The sky turned crimson as the group ascended Altharion Hill. The steep terrain and sharp rocks blocked their path, a constant reminder that this journey would not be easy. The wind carried the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, mingling with a faint metallic odor that hung in the air. Mist slowly descended, shrouding the hill in an eerie, mysterious atmosphere.
Thalindra walked ahead, her sharp eyes scanning the slippery path. "Stay close. This hill is full of traps," she warned in a firm voice.
Elara, behind her, held a glowing blue orb that emitted a soft light, illuminating their way. "This place feels heavy with energy... It's like something is watching us," she murmured anxiously.
Gerude glanced at Ian, walking beside her. His eyes appeared distant, as if trapped in a world beyond reach. Since they entered the hill, Ian had changed. His steps were uncertain, his gaze vacant, as if hearing something only he could hear. "Ian, are you alright?" Gerude asked, her voice gentle, though there was a clear hint of worry.
Ian turned to her with a small smile, though his eyes remained vacant. "I'm fine. It's just... this place feels strange. But don't worry, I'll stay with you."
Gerude watched him with lingering concern, but she tried to remain calm. Unknowingly, Ian's steps began to slow, his gaze drifting toward something in the thickening mist. Faint whispers reached his ears, subtle calls that gently brushed against his consciousness. Without realizing it, his feet began to move, drawing him away from the group.
Gerude stepped forward absentmindedly, then paused when she felt a strange silence. She turned around, only to find that Ian was no longer beside her. "Ian?" she called out, confusion gripping her heart. She spun around, searching through the dense mist. "Ian, where are you?"
Thalindra, hearing the unease in Gerude's voice, immediately stopped. "What happened?" she asked, her voice tense.
"Ian... he's gone," Gerude replied, her voice rising with panic. "He was here just a moment ago... I don't know when he—"
"Calm down, we'll find him," Thalindra said, trying to stay composed, though her worry was evident on her face. "Elara, use your magic. Find his trail."
Elara nodded and focused her attention on the glowing orb in her hand. The blue light from the orb grew brighter, spreading like ripples in water. "He's not far," Elara murmured, her finger pointing to the left. "I can feel him. Follow me."
Without hesitation, they moved in the direction Elara indicated. Gerude led the way, her steps quickened. "Ian!" she cried, her voice echoing between the rocks and mist.
Meanwhile, Ian wandered farther, consumed by the whispers that were steadily overtaking his mind. Ahead of him, a massive stone emerged from the mist—unlike the others. Its surface was smooth, and faint glowing runes pulsed softly, as though breathing in an unnatural rhythm.
He stopped before the stone, his eyes fixed on the runes, which seemed to come alive, speaking to him. The whispers had now grown into a voice calling his name, vibrating deep within him. Slowly, he extended his hand, drawn by the mysterious power before him.
However, just as his hand was about to touch the stone's surface, Gerude's frantic voice echoed from afar. "Ian! Where are you?!" she called out in distress.
Ian flinched for a moment, but the voice was swallowed by a stronger call, one that only he could hear. His lips moved, but no sound emerged. He was trapped in a new world, a world full of promises he could not resist.
Thalindra and the others finally arrived, but it was too late. Ian stood too close to the stone. "Ian, don't!" Thalindra screamed in anguish, rushing forward, but the sudden gust of wind held her back.
Ereshkigal, in his shadowy form, shot forward with a peak of speed, trying to reach Ian before he was sucked into the portal that had begun to open. But the pull of the vortex was too strong. In an instant, Ian was pulled into the darkness, and the portal snapped shut with a thunderous roar that shook the ground.
"Ian!" Gerude screamed, her voice filled with terror, but all she could do was watch the emptiness where her friend had once stood.
Ereshkigal stood still, his eyes hollow, as though his body had lost all sense of direction. He staggered back, his form returning to its original shape, but a sense of emptiness and helplessness filled him. "No... it can't be..." he whispered, his voice barely audible, swallowed by the hissing wind that whirled around them. He reached out, attempting to grasp something that was already gone, but there was nothing he could do.
