The night pressed in around them as the group took refuge near the outer edge of the ruins. A makeshift camp was set up, lanterns casting flickering light over wary faces. Kieran sat sharpening his blade, eyes never leaving the dark entrance to the ancient stone structure ahead.
Jace crouched beside him, wiping blood from his axe. "That thing didn't even feel pain. You noticed?"
Kieran nodded. "Something's keeping them alive—dark magic, probably. We'll have to be quicker next time."
Bram was hunched over an old map, muttering to himself. Mira approached, her face pale but determined. "We should move before more show up."
"Agreed," Kieran replied. "The longer we wait, the more they gather."
Bram raised his head. "There's an old passage marked here. It leads deeper underground—likely where the corruption is strongest."
Jace frowned. "Going underground doesn't sound smart."
"We don't have a choice," Kieran said. "If the source of all this is there, we have to destroy it."
Mira handed Kieran a small vial filled with a shimmering liquid. "It's a warding potion. It might help against whatever's down there."
Kieran took it with a nod. "Thanks."
As they prepared to move, Rag growled low, ears flat. The air grew colder, and faint whispers seemed to rise from the ground. Bram tightened his grip on his staff.
"Stay close," Kieran ordered. They moved as one, descending into the dark passage, the stone walls damp and echoing their footsteps. Flickering torches lined the walls, though most had burned out long ago.
A chill ran down Kieran's spine as they reached a chamber deeper in. The walls were covered in dark, twisting symbols that seemed to pulse faintly with an unnatural light. At the center lay a stone altar, cracked and worn.
Suddenly, a guttural roar shook the air. From the shadows, a monstrous figure emerged—twice the size of the scout from before, its eyes blazing red, muscles bulging grotesquely. Jace barely had time to react before it lunged, smashing its fists into the ground where he'd stood moments before.
Kieran darted in, slashing at its side, but the blade barely cut through its thick hide. The creature swung wildly, forcing Kieran to duck and roll aside. Rag leapt onto its back, biting and clawing while Mira chanted a protective spell.
Bram raised his staff, light gathering at its tip, and launched a bolt of energy at the creature. It howled, stumbling back, giving Jace an opening to strike its leg with his axe.
Panting, Kieran spotted a faint glow on the altar—a dark crystal embedded at its center. "Bram! That stone—destroy it!"
Bram nodded, pushing through the chaos and reaching the altar. He slammed his staff down, and a burst of light shattered the crystal. The creature screamed, its body convulsing before collapsing into ash.
Silence settled, thick and heavy. Kieran wiped sweat from his brow, breathing hard. "Was that it?"
Bram shook his head grimly. "No. Just another guardian. Whatever power is waking up, it's deeper in."
Jace cursed. "How many more of those things are there?"
"As many as needed to guard the heart of the corruption," Bram replied. "We need to keep moving before it regroups."
Kieran glanced at the darkened passage ahead, his grip tightening on his sword. Whatever awaited them at the heart of the ruins, they couldn't afford to falter now.