The forest thickened as they approached the hilltop, branches twisting overhead, blocking what little light remained from the fading sun. Adrian adjusted his grip on the dagger, the Heart pulsing faintly in response to the magic still lingering from the Whispering Marshes.
Kael moved ahead, silent and deliberate, his staff tapping the uneven ground. Elara followed just behind, crouching when shadows stretched too long, scanning every movement. Adrian kept close, adjusting his steps to hers, instinctively shielding her when a loose branch snapped underfoot.
The faint sound of stone grinding against stone reached their ears. Adrian's pulse quickened. "Structures ahead," he whispered.
"Ruins," Kael muttered. "Not the Plume's. Older. Hidden."
They emerged into a clearing. Half-buried walls jutted from the earth, carved with runes weathered by time. The remnants of towers leaned precariously, moss covering cracks and broken stone.
Adrian studied the ground. Energy pulses ran faintly across the ruins, reacting to the Heart. "There's residual magic here," he said. "Strong… old."
Elara crouched near the base of one wall, her fingers brushing over faint etchings. "Defensive wards," she murmured. "They weren't abandoned. Something—or someone—left in a hurry."
Kael scanned the perimeter, stepping lightly between broken columns. "Keep your guard up. The Plume could have known this site, or something else could be watching."
A sudden crack echoed through the ruins. Shadows shifted unnaturally across the stone, stretching and contorting. Adrian instinctively raised his dagger, the Heart flaring with energy.
From the deepest corner of the ruins, a figure stepped forward—hooded, robes tattered, staff glowing with faint pulses. The air vibrated as it moved closer, whispering words that seemed older than the forest itself.
Kael signaled them to hold. Elara tightened her grip on her daggers, moving beside Adrian. Neither spoke; the movements were enough to convey readiness.
The figure raised its staff. Energy surged toward them, striking the ground between the group. Adrian redirected the pulse with the Heart, sending it safely into a cracked stone. Elara darted forward, dismantling the minor ward anchoring the strike.
The figure faltered slightly, then lifted a hand again. This time, Adrian didn't hesitate. He advanced toward the source, Heart pulsing steadily, energy arcs flowing from dagger to ruins, stabilizing the shifting magic. Elara moved beside him, matching his timing, cutting through residual wards.
Kael intercepted when a surge split off toward them, striking with the flat of his staff, redirecting the force into the broken walls.
After a tense pause, the figure lowered the staff and spoke. "You have the mark of the Heart. Few carry it without bending it to their will. The Plume seeks it… and you."
Adrian felt the pulse in his hand intensify. The Heart resonated with the words, but he said nothing, simply adjusting the dagger to steady the ruins.
The figure's gaze lingered on Elara briefly. "And you—capable, but untested. Your timing saved the one who carries it."
Elara's eyes narrowed, but she did not speak. Adrian noted her stance: careful, precise, unwavering. He felt the rhythm of her movements echo his own as they worked together, stabilizing the ruins.
The figure studied them for a moment longer, then turned, vanishing into the shadows of the ruined tower. The forest seemed to exhale.
Kael exhaled slowly. "The Heart is recognized here. The Plume isn't the only one aware of its power."
Adrian adjusted his grip on the dagger, scanning the ruins. "Then we need to move fast. Whoever left these wards didn't want anyone here."
Elara nodded, moving to the rear of the group to cover their backs. Adrian noticed how instinctively they fell into roles—leader, scout, protector, and observer—without a word.
They crossed the clearing, stepping over broken stones and roots. A low hum pulsed faintly beneath the earth—the Heart responding to lingering magic, guiding them to a hidden stairwell leading underground.
Kael led the descent, staff tapping cautiously. Adrian followed, adjusting each step as Elara shadowed him. The walls of the stairwell glowed faintly with ancient runes, their power dormant but watchful.
At the bottom, the chamber opened into a wide hall, the remnants of a long-forgotten council room. Broken banners hung from stone pillars, faint sigils etched into the floor. The Heart pulsed faster, resonating with the faint energy in the chamber.
Adrian knelt, placing the dagger near a central rune. The glow spread, illuminating the room. Patterns emerged on the floor, revealing a map of the surrounding lands. Several locations pulsed faintly—Plume strongholds, abandoned ruins, and unmarked sites.
Kael's eyes narrowed. "This tells us where they've been, and where they might strike next."
Elara stepped beside Adrian, fingers brushing lightly over the map. Her movements were precise, cautious. Adrian mirrored her, pointing to a glowing site. The Heart pulsed sharply, acknowledging their choice.
No words were spoken about trust or coordination; it was understood in every movement, every glance, every beat of the Heart between them.
From the stairwell, the forest above was silent. Mist clung to the ruins, curling around broken stone. The Vale was behind them, the Whispering Marshes even further. Ahead, the Plume's plans were visible in glowing etchings and residual wards—but still incomplete.
Kael gestured upward. "We rest briefly. Then we follow the path the Heart shows."
Adrian secured the dagger, eyes lingering on the glowing map. Elara adjusted her pack, then moved beside him, scanning the chamber silently. Their steps aligned naturally as they exited the ruins.
The forest awaited, dark and uncertain. The next stronghold, the next encounter, and the next challenge—the Heart pulsed in Adrian's hand, guiding them forward, keeping them one step ahead of the shadows.