The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy as they trekked through the forest, the tension from the cavern still hanging over them. Kieran led the way, Rag padding beside him, nose low to the ground. Jace trudged behind, grumbling about the lack of breakfast, while Mira hummed softly to herself, eyes scanning the foliage.
Rolan walked in silence, his gaze distant. Bram, noticing his unusual quietness, nudged him lightly. "Something on your mind?"
Rolan hesitated before answering. "Back there... those guardians weren't just manifestations. They were souls—trapped, forced to serve. I've seen something similar before."
Kieran glanced back. "Where?"
"A city on the western coast—Kalden. The same corrupted energy, the same spectral soldiers. That city fell a decade ago, consumed from within."
Mira frowned. "But the corruption didn't spread beyond its borders."
"Because it was contained," Rolan replied grimly. "A sacrifice. The entire city sealed off by the remaining mages."
Bram paled. "You're saying someone's replicating that magic?"
"Or expanding it," Rolan said, his voice heavy. "If they've found a way to spread it without containment... we could be looking at entire regions falling to corruption."
Jace groaned. "Just what we needed—another doomsday prophecy."
Kieran sighed. "First thing's first—we find the next conduit and shut it down. If there's a pattern, we'll trace it and cut off the source."
As they continued, Rag suddenly barked and darted ahead, sniffing at something half-buried in the underbrush. Kieran moved to investigate, brushing leaves aside to reveal a stone marker covered in vines.
Bram crouched, examining the runes etched into the stone. "A boundary marker. This area was once a sanctuary—a place warded against dark magic."
Mira frowned. "Then why is the corruption here now?"
Rolan looked uneasy. "Someone must have dismantled the wards. It would take considerable knowledge—and power."
Jace kicked at the dirt. "So we're chasing some genius mage who wants to drown the world in darkness. Great."
Kieran straightened, his expression resolute. "Whoever they are, we'll find them. And we'll stop them."
Rolan gave a rare, approving nod. "Confidence is good—just don't let it blind you."
They moved on, leaving the marker behind as the forest grew denser, the shadows longer. Somewhere ahead lay their next challenge, and though none of them spoke it aloud, they all felt the weight of what was coming.