Kaelen charged toward the obelisk, its oppressive aura pressing against him with every step. The runes on its surface pulsed faster, as though responding to his presence. Behind him, the chamber was chaos—Sigrid’s magic clashed violently with the creatures surging toward her, her movements a blur of precision and power.

The dark figure moved to intercept Kaelen, its form rippling like smoke and shadow. A jagged weapon formed in its hand—a sword of pure black energy, its edges flickering with malice.

“You cannot destroy what you don’t understand,” the figure hissed, its voice resonating unnaturally.

Kaelen smirked, his blade cutting through the air as he lunged. “Good thing I’m not much for understanding.”

Their weapons clashed, the impact shaking the ground beneath them. The dark figure moved with inhuman speed, its strikes precise and unrelenting. Kaelen countered with raw power and adaptability, his every swing pushing the figure back a step.

“Impressive,” it said, its tone dripping with mockery. “But strength alone will not save you.”

Kaelen feigned a retreat, drawing the figure closer before pivoting and slamming his shoulder into it. The unexpected move threw it off balance, giving him an opening to deliver a devastating slash across its chest.

The figure staggered, dark energy spilling from the wound like smoke. It let out a guttural growl, its form flickering.

“See? Told you I’m full of surprises,” Kaelen quipped, though his breaths were labored.

Sigrid, meanwhile, was locked in her own battle. Her silver glyphs flared as she summoned precise bursts of magic, each spell tearing through the monstrous forms swarming her. Despite her focus, the strain was evident—her movements were slightly slower, her breaths more ragged.

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A massive beast lunged at her, its claws poised to strike. Sigrid muttered an incantation, a shimmering barrier forming just in time to deflect the attack. She retaliated with a concentrated blast of energy, the force disintegrating the creature in an instant.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kaelen engaging the dark figure near the obelisk. “Hurry,” she muttered under her breath, her focus returning to the creatures pressing closer.

Kaelen’s battle with the shadowed figure reached a fever pitch. The figure unleashed a flurry of strikes, its blade a blur of black energy. Kaelen dodged and parried, his movements growing more desperate as the figure pressed its advantage.

“You fight well,” it said, its voice echoing unnaturally. “But you are outmatched.”

Kaelen gritted his teeth, his muscles straining as he blocked another blow. “Yeah, well… I’ve heard that before.”

He ducked under a swing and drove his shoulder into the figure again, forcing it back. Without wasting a moment, he turned and sprinted toward the obelisk.

The figure roared, its form distorting as it lunged after him. Kaelen reached the obelisk just as the figure’s blade slashed at his back. The edge caught him, searing pain erupting across his shoulder, but he didn’t stop.

With a defiant yell, Kaelen raised his sword and brought it down on the obelisk with all his strength.

The impact sent a shockwave through the chamber, the runes on the obelisk flaring brightly before shattering. A deafening roar filled the air as the dark energy within the obelisk erupted outward, consuming the figure and its monstrous allies in a torrent of light and shadow.

The chamber fell silent, the oppressive aura dissipating. Kaelen collapsed to one knee, his sword still embedded in the now-crumbling obelisk. He clutched his wounded shoulder, his breaths shallow.

Sigrid approached, her silver hair disheveled and her glyphs flickering faintly. “You’re bleeding,” she said, her tone flat but her eyes betraying a hint of concern.

Kaelen looked up at her, managing a weak grin. “You should see the other guy.”

Sigrid shook her head, kneeling beside him. Her hand hovered over his wound, faint glyphs appearing around her fingers. A soft, warm light emanated from her magic, the pain in his shoulder easing slightly.

“Don’t get used to this,” she said, her voice cold but steady.

Kaelen chuckled weakly. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

As the dust settled, the two hunters stood in the remnants of the underground chamber. The obelisk was gone, its dark energy obliterated. But the carvings on the walls still seemed to writhe, and the air carried a lingering sense of unease.

“This wasn’t the source,” Sigrid said, her voice quiet but resolute.

Kaelen raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean? That thing nearly killed us.”

She gestured to the carvings. “This was a conduit, not the origin. Whatever created this place is still out there.”

Kaelen sighed, sheathing his sword. “Of course it is. Because nothing’s ever simple, is it?”

Sigrid turned to him, her silver eyes meeting his. “We need to keep moving. This is far from over.”

Kaelen nodded, a determined smile breaking through his exhaustion. “Lead the way, Argent.”

The two hunters ascended the spiraling staircase, leaving the ruins behind. The night air aboveground felt heavier, the stars obscured by

gathering clouds.

A storm was coming, and their journey was only beginning.