But just as they turned to leave, a chilling whisper echoed through the trees, freezing them in their tracks.
"Foolish children," the voice hissed, low and menacing. It seemed to come from every direction, wrapping around them like tendrils of smoke. "You think you have won? The shadows are eternal. We will return."
Ember's heart raced, a cold dread creeping in as she scanned the surrounding darkness. "Who's there?" she called, trying to sound brave despite the fear knotting in her stomach.
"Come now, little light," the voice mocked, and from the depths of the trees, a dark figure began to emerge, its form coalescing into a humanoid shape cloaked in shadows. "You think you can disrupt our ritual and walk away unscathed? You have merely delayed the inevitable."
Alaric stepped closer to Ember, his posture protective. "What do you want from us?" he demanded, voice steady despite the fear in his eyes.