Gerude, witnessing everything, staggered backward. Her eyes widened, her body trembling. "No... Ian..." Her voice cracked, filled with a deep, gut-wrenching fear. She ran to where Ian had last stood, but all she found was a chilling emptiness.
With a broken voice, she screamed, "Why... why did he just disappear like that?"
Thalindra, seeing the despair in Gerude's eyes, ran forward, but her voice was lost among her own confusion. "Everyone, stay focused!" she shouted, though in her heart, she knew they were already too late.
Ereshkigal remained standing there, his eyes empty, his body feeling hollow, as if he had lost a part of himself that could never be returned. "I... I failed..." he whispered, his voice filled with unspoken regret and sorrow. Silence enveloped them, and with the closing of the portal, the only thing that remained was an undefined sadness.
**
The tension hung heavy in the air, and amidst the deafening silence, Gerude stood frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief. Ian, the only person left in her life, had suddenly vanished, pulled into a portal that had emerged from the ancient stone. Without warning, without a trace, only an eerie silence followed.
"No…!" Gerude cried, her voice cracking and echoing around them, yet it was swallowed by her confusion. She rushed to the stone inscribed with runes, her steps hurried, but she knew— the closer she got, the more she felt the futility of it. "Ian?!" she called out with a hopeful tone, but there was no response. Only the crushing silence remained.
She turned, her eyes filled with uncontrollable anger. "Why?!" she shouted, her voice rising in frustration. "Why could he just disappear like that?!" She took a step back, gasping for breath, trapped between rage and fear. "Ian…" she whispered, her voice trembling with a fear that could no longer be concealed.
Ereshkigal, who had been standing quietly until now, finally moved closer. Her face was filled with confusion, yet Gerude could not suppress her frustration. "This is your fault!" Gerude's voice quivered, but it was loud. "You should have protected Ian! You… you're his famulus! Why did you let him be sucked into that portal?!" Her words struck like a harsh command from the depths of her heart.
Ereshkigal was startled, her body stiff. "I... I didn't know," she said, her voice broken, though her heart felt shattered. "I couldn't stop him. We don't know what's hidden behind that stone. I didn't know..." Ereshkigal tried to explain, but her words were blunt and weak.
Gerude, who had held everything in for too long, exploded. "You didn't know?!" she shouted, her voice full of burning sorrow. "You failed! You failed to protect Ian! He... he's the only family I have left, Ereshkigal! You were supposed to protect him, not let him be sucked away like that! You don't know what it's like… losing someone you love, losing my parents, and now..." Gerude stopped, her breath faltering. "Now Ian!"
Gerude's words struck like a knife, and Ereshkigal felt her heart torn. "Gerude... I didn't want this to happen! I know you're worried, but I..." she tried to soothe her, but Gerude wouldn't give her a chance.
"No!" Gerude shuddered, her eyes filled with rage and tears she could no longer hold back. "I don't want to hear your excuses! I don't want to know! Ian… Ian must be in danger right now!" Her sobs broke through, her voice trembling with a sorrow that shook the very air. "I'm scared, Ereshkigal… I'm so scared! I've lost too much already, and now I'm going to lose Ian too! I... I'm scared to be alone!"
The atmosphere grew heavier, and amidst the grief, Helel, who had been silent until now, finally stepped forward. His voice was firm, almost commanding, yet still carried an undertone of concern. "Enough, Gerude," he said, his voice calm yet authoritative. "We're all in the same situation. We're all confused, we're all worried about Ian. But now is not the time for blaming each other. Nothing can change what has already happened."
Gerude turned with tear-filled eyes. "I... I can't lose Ian! I can't..." Her words almost broke off, her body trembling as she lost her balance. "You don't understand, Helel! I've lost so many people! Gorgoyle, Siccyl, my parents... And now, my only remaining family just disappears like that!"
