The group continued their trek through the twisted forest, the stench of the Varkathos lingering on the air like a grim omen. Kaelen’s mind churned with questions, but his instincts kept him alert, scanning every shadow for movement. It wasn’t lost on him that the beasts seemed to grow more powerful the further west they went.

Nessa had taken point, her steps silent and purposeful. Sigrid followed closely behind, her focus divided between watching their flanks and quietly studying the strange marks left by the fallen creatures. Kaelen brought up the rear, his sword still unsheathed, ready for whatever might come next.

As they emerged into a clearing, the sunlight revealed a ruined stone structure jutting from the earth like the bones of some long-dead giant. It was ancient, weathered by time and the elements, and covered in dark, creeping vines.

“This is it,” Nessa announced, her voice cutting through the stillness.

Kaelen frowned. “It doesn’t look like much.”

Nessa shot him a withering glance. “That’s because you’re looking with mortal eyes. These ruins mark the edge of the Shadowrend. It’s where the first of the cursed beasts are said to have emerged.”

Sigrid knelt by one of the stones, running her fingers over strange etchings carved into its surface. “This isn’t just any ruin. These markings are runes—binding runes. Someone sealed something here, long ago.”

“And someone’s unsealing it,” Nessa added, her tone grim.

Kaelen sighed, stepping closer. “Of course they are. Let me guess—we’re the ones who have to stop it.”

“You catch on quick,” Nessa replied with a faint smirk. “But it won’t be easy. The Varkathos are just the beginning. If the seal breaks entirely, we’re looking at something far worse.”

Kaelen exchanged a glance with Sigrid, who seemed to share his unease. “Worse than those things? What could possibly—”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Before he could finish, the ground beneath them trembled. A low, guttural sound rose from the depths of the ruin, a noise that seemed to vibrate through their very bones.

Kaelen drew his sword, his grip tightening. “What in the abyss was that?”

Nessa didn’t answer. Instead, she moved toward the center of the ruin, where a jagged hole had been carved into the earth. The air around it shimmered with a faint, unnatural light, and the runes on the stones began to glow.

“We’re out of time,” Nessa said. “Whatever’s down there—it’s waking up.”

Before Kaelen could argue, the ground erupted. A massive clawed hand burst through the soil, followed by a creature that defied comprehension. Its form was humanoid but twisted, its skin a sickly gray-green hue. It had two heads, each with sunken, hollow eyes that glowed with an eerie, pale light. Horns jutted from its misshapen skulls, and its massive torso was adorned with ancient chains that rattled as it moved.

Kaelen took an involuntary step back. “What in all the hells is that?”

Nessa’s voice was cold. “A Thalgrith. A gatekeeper.”

Sigrid’s hands began to glow with magic as she prepared a spell. “And what exactly is it guarding?”

“The real question,” Nessa replied, unsheathing a pair of wickedly curved daggers, “is whether you can kill it before it kills you.”

The Thalgrith let out a deafening roar, shaking the ruins and scattering debris. It swung one of its massive arms, forcing the group to scatter. Kaelen rolled to the side, his blade flashing as he countered with a quick slash to the creature’s leg. His attack barely made a mark.

“This thing’s tougher than it looks,” Kaelen muttered, dodging another blow.

Sigrid unleashed a torrent of energy, striking the Thalgrith square in the chest. The creature staggered but didn’t fall. Instead, it turned its attention to her, both heads snarling in unison.

Kaelen gritted his teeth, charging forward to divert its focus. His blade found a weak spot in the creature’s side, and he drove it in with all his strength. The Thalgrith roared in pain, swiping at him with its massive hand. Kaelen barely avoided the blow, feeling the rush of air as it passed.

Nessa darted in from the shadows, her daggers finding purchase in the creature’s back. She moved with terrifying speed, slashing and cutting with precision. But even her attacks seemed to do little more than irritate the beast.

“We need to work together!” Sigrid shouted, her voice strained as she unleashed another burst of magic. “It’s too strong for us alone!”

Kaelen nodded, his mind racing. “Sigrid, can you hit it with something bigger? Something that’ll slow it down?”

She hesitated, then nodded. “But I’ll need time.”

“Then we’ll keep it busy,” Kaelen said, locking eyes with Nessa. “Think you can handle that?”

Nessa smirked. “Try to keep up, hunter.”

As Sigrid began to gather her energy, Kaelen and Nessa launched into action. Kaelen attacked head-on, striking the creature’s legs to keep it off-balance, while Nessa danced around it, her blades slicing at its vulnerable joints.

The Thalgrith bellowed in frustration, its movements growing more erratic as it lashed out at its attackers. Kaelen dodged a particularly close strike, rolling to his feet just in time to see Sigrid unleash her spell.

A blinding wave of energy surged forward, striking the Thalgrith with incredible force. The creature screamed as it was engulfed in light, its massive form writhing before collapsing to the ground.

For a moment, the ruins were silent.

Kaelen approached the fallen beast cautiously, his sword at the ready. When he was certain it was dead, he turned to Sigrid, who was breathing heavily from the effort of her spell.

“Nice work,” he said. “I’d say we make a pretty good team.”

Sigrid gave him a faint smirk. “Don’t get used to it.”