As the fallen Thalgrith lay still, Kaelen wiped his blade clean on the nearest patch of dirt. He glanced at Sigrid, her glowing hands dimming as her spell subsided. The effort had drained her, but she maintained her composure, brushing a stray lock of hair away from her face without a word.

"One gatekeeper down," Kaelen muttered, looking at the jagged hole in the center of the ruins. The faint, unnatural glow within seemed to pulse, beckoning them forward. "Guess that means we’ve earned an invitation."

Nessa stepped closer to the edge, peering into the abyss. "The Thalgrith wouldn’t have been here without reason. This isn’t just a crack in the ground—it’s a passage to something old. Something dangerous."

"Sounds like every job I’ve ever hated," Kaelen replied, his voice laced with sarcasm.

Sigrid glanced at him, her tone sharp. "If this is too much for you, feel free to leave. I’m sure the villagers will appreciate your cowardice."

Kaelen smirked, shaking his head. "Nice try, Sigrid. But I’ve got a streak of reckless bravery to uphold."

Without waiting for further debate, Nessa began tying a length of rope around a nearby stone. "We’re not going to solve anything standing here. If you’re coming, follow me. If not, don’t bother waiting up."

She descended into the darkness with practiced ease, disappearing into the shadows below. Kaelen and Sigrid exchanged a glance before following.

The air grew colder as they climbed down, the faint light from above quickly swallowed by the oppressive gloom. The walls of the tunnel were damp, covered in strange markings that seemed to shift and writhe in the flickering light of their torches.

"These runes," Sigrid whispered, running her fingers along one of the symbols. "They’re not just warnings—they’re bindings. Someone didn’t want whatever’s down here getting out."

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"Well, they failed," Kaelen replied grimly, gesturing back toward the slain Thalgrith.

The tunnel opened into a cavern so vast it seemed to stretch endlessly into the darkness. Stalagmites jutted from the floor like the teeth of some colossal beast, and the faint hum of energy filled the air. At the center of the chamber stood an ancient stone altar, its surface carved with intricate runes glowing faintly.

Nessa approached it cautiously, her movements deliberate. "This is it," she said, her voice barely audible. "The source of the corruption."

Kaelen stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he studied the altar. "What exactly are we looking at?"

"A seal," Sigrid replied. "Or what’s left of one. It’s fractured, barely holding. If it breaks completely..."

She didn’t finish the thought, but Kaelen didn’t need her to.

Before they could examine the altar further, a low, guttural growl echoed through the chamber. Kaelen’s hand went to his sword instinctively, his eyes scanning the shadows.

From the darkness emerged another creature, unlike any they had faced before. This one was lean and serpentine, its body covered in scales that shimmered like black glass. Its eyes burned with a malevolent light, and its fanged maw opened to reveal rows of jagged teeth.

"That," Nessa said, drawing her daggers, "is a Kryntara. A guardian of the abyss."

Kaelen unsheathed his sword, his grip tightening. "Looks like we’ve got its attention."

The Kryntara moved with terrifying speed, lunging at Kaelen with a feral snarl. He barely managed to sidestep the attack, his blade flashing as he countered with a powerful slash. The creature hissed in pain but didn’t slow, its movements fluid and predatory.

Sigrid’s magic lit up the cavern as she unleashed a burst of energy, striking the Kryntara and forcing it back. Nessa darted in, her daggers flashing as she targeted its vulnerable underbelly.

But the Kryntara was relentless, its attacks growing more ferocious with each passing moment. Kaelen could feel the strain, his muscles burning as he parried and dodged.

"Any bright ideas, Sigrid?" he called out, his voice strained.

"Keep it occupied!" she shouted, her hands glowing as she prepared another spell.

Kaelen gritted his teeth, launching himself at the creature with reckless determination. His blade struck true, slicing deep into its side. The Kryntara howled in fury, thrashing wildly as it turned on him.

Sigrid’s spell erupted in a brilliant flash, enveloping the Kryntara in a searing wave of energy. The creature writhed and screamed before collapsing to the ground, its body dissolving into a pool of inky blackness.

As the echoes of the battle faded, Kaelen turned to the altar, his chest heaving. "That was too close."

Sigrid approached the altar cautiously, her expression grave. "The seal is weaker than I thought. If we don’t find a way to reinforce it, more creatures like that will emerge—and worse."

Nessa nodded, her gaze distant. "This isn’t just about a village or even a kingdom. Whatever’s down here—it’s spreading. And if we don’t stop it, it’ll consume everything."

Kaelen sheathed his sword, his jaw set. "Then we’d better find whoever’s responsible for this. Fast."

The faint glow of the runes on the altar flickered, and a low, ominous hum filled

the chamber. It wasn’t just a seal—it was a warning.

And time was running out.