The task force pressed deeper into the Wastes, the landscape growing more desolate with each step. By midday, they stumbled upon the skeletal remains of an ancient temple, its crumbling stone pillars etched with faded runes. Vines of black, Void-tainted growth snaked across the ruins, a silent testament to the plague's reach. Kael and Liora exchanged a wary glance before signaling the team to investigate.
Inside, the air was thick with dust and an eerie stillness. Kael and Liora, driven by their rivalry, raced to decipher the inscriptions on the walls. Kael's broad hands traced the Solaris symbols, his brow furrowed in concentration, while Liora's sharp eyes scanned the Lunari script, her fingers brushing the stone with practiced ease. Their competitive energy fueled a frantic pace, each determined to outshine the other.
"These markings suggest a ritual site," Kael grunted, his voice echoing. "Something the Solaris used to harness power."
"Wrong," Liora shot back, pointing to a crescent glyph. "This is Lunari work—likely a defense against a threat like the Void. Your people probably corrupted it."
Their debate escalated, voices overlapping until a faint click reverberated through the chamber. The ground trembled, and a hidden trap triggered—stone spikes shot from the walls, forcing the team to scatter. Kael dove left, narrowly avoiding a spike, while Liora rolled right, her agility saving her. The team regrouped, hearts pounding, as dust settled around them.
"Nice going, Lunari," Kael snarled, brushing dirt from his armor.
"You're the one who touched it first, Solaris," Liora retorted, though her tone held a trace of relief.
Trapped in a narrower passage, they had no choice but to work together. Kael used his strength to dislodge a fallen beam blocking their path, while Liora guided him with precise instructions, her strategic mind cutting through the chaos. The team followed, their trust in the leaders growing despite the tension. As they emerged, a faint map etched into the floor revealed the Void Plague's origin deeper within the Wastes.
Breathing heavily, Kael and Liora stood side by side, their earlier rivalry tempered by the shared ordeal. The synergy of their skills had saved them, a fact neither could ignore. Liora wiped sweat from her brow, her eyes meeting his for a moment longer than necessary. Kael nodded curtly, a silent acknowledgment, before turning to lead the team onward. The temple's secrets lingered in their minds, hinting that their alliance might hold more power than either was willing to admit.