Ereshkigal, despite being bombarded with anger, still tried to control herself. "I don't know what happened. I couldn't stop Ian, Gerude. We all tried, and we need to find a way to bring him back, together!"
But Gerude glared at her with eyes full of hatred and despair. "You failed, Ereshkigal! You failed to protect him!"
As the tension reached its peak, Thalindra finally stepped forward, raising a hand to calm the chaos, her voice gentle yet full of authority. "Enough!" she said, her words slicing through the emotional storm that filled the air. "Gerude, Ereshkigal, stop. We can't keep blaming each other. No one will win this argument." She looked at Gerude, her eyes full of empathy. "I know this is hard. We all know. But we must work together to bring Ian back. Blaming each other won't help."
Gerude bit her lip, tears still streaming down her face. "I don't know what else to do…" she said in a broken voice, her body trembling as if losing all strength. "I'm scared, Thalindra."
Thalindra stepped closer and gently placed a hand on Gerude's shoulder. "We're all scared, Gerude. But you're not alone. Ian will come back, I promise." Her voice was firm, yet filled with warmth, trying to offer a glimmer of light in the darkness.
Elara, who also looked worried, nodded in agreement. "We're all in this together. We'll find him. We won't let anyone slip away."
Ereshkigal stood motionless, feeling a storm of emotions crashing against her. Anger, sorrow, disappointment, worry, anxiety, and heartbreak mixed into one, causing her chest to tighten. For the first time in her existence as a being of darkness, she felt something she had never understood before—pain not born of physical wounds, but from words and emotions. Gerude's words hit her like thorns, driving deep inside, forcing her to face the reality that she might not fully understand what "family" truly means.
Her eyes, usually cold, now burned with intensity. She took a deep breath, her voice low and flat, almost devoid of emotion, yet full of fierce determination. "I will bring Ian back," she said, each word feeling like an unbreakable promise.
Without waiting for any response or approval, Ereshkigal turned. With a swift and fluid motion, her body melded with the shadows around her, disappearing in an instant. All that remained was the trace of her dark aura—like a storm cloud hanging in the air, swirling slowly before fading away with the mist of Altharion Hill. The air grew colder after her departure, and the group was left in a heavy silence.
Thalindra sighed deeply, her gaze fixed on the spot where Ereshkigal had vanished. She understood the pain Ereshkigal was feeling, even though the creature had never revealed any weakness before. "She'll be back," Thalindra said softly, almost as if speaking to herself, but loud enough for the others to hear.
Elara remained silent, the blue light orb in her hand faintly trembling. Her expression was filled with doubt and concern, but she said nothing. Her eyes were fixed on Gerude, who could no longer hold back her tears.
Gerude, once consumed with anger, now crumbled in sorrow that she could no longer hold back. She dropped to her knees, her hands covering her tear-streaked face. Her sobs broke free, filling the silence between them. "I... I couldn't protect him," she said through choked sobs. "I always fail. Our parents, Siccyl, Gorgoyle... and now Ian. I can't protect anyone. I keep losing them…"
Helel, who had been silent, stepped closer. He knelt beside Gerude and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. "Gerude," he said softly, his voice full of sincerity. "You're not alone. You have me, you have Thalindra, you have Elara. And we'll do whatever it takes to bring Ian back. We'll get through this together."
Gerude clung to Helel anxiously, her body trembling beneath his dark cloak. Her sobs were loud, as if the weight of the world rested on her shoulders. Helel remained still, allowing his mistress to release all her grief. His hand moved slowly, gently rubbing Gerude's back, trying to offer some comfort in the heavy silence.
"I'm here…" he whispered, his voice barely audible, deep like his own vow. "No one will leave you alone."
Gerude clutched Helel's cloak tighter, as if letting go even slightly would pull her deeper into the shattered world around her. "I just… I just want everything to go back to the way it was. I want Ian back," she sobbed, her voice filled with desperation.
