The following morning, the group broke camp early, setting off under the faint glow of dawn as the mist drifted lazily over the forest. Raven moved alongside Mihai, his larger frame allowing him to carry extra supplies, and he moved with a grace and strength that spoke of his newfound power. Elanor, Cian, and Mihai fell into a steady pace, their steps in sync as they adjusted to the rugged terrain.

As they traveled, the forest began to thin, giving way to rocky outcroppings and narrow trails that wove up and around the low hills marking the base of the dwarven range. The air grew colder, carrying with it the earthy scent of pine and the faint mineral tang of stone.

For a while, the journey was peaceful, filled with the soft crunch of leaves underfoot and the distant calls of birds. Cian, who had grown more comfortable with the group over the weeks, began speaking up with a rare smile, his gaze flicking between Mihai and Elanor.

“So,” Cian said, adjusting his quiver. “What do you both know about the dwarves? I’ve only ever heard tales, and they’re mostly about their endless appetite for ale.”

Elanor chuckled, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. “Dwarves are much more than that, I assure you. They have a deep connection to the mountains and the earth itself. Their craftsmanship is legendary—not just for their skill, but for the heart they pour into their work. Every weapon, every piece of armor is more than just metal and stone. It’s a piece of their soul.”

Mihai nodded thoughtfully, recalling the words of Brokk, the blacksmith who had given him his armor. “Brokk once told me that a dwarf’s pride in their craft is what makes them who they are. Without it, they’re lost.”

Cian’s face softened, a hint of awe in his expression. “Guess we’ll see it for ourselves soon enough. Just hope they don’t mind an extra few humans hanging around their mountain.”

Elanor gave him a reassuring smile. “The dwarves value strength and resilience. I think they’ll recognize that in each of you.”

The path wound higher, and soon the forest faded entirely, leaving only scrubby grass and boulders scattered across the mountainside. The view was breathtaking—rugged peaks stretching as far as the eye could see, each one cloaked in shadow and mist, giving the landscape a sense of ancient mystery.

But as they moved onward, a change in the air sent a shiver through Mihai. He noticed that the silence had deepened, the usual sounds of wildlife conspicuously absent.

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“Hold up,” he said, his voice low, glancing around.

Raven’s ears perked, and he let out a low growl, his amber eyes scanning the shadows between the rocks.

Elanor’s gaze sharpened. “Something isn’t right.”

They slowed, their hands instinctively going to their weapons as they moved cautiously forward. The rocky path narrowed ahead, flanked by steep cliffs on either side, creating a natural bottleneck.

Just as they reached the edge of the pass, a shadow flickered across the rocks, followed by a low, guttural hiss. Emerging from the darkness was a creature twisted and malformed, its skin mottled and gray, with eyes that glowed faintly with an eerie light. It was unlike anything Mihai had seen before, a creature that looked as though it had once been a wild beast but was now corrupted, its body contorted by the same dark magic they’d encountered before.

Elanor’s voice was barely a whisper. “A darkness curse… it’s spread even here.”

The creature’s lips curled back, revealing rows of jagged teeth, and with a sudden burst of speed, it lunged at them. Mihai moved on instinct, drawing his swords in a swift, fluid motion. The creature was faster than he expected, dodging to the side as Mihai swung, its claws striking toward him with a deadly precision.

Cian moved quickly, notching an arrow and releasing it with a subtle manipulation of his power. The arrow accelerated mid-flight, catching the creature off guard as it struck its shoulder with a force that sent it reeling.

Mihai seized the opening, his swords flashing as he struck at the creature’s exposed side. The twisted beast let out a furious hiss, its movements growing more erratic as it tried to evade their attacks. But Mihai moved with practiced precision, his body reacting almost on instinct, honed by the months of grueling training with Theron.

Elanor, standing a few paces back, extended her hand, murmuring a quiet incantation. A faint, protective aura shimmered around Mihai and Cian, her Spirit Caller abilities fortifying them against the creature’s dark energy.

The creature circled, its glowing eyes fixed on Mihai as it prepared to lunge again, its claws scraping against the stone. But before it could strike, Raven leapt forward with a ferocious snarl, his massive form colliding with the creature in a whirlwind of fur and fangs. The beast struggled under Raven’s weight, snapping and clawing in an attempt to break free, but Raven’s powerful jaws closed around its neck, pinning it to the ground.

Mihai took a steadying breath, stepping forward to deliver a final blow. His swords flashed down, and the creature fell still, its twisted body lying motionless on the rocky ground.

For a moment, the group stood in silence, catching their breath as the eerie glow in the creature’s eyes faded. Mihai sheathed his swords, glancing at the others with a sense of grim satisfaction.

Elanor knelt beside the creature’s body, her hand hovering just above its chest as she closed her eyes, her expression tense. After a moment, she rose, her gaze troubled.

“This darkness… it’s deeper than I thought,” she murmured. “The corruption isn’t just spreading. It’s warping everything it touches, even the land itself.”

Cian nodded, his face pale as he surveyed the creature’s remains. “So we’re facing not just corrupted creatures, but a darkness that can turn anything into… that.”

Raven padded over to Mihai’s side, his amber eyes solemn as he regarded the group. “This corruption feels ancient, as if it’s been waiting here, feeding off the mountain itself,” he said quietly, his voice resonating in Mihai’s mind.

Mihai nodded, feeling a chill settle over him. “Whatever lies deeper within these mountains, it’s been here a long time—and it’s getting stronger.”

Elanor’s expression hardened, a spark of determination in her eyes. “Then we have to move quickly. The longer this darkness festers, the more it will spread, and the harder it will be to stop.”