The deeper they went into the underground tunnels, the air grew heavier, warm with an almost electric charge that made Adrian's skin prickle. The Heart pulsed in his hand, glowing softly, guiding him forward as if it knew where they needed to go.
Kael moved ahead with his staff, every step cautious. "We're close," he said quietly. "But don't let proximity fool you. The Plume will be waiting."
Elara stayed close to Adrian, eyes darting to every shadow, every glint of light on the crystal-lined walls. He noticed the way she seemed to move in tune with the ruins themselves, as if she could read their hidden paths. Without saying a word, she became his anchor, a quiet reassurance in the strange, humming tunnels.
The corridor opened into a vast chamber. Jagged crystals jutted from the floor and ceiling, their soft blue light reflecting in patterns across the walls. And there it was—resting on a stone pedestal—an orb glowing faintly, pulsing in harmony with the Heart.
Adrian stepped closer, feeling a pull in his chest. Every instinct told him to be careful. Kael raised his staff, forming a protective circle around them. "Something's bound to happen," he said.
Elara crouched, scanning the edges of the room. "Expect company," she murmured. "The Plume or the ruins themselves aren't going to let this go easily."
Adrian's fingers hovered above the orb. The Heart's glow flared, almost blinding him, as if it recognized the artifact and his connection to it.
Suddenly, shadows flickered along the walls. Plume operatives emerged, their cloaks blending into the crystal reflections. Chaos erupted—magic flared, spells hissed, and every movement counted.
Adrian's dagger glowed as he deflected attacks, guided by the Heart. Elara moved beside him like a shadow, striking with precision, blocking blows, and keeping him from danger without a single word. Their movements synced instinctively, born from shared danger and trust forged over countless trials.
Kael's staff cut arcs of protection in the air, giving them openings to move and strike. Every pulse from the Heart seemed to warn Adrian of what was coming next.
When the last operative fell back into the mist, the chamber fell quiet. The orb's glow softened, pulsing gently in time with the Heart.
Adrian reached for the orb, and the moment his fingers touched it, energy surged through him. Flashes of forgotten battles and ancient knowledge flickered in his mind. The artifact felt alive, like it had been waiting for someone to find it.
Elara's eyes were on him, steady and calm. "It responds to you," she said softly. "Like it knows you can handle it."
Adrian's chest tightened. "It's… alive. Connected. I don't know how, but it's… like it's speaking."
Kael stepped closer. "This isn't just an artifact. It's a key and a warning. The Plume will come for it, and now they know you've found it."
Elara glanced at Adrian, just for a moment, and he felt a flicker of something in her eyes—a mix of trust and understanding. No words were spoken, but he realized they were no longer just allies. They had become each other's instincts, each other's guide through chaos.
The chamber felt calm now, but the pulse of the Heart reminded Adrian that this was only the beginning. There would be more danger, more secrets, and more choices ahead.
He adjusted his grip on the orb, feeling its weight, its significance, and the unspoken responsibility it carried. Kael and Elara flanked him, and together, they were ready to face whatever came next.
The ruins whispered their secrets, and Adrian knew one thing for sure: nothing would ever be simple again.