Helel lowered his head and nodded slightly, though his heart felt crushed. Without saying another word, he drew Gerude closer, their bodies merging in the silence, full of pain. "We'll find him, Gerude," he said with a firm conviction, though hidden sorrow lingered behind his words. "No matter what happens, I will bring him back. I promise."
Gerude closed her eyes, trying to calm herself, though the tears continued to flow endlessly. In that embrace, Helel felt just how fragile his mistress had become. Gerude, once the pillar of strength for others, now shattered by a loss so deep.
In the distance, Thalindra and Elara stood, giving them space, yet their own concern was palpable. Thalindra looked at Gerude and Helel before turning, her eyes sharp as she gazed at the spot where Ian had disappeared. Elara stood beside her, the blue light orb she had created glowing softly, providing a faint glow in the silence.
"The portal was very old," Thalindra finally said, her voice flat but laced with concern. "Not many can create something like that. The energy I felt... it was full of ancient power, as if the portal itself were alive."
Elara nodded faintly, her expression full of doubt. "I felt it too. But there's something wrong with that energy. It seems tainted by something darker... corrupted."
Thalindra squinted. "Darkness… is that what made Ereshkigal react like she did?"
Elara fell silent, thinking for a moment. "Maybe. Ereshkigal is a creature of darkness, but there's a difference between the darkness that is part of her and the darkness that corrupts something. That portal might connect us to something much darker, and... more dangerous."
Thalindra pressed her lips together. "And Ian was sucked into it just like that, without protection."
Thalindra's gaze was filled with resolve, yet also concern. "We need to track that portal, no matter what. If we don't, we won't know where to begin looking for Ian."
Elara raised her hand, the blue orb in the air began to spin, growing brighter, as if responding to their resolve. "I'll try to read the energy trail from the portal. But it will be very difficult. The energy is too unstable…"
Thalindra watched her closely. "Do whatever you can. We don't have much time."
**
Elara slowly opened her eyes, her face pale and exhausted. The blue light that had been shining so brightly had now faded, leaving only a faint shimmer before it completely vanished. "I failed," she said, frustration evident in her voice. "The portal's energy is too unstable. Its trace is gone, just like that."
Thalindra nodded, gazing at Elara with understanding, though her heart was heavy with disappointment. "You did your best."
They walked back toward Gerude and Helel. Gerude still looked worn out, her eyes swollen, while Helel remained watchful, ensuring his master felt safe. Thalindra stopped in front of them, her tone firm yet gentle. "Gerude, we can't stay here. This hill is too dangerous."
Gerude hesitated. "But what if Ian comes back? What if he finds a way out, and we're not here? I can't leave this place."
Elara stepped forward. "A portal like that doesn't work like a regular door. If Ian emerges, he'll appear far away, not here."
Gerude looked shaken, but she knew Elara was right. She opened her mouth to argue, but Helel gently touched her arm. "Gerude," Helel's voice was soft but full of conviction. "If we stay here, we're just wasting time. Ian might be somewhere on this hill. We need to search, not wait."
Gerude looked at Helel, her eyes filled with doubt, but the words began to sink in. Slowly, she gripped Helel's arm, drawing strength from her familiar. "But what if we don't find him?" she whispered.
Helel met her gaze, his eyes filled with certainty. "We'll find him. I promise."
Gerude sighed deeply, wiping away the remaining tears. "Alright. We'll continue our journey. But I won't stop searching for Ian. I won't give up."
Thalindra gave a faint smile. "We won't give up, Gerude. Ian is one of us. We'll search for him, no matter what."
**
The remaining group trudged slowly toward the summit of Altharion Hill. Every step felt heavy, the pressure on their hearts growing with each passing moment, compounded by the slippery, treacherous rocky path. The air around them grew colder, biting into their skin. The mist, which had been thin before, now thickened, wrapping around them tightly.
