The ruins seemed to grow darker the deeper he went, the lantern's glow barely enough to cut through the gloom. The voices had faded, leaving only the sound of his own footsteps.
Cale's instincts screamed at him to turn back, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was close to something important.
The path led him to a large open square, its center dominated by a massive statue. The figure depicted was humanoid but distorted, with elongated limbs and a featureless face. Its arms were outstretched, as though beckoning or warning.
Cale approached cautiously, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. The ground around the statue was littered with more armor and weapons, all of them in varying states of decay.
One piece caught his attention—a breastplate, its surface polished and unmarked. It stood out starkly against the rusted and broken pieces surrounding it.
He knelt to inspect it, but as he reached out, the ground beneath him trembled. The lantern's flame flared, and the hum returned, louder and more insistent.
Cale shot to his feet, his blade at the ready. The shadows around the square seemed to shift, and from the edges of the ruins, figures began to emerge.
They weren't the smoky creatures he had fought before. These figures were solid, their bodies clad in dark, segmented armor that seemed to absorb the light. Their faces were hidden behind featureless masks, but their movements were purposeful, almost mechanical.
Cale's heart pounded as the figures encircled him, their weapons drawn. He tightened his grip on the lantern, its flame flaring in response.
"Who are you?" he demanded, his voice steady despite the fear clawing at him.
The figures didn't respond. Instead, one of them stepped forward, raising a long, curved blade.
Cale braced himself, preparing for a fight, but the figure didn't attack. Instead, it pointed the blade at the statue, then back at Cale.
The gesture was clear: a warning or an order.
Cale's mind raced. These weren't mindless creatures. They had intent, purpose. He glanced at the statue, then back at the figures.
"What do you want me to do?" he muttered.
The figure stepped closer, its blade still raised. The others began to close in, their movements slow but deliberate.
Cale had no choice. He backed away, keeping the lantern between himself and the figures. They didn't follow, but their presence lingered, watching him as he retreated into the shadows.
As he turned a corner, the ruins seemed to close in around him. The path forward was uncertain, but one thing was clear: he wasn't alone in this place.