The trio fled deep into the Emeraldwood Forest, where moonlight barely touched the moss-covered ground. Crickets chirped softly, and a cool mist lingered between the trees.
Eiji tripped over a root for the third time. "I swear, this forest is personally attacking me."
Lyra chuckled, adjusting the straps on her potion belt. "Maybe it just doesn't like noisy prophets."
Pyra flickered dimly above them. "Or maybe it's nature's way of telling you to stop talking."
Eiji brushed dirt from his robe, glaring at both of them. "You're all terrible travel companions."
They set up a small camp near a stream. Lyra started a fire while Eiji inspected the medallion. Its glow was faint now, almost pulsing in rhythm with the night's sounds.
"Do you think the Guild's still after us?" he asked quietly.
Pyra hovered closer to the flames. "Always. But they'll need time to recover after your… livestock explosion."
Lyra smirked. "That was a beautiful mess. Ten out of ten."
Before Eiji could reply, a voice cut through the darkness. "You're trespassing."
A tall figure stepped out from behind a tree, bow drawn and arrow ready. His hair was tied back, his cloak blending with the forest shadows. His green eyes watched them sharply.
Eiji froze. "Uh… hi. We're friendly fugitives?"
The man didn't lower his bow. "That's not reassuring."
Lyra raised her hands. "We're not enemies. We're running from the Shadow Guild."
At the mention of the name, the ranger's expression shifted. He slowly lowered his bow. "You've seen them?"
Eiji nodded. "Seen, accidentally exploded, escaped, and… somehow made them very angry."
The ranger sighed. "Then you're even more foolish than you look."
"Thank you?" Eiji said uncertainly.
The ranger introduced himself as Kael, guardian of the Emeraldwood borders. He led them to a hidden glade where faint ruins covered in vines stood beneath a great oak.
"These stones are remnants of the Old Kingdom," Kael explained. "Long before Zorynthia was divided, Oracles guided the realm. If the Shadow Guild is returning, their goal is likely tied to these ruins."
Eiji touched one of the carvings. It glowed faintly at his touch. The medallion around his neck shimmered brighter, reacting to the ancient magic.
Kael's eyes widened. "You… carry an Oracle's relic?"
Eiji blinked. "I do? Wait, I do. Yes, apparently."
The ground trembled softly, and runes along the ruins lit up like fireflies. Lyra gasped. "You just activated something."
"Probably bad," Pyra muttered.
Kael drew his sword. "Everyone stand back."
Before anyone could move, a beam of blue light shot into the sky, illuminating the entire forest. Birds scattered, and the air vibrated with energy.
Eiji winced. "Please tell me that wasn't my fault."
Lyra patted his shoulder. "It was entirely your fault."
Kael groaned, lowering his weapon. "I should never have helped you."
The light faded, leaving an eerie silence. Then, a whisper echoed through the glade.
"The Oracle has awoken the first seal. The balance begins to shift."
Eiji stared at the ruins, heart pounding. "What seal? What balance? Why does everything sound so dramatic when I touch stuff?"
Pyra hovered beside him. "Because, Oracle, you're a walking disaster wrapped in destiny."
Eiji sighed. "Great. That's exactly what I needed to hear."