A faint sound began to echo through the air. At first, it seemed like the whisper of the wind, but as they moved forward, the sound changed into laughter—low, sly, and reverberating as though it came from every direction. The laughter pierced their heads, sending shivers down their spines. Thalindra stopped, raising her hand in a gesture for everyone to halt.
"There's something here," she muttered, her eyes sweeping the mist that enveloped the path ahead.
An odd smell carried on the wind—a sharp, metallic scent mixed with rot, like meat long past its decay. The stench was so strong it made their stomachs churn and their heads feel light. Elara covered her nose, her face pale. "This smell... it's unnatural," she whispered.
Gerude stared straight ahead, trying to ignore the creeping cold that touched her skin, like invisible fingers brushing against her. She rubbed her arms, trying to shake off the sensation, but it was in vain.
Suddenly, the laughter stopped. An eerie silence filled the air, so profound that even the wind seemed to still. From the thick mist, a shadow slowly emerged. Tall, thin, with eyes glowing red like burning embers. The figure was cloaked, its robes moving as though alive, each movement making the air around it tremble.
"Ah, foolish wanderers," the voice echoed, slick and mocking. "This hill is not for you. But... perhaps I can have a little fun."
Elara began to chant a protective spell, her hands trembling. A ball of blue light appeared, though this time it was dimmer, as if fearful of the creature's presence. "Who are you?" Elara asked, her voice firm, though her fear was clear.
The figure didn't answer, only laughed again, its voice cutting through the silence, reverberating and causing their heads to throb.
Helel stepped forward, standing protectively in front of Gerude, who was starting to tremble. "Whoever you are, we're not afraid of you," he said, though his jaw was tight.
"Not afraid?" The voice mocked, imitating Helel. The figure took a step forward, the mist parting beneath its feet, revealing cracked, decaying earth. "You'll learn... that fear is part of the game."
**
Elara, Thalindra, Helel, and Gerude were ready to fight. Gerude stood behind Helel, her eyes red from crying, but now filled with resolve. Thalindra and Elara silently prepared their magical powers, though fear gnawed at their hearts. The dark fog that enveloped them slowly dissipated, swept away by a cold wind that carried a foul stench.
Soon, the figure appeared—Kharzael, the Lord of Suffering. A massive demon with curved black horns, gleaming obsidian skin, and eyes burning red. An unspeakable aura of suffering surrounded him.
Helel ground his teeth. "Kharzael..." he muttered, recognizing the figure.
Kharzael smiled widely, a sneer full of mockery. "Ah, what extraordinary guests," he said, his voice soft but painful. "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Kharzael, the Lord of Suffering. Your struggle has led you to meet me."
Thalindra furrowed her brow. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Kharzael chuckled lightly. "I want to see how long you can endure," he said, stamping the ground beneath him, causing it to crack. "I know your fear, and I offer you a choice—surrender or fight."
Helel stepped forward, ready to attack. "You're just a demon! You don't understand true suffering!" he shouted, his eyes burning with rage.
Kharzael vanished as quickly as a shadow, making the air around them feel heavier. In an instant, the demon appeared right in front of Gerude, as though he had been there all along. Gerude was trapped in his glowing red eyes, like two fiery orbs staring at her mercilessly. It felt as if the world had stopped spinning, and only the figure before her remained—grinning with boundless arrogance.
Gerude froze, her body stiff as stone. Kharzael's face, adorned with black horns, loomed so close, intimidating, releasing an aura of darkness that pierced deep into her soul. Every second felt like centuries, and her heart beat so loudly, it almost shattered her from within.
"Ah, Gerude," Kharzael's voice was smooth, but laden with a threat so strong, it felt as though his words could tear apart her very consciousness. "You haven't forgotten your brother, Ian, have you?" he whispered, his words flowing like poison into her ears.
The world around Gerude vanished, leaving only that voice. Memories of Ian, her lost brother, resurfaced, haunting her heart with deep unease. Ian's face, his smile, everything she had felt before that loss, came flooding back like an unhealed wound. Fear crept into her blood, seeping into every nerve, almost suffocating her.
