Keystones of the Abyss

The morning air was sharp and crisp, the faint chirping of unseen birds the only sound accompanying Kian and Elara as they made their way through the dense forest. Shadows of ancient trees loomed above, their twisted branches creating a network of shifting patterns on the forest floor. Despite the beauty, an unshakable tension hung in the air.

"Are we even sure this path will take us to the ruins?" Kian asked, swiping a low-hanging branch out of his way.

Elara gave him a sidelong glance. "You doubted my map-reading skills back in the village. Are you planning to make it a habit?"

"Not doubting. Just… verifying." He smirked. "You have to admit, last time you got us lost for—what was it?—two hours?"

Elara sighed dramatically. "One wrong turn, Kian. One."

Their bickering was lighthearted, but both knew that it was a facade to mask their nervousness. After all, their current mission wasn't one to take lightly. The ruins of Eldrath were rumored to