The haunting melody lingered, wrapping around Erynn and Riven like a ghostly embrace as they crept further into the eastern district. The air felt charged, thick with an energy that sent shivers down Erynn’s spine. She glanced at Riven, whose silver sword gleamed faintly in the dim light. His posture was steady, but the tension in his shoulders betrayed his wariness.“Do you hear it?” Erynn whispered, her voice barely above a breath.“I do,” Riven replied, his sharp eyes scanning the broken structures around them. “It’s getting louder. It feels… wrong.”Erynn nodded, gripping her daggers tightly. Her flame and ice powers tingled at her fingertips, eager to be unleashed. She fought the urge to summon them just yet, knowing their glow would make them an easy target.As they rounded a corner, the melody crescendoed into a mournful wail. Before them stood a decrepit building with a single intact door, it's frame etched with symbols similar to the binding rune they had seen earlier. The do

The campfire crackled softly in the silence of the night, it's warmth doing little to ease the tension that hung thick in the air. Each member of the group sat lost in their thoughts, the weight of their confrontation with the Herald still heavy on their minds. The stars above Valloria seemed dimmer, as though the land itself mourned the battles it had endured.Jace stared into the fire, his jaw clenched tightly. Aila sat beside him, her golden staff resting across her knees. It's faint glow provided an aura of comfort, but even her presence wasn’t enough to quell the storm brewing inside him.“We’re running out of time,” Jace said, finally breaking the silence. His voice was low, almost a growl. “Every step we take feels like we’re falling further behind.”“We’re not falling behind,” Aila countered softly. “We’re gathering strength, learning more. The Herald underestimated us today.”“Maybe,” Jace muttered, but his tone was far from convinced. “But I can’t shake the feeling that we’r

The air in Valloria carried a sense of both relief and unease. Though the Herald had been defeated and the city liberated, the looming mystery of the Catacombs of Eternity hung over the group like a shadow. Jace and the others gathered around a hastily assembled fire in the heart of the ruined square. The warmth was a small comfort in the chilling night, but the tension among them was palpable.Caelum sat apart from the rest, his dark magic staff resting against his shoulder as he poured over an old tome he’d uncovered in the ruins. His face was illuminated by the faint glow of runes etched into the pages, and his expression was grim.“We need to act quickly,” he finally said, breaking the silence. “The Herald’s magic weakened the seals around the Catacombs. If the enemy realizes this, they’ll send forces to stop us, or even activating the gateway themselves.”Jace frowned, leaning forward. “If it’s so dangerous, why hasn’t anyone tried to destroy it before?”Caelum’s gaze flicked to

The group moved through the dense, tangled woods that marked the edge of the Catacombs, their steps heavy with exhaustion. The battle against Brannen had left it's mark on each of them, cuts and bruises marred their bodies, and an invisible weight pressed down on their spirits. The oppressive aura of the Catacombs faded as they left it's bounds, replaced by the crisp, chill air of the forest.Jace walked at the front, his sword sheathed but his hand resting on the hilt as though expecting an ambush at any moment. His mind replayed the moment Brannen vanished in a torrent of shadow and light, the bitter memory of his former ally’s corrupted face etched into his thoughts. Behind him, Aila walked silently, her golden staff now dim but still offering a faint warmth in the darkness. She glanced at Jace, her eyes filled with worry, not just for their mission, but for the burden she knew he carried.Riven walked beside Erynn, his silver sword resting against his shoulder. His usual stoic dem

The forest grew darker and denser as the group pressed on, following the cloaked figures. An eerie stillness settled around them, broken only by the crunch of leaves underfoot and the occasional rustle of unseen creatures. The air was heavy, charged with a strange energy that set Jace’s nerves on edge. He kept his sword unsheathed, his fingers gripping the hilt tightly. Aila’s golden staff glowed faintly, casting light onto the path, while Caelum’s dark staff seemed to absorb the light around it.“Where exactly are you leading us?” Jace asked, his voice firm but laced with suspicion. He was tired of the cryptic nature of their guides.The woman leading the cloaked figures glanced back at him, her piercing yellow eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. “To a place where answers await. If you’re serious about stopping this war, you’ll need what lies ahead.”Jace exchanged a glance with Aila, who nodded subtly. Though Aila’s expression remained calm, her hand tightened around her staff. S