The forest had grown unnaturally still, the ruins bathed in the pale light of the rising blood moon. Noona, Lisa, and Akin stood at the edge of the altar, their breaths shallow, senses on high alert.
Lisa pointed to the ancient runes etched along the edges of the altar. "Look… these symbols. They aren't just a seal—they're a map, directions to the origin."
Noona's eyes widened. "Origin… you mean the source of the curse?"
Akin's jaw tightened. "If we follow this, we might finally face whoever—or whatever—set all this in motion."
As they traced the runes, shadows shifted unnaturally. The wind whispered secrets in a language older than memory, brushing their ears with promises and threats alike.
A sudden vision struck Noona—a woman, cloaked in crimson, standing before a blood-stained altar centuries ago. Her hands were raised, chanting in an unknown tongue, her eyes hollow yet burning with intent. Around her, shadows twisted and writhed, answering her call.
"The curse… it began with her," Noona whispered, voice trembling. "She made a pact… a terrible pact."
Lisa placed a hand on Noona's shoulder. "We need to find her… or what remains of her. Only by understanding the origin can we hope to end it."
Akin scanned the horizon, his eyes sharp. "The blood moon rises fully tonight. Whatever is waiting, it will awaken soon. We can't waste a moment."
The ruins seemed to pulse with life—or with memory. Every stone, every rune, whispered fragments of the past. Noona clenched her fists. They had fought shadows and mended the seal, but the true enemy remained unseen, patient, and watching.
And somewhere, beyond the veil of the forest and the blood-red sky, the woman in crimson waited, her eyes fixed on the heirs of light who dared to disturb her centuries-old curse.