"No..." Gerude tried to speak, but the words were stuck in her throat, trapped in an overwhelming despair. Her body wouldn't move, as though ensnared in an ever-deepening void, filled with shadows of the past she wished to forget. She felt as though the world itself was pressing down on her, drowning her in an unreachable darkness.
Kharzael touched her chin with a cold, lethal hand, his long black fingers seeming to drain the last remnants of courage from her. Gerude felt a weight so heavy, as though all her hope and strength had slipped away, drawn by that demonic figure.
"Will you surrender, Gerude?" Kharzael asked, his voice breaking with mocking pauses. "Is this the suffering you fear? Or is this what you've been waiting for?"
Gerude couldn't answer, only remaining silent in the grip of ever-strengthening fear. Kharzael laughed lowly, his smile widening, radiating a chilling satisfaction. In front of him, Gerude felt no longer like a warrior, but like a broken fragment of someone she once knew.
Helel wouldn't stand by idly. His right hand shimmered with dazzling silver-blue light, the crackle of energy like thunder shattering the silence. With full force, he released an attack toward Kharzael, hoping to strike the demon and push back against the terror weighing on him.
But in an instant, Kharzael vanished. The movement was so swift and smooth, it was as if he were nothing more than mist evaporating. Helel staggered forward, shocked, realizing he had lost his target. Kharzael's laughter echoed, low and terrifying, filling the space with a deafening sense of shame.
"Helel... is it really that easy for you to think you can touch me?" Kharzael said, his voice like a melody full of mockery. "I am more than just a shadow," he continued with scorn, his red eyes staring at Helel like a predator eyeing its prey.
Kharzael grinned, his eyes filled with hatred and cunning. "I won't fight you... not yet," he said softly, but with lies in every word. "But I have something much more interesting for you."
With a light motion, Kharzael snapped his fingers. The once calm forest suddenly trembled. The wind howled violently, the ground cracked open, and towering trees fell. The earth quaked, as though the world itself was groaning in pain.
Behind Kharzael, a massive figure emerged, shaking the ground. A golem, the guardian of the Arthalion Hills, had awakened. Its body was made of large cracked stones, as if the hill itself had come to life, each step accompanied by a loud creak, like the fury of nature.
Thalindra and Elara exchanged looks, their faces pale. They knew that creature. It was not just a guardian—it was an immeasurable threat. Every step it took shook the earth, its power overwhelming.
"We have to fight," Thalindra said, her eyes full of resolve, despite the anxiety beneath the surface.
Elara gripped her staff tightly, magical energy swirling around her. "Keep your distance and attack from afar. We need to stop it before everything is destroyed."
They prepared. Thalindra called upon the forces of nature, while Elara gathered her magical energy. Helel and Gerude stood firm, despite the clear signs of fear.
Kharzael's cunning laughter rang out, echoing. "This is just the beginning," he said, his voice terrifying. "Enjoy this game, you won't be able to escape."
Once again, Kharzael vanished, leaving behind the oppressive dark mist. Without his presence, the air grew even heavier. The forest had become a prison, waiting to consume them.
Now, they faced only one enemy—the golem, radiating terrifying power. Thalindra, Elara, Helel, and Gerude knew they had no choice but to endure, fight, or be destroyed.
**
The golem took a step forward, shaking the ground with its massive, heavy steps. The large stones that made up its body cracked and splintered, pieces falling off, emphasizing the creature's immense strength. Its glowing red eyes glared sharply, every movement it made creating destruction in its wake.
Thalindra moved first, the energy of the earth flowing from her hands. Quickly, the ground split, forming a stone wall that stopped the golem's first attack. But the golem shattered it with a single swing, while Thalindra nimbly dodged with incredible speed.
Behind her, Elara raised her staff, a massive fireball forming and shooting toward the golem. A huge explosion followed, but the golem barely flinched. Its body's stones reassembled as if no damage had been done.
"Helel! Gerude!" Thalindra shouted. "Attack now!"
Helel leapt forward in anger, launching a ball of blue energy that struck the golem's body with a loud thud. Yet, the golem stood firm, its gaze cold and empty.
Gerude stood tall, her eyes filled with determination. Swiftly, a mystical green energy flowed from her hands, creating a large stone pillar to hold the golem back. But the golem retaliated with a hard slap that sent Gerude crashing to the ground. Despite the fall, her spirit remained unbroken. She rose and cast a stronger green magic, sending a mighty blast that shook the golem, but the creature remained standing.
"Not enough!" Gerude yelled.
Thalindra shouted, "Protect yourselves! I'll distract it!"
With a surge of greater natural power, Thalindra summoned roots to coil around the golem. The golem struggled, but the roots only tightened. Elara hurled another, more powerful fireball, striking the golem. The rocks cracked, but the golem stayed upright.
The golem roared in fury, lifting its hand and gathering the earth around it, crushing it. A deafening roar filled the air, and the golem prepared to launch a more lethal counterattack.
"Helel! Gerude, with me!" Thalindra called.
Gerude nodded without hesitation. Together, they unleashed their combined magic, striking the golem with a massive stone pillar that caused it to stagger backward. With each attack, the golem became more unstable, but its strength remained undiminished.
"Helel, focus! Final strike!" Thalindra yelled.
Helel launched a huge energy ball with incredible speed, hitting the golem's center. A massive explosion rocked the battlefield, plunging the world into darkness for a brief moment. Dimly, they saw the golem lying on the ground.
However, with a rumbling sound, the golem began to stir. Its once-collapsed body trembled as if drawing strength from the earth. Its dim red eyes flared again, a flicker of consciousness appearing within them. A hoarse voice emerged from its body, "I… am trapped… Free me…"
Thalindra, Elara, Helel, and Gerude exchanged stunned glances. The golem, whom they had thought to be a hill guardian, was now speaking with a pleading tone. Gerude felt hesitation to fight, as the golem seemed more like a creature in captivity than an enemy.
"What happened?" Elara asked, her voice full of concern. "Why are you asking us to free you?"
The golem lowered its massive head, its voice trembling. "Kharzael… he controls me. Please… free me."
Thalindra stepped forward. "We'll help, but be cautious. If the magic hasn't fully faded, we could harm you."
Suddenly, the golem's body moved swiftly. "The magic returns!" Helel cried, narrowing his eyes.
Without warning, the golem raised its huge hand, crushing the earth beneath it and hurling large stones toward them. "Protect yourselves!" Thalindra shouted. Helel quickly launched a silver-blue energy attack, but the golem deflected it easily, using rocks as a shield.
Gerude didn't stand idle. She threw a large fireball, but the golem dodged it with an incredibly strong gust of wind. "Don't give up!" Elara shouted, trying to find a way to break the control over the golem.
But the golem kept crushing the ground with heavy stomps. Thalindra summoned the power of nature, forming a dirt wall to block the stones, but the golem continued charging.
Suddenly, the golem stopped. Its red eyes dimmed again, and its deep voice filled with despair. "Free me…" it whispered.
Thalindra looked at it with sorrow. "We will help."
Standing tall, Thalindra raised her hand and called upon the magic of nature. With a sharp voice, she recited an ancient incantation, as if the wind itself whispered, "Kythar vorthal ekh'lathir…"
Each word of the incantation shattered the golem's bonds, and its body trembled as the stones cracked. When the spell finished, Elara signaled, and Helel released his silver-blue energy at the golem. The golem's body began to crumble, the massive stones scattering, its form collapsing in a roar.
In the silence that followed, a grateful voice emerged from the golem. "Thank you… for freeing me."
But that voice was quickly replaced by Kharzael's sinister whisper, "Don't celebrate just yet. Your battle is not over."
His evil laughter echoed, shattering the brief peace they had felt and reminding them that danger still awaited.