The air grew thicker as the group moved deeper into the catacombs, the oppressive silence broken only by the drip of water echoing from unseen cracks. Kieran led the way, his blade reflecting the faint glow of Mira's lantern.
Jace muttered under his breath. "Feels like the walls are closing in."
Bram glanced around, his staff glowing faintly to ward off the darkness. "These tunnels are ancient—built long before the village. Whatever dwells here has claimed it for its own."
Kieran paused at a fork in the path, listening intently. Faint whispers danced on the air, like distant chanting. "Left," he said, pointing with his sword.
They moved cautiously, every step deliberate. As they rounded a corner, Rag froze, growling low. Ahead, a faint green light pulsed from an arched doorway.
Mira tightened her grip on her charm. "Something's in there."
Jace looked to Kieran. "You take point."
Nodding, Kieran moved forward, peering inside. The room was vast—carved from stone with ancient symbols etched into every surface. In the center stood a massive statue of a cloaked figure, hands outstretched toward a swirling vortex of green energy suspended above a dais.
Bram's face paled. "A corruption nexus. It's feeding power to whatever's awakening."
Before anyone could react, shadows peeled away from the walls, forming humanoid wraiths with hollow, glowing eyes. One lunged at Kieran, who sidestepped and slashed through its form, the creature dissipating like mist.
"Stay together!" Bram shouted, unleashing a burst of light to scatter the wraiths. Jace swung his axe at another, cutting through it as Mira chanted a protective ward.
One wraith slipped past, heading straight for Bram. Kieran leapt between them, slicing downward and dispersing it with a single blow.
"We have to destroy the nexus!" Kieran yelled.
Bram hesitated. "If I shatter it recklessly, the backlash could kill us all!"
Jace grunted as another wraith lunged at him. "So what's the plan?"
Kieran thought quickly, eyes locked on the vortex. "Disrupt it. Slow it down without breaking it entirely."
Bram nodded, focusing his energy. "Cover me!"
As Bram moved to the dais, the wraiths intensified their assault. Kieran and Jace formed a defensive line while Mira cast barriers to block stray attacks. Rag darted around, distracting the wraiths with sudden lunges and barks.
Bram chanted softly, light spiraling from his staff and entwining with the nexus. The green glow flickered and dimmed, the vortex spinning slower.
With a final surge of power, Bram struck the dais with his staff, and the vortex imploded silently, leaving the chamber in eerie calm. The wraiths dissolved into shadows, no trace remaining.
Panting, Kieran lowered his sword. "Did it work?"
Bram wiped sweat from his brow. "Temporarily. Whatever's controlling this place will feel that disruption. We need to keep moving before it retaliates."
Jace leaned on his axe. "Great. More running in the dark."
Kieran gave him a faint smirk. "You knew what you signed up for."
As they regrouped, Mira examined the statue, her eyes narrowed. "There's something unsettling about it... like it's watching us."
Kieran glanced back, unease prickling at his spine. Whatever evil had taken root here, they were far from done unraveling its secrets.