm. "That's why we need the Nexus Scrolls. They might have a way to sever the curse's hold on you."
They resumed their journey, the landscape gradually shifting as the forest thinned. By midday, they reached the edge of a rocky plateau, its cliffs offering a breathtaking view of the valley below.
Lucas paused, his eyes widening. In the distance, he could see the ruins Eira had mentioned—a sprawling maze of crumbling stone towers and overgrown courtyards. The air around the ruins shimmered faintly, as if the magic of the place was alive.
"That's Avalar?" he asked.
Eira nodded. "What's left of it. We'll have to be careful—there's no telling what's lurking in there."
Lucas suppressed a shiver. He had read about Avalar in Eldrin's library—a once-thriving city of mages, destroyed during the Great Sundering. Legends spoke of restless spirits and traps designed to keep intruders out.
As they began the descent into the valley, Lucas couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The shadows seemed to move just out of sight, and the wind carried faint whispers that sent chills down his spine.
"Eira," he said quietly. "Do you feel that?"
She stopped, her hand hovering over her dagger. "Yes. Stay close."
The moment she spoke, the ground beneath them trembled. A deep, guttural roar echoed through the valley, and Lucas's heart sank as a massive, hulking figure emerged from the ruins.
The creature was unlike anything he had ever seen—a golem made of stone and twisted vines, its eyes glowing with an unnatural green light. It moved with surprising speed for its size, each step shaking the earth.
"Run!" Eira shouted, grabbing Lucas's arm.
They sprinted toward a cluster of boulders, the golem's heavy footsteps growing louder behind them. Lucas risked a glance back and saw the creature raise one massive arm, hurling a boulder in their direction.
"Down!" Eira yelled, pulling Lucas to the ground as the boulder crashed nearby, sending shards of rock flying.
Lucas scrambled to his feet, panic rising in his chest. "We can't outrun that thing!"
"We don't need to," Eira said, her eyes narrowing. "We just need to outsmart it."
She scanned the terrain quickly, her gaze landing on a narrow ravine ahead. "Over there! If we can lure it into the ravine, it'll get stuck."
Lucas hesitated, his instincts screaming at him to keep running, but he nodded. "Let's do it."
Eira led the way, shouting to get the golem's attention. The creature roared and charged after them, its massive form tearing through the underbrush.
As they reached the ravine, Lucas and Eira split up, darting to opposite sides. The golem hesitated for a moment, confused by their movements, before stepping forward.
"Now!" Eira shouted.
Lucas raised his staff, focusing all his energy into a single spell. A burst of light erupted from the ground beneath the golem, blinding it and causing it to stumble.
Eira threw a vial at the creature's feet, and it exploded in a burst of fire, weakening the ground beneath it. With a deafening crash, the golem fell into the ravine, its roars fading as it was swallowed by the shadows below.
Breathing heavily, Lucas leaned against a boulder, his legs trembling. "Please tell me that's the last one."
Eira smirked, though her eyes betrayed her exhaustion. "Don't get your hopes up."
Lucas managed a weak laugh, the adrenaline fading. Despite the danger, he felt a strange sense of accomplishment. For the first time since leaving Tarlion, he believed they might actually have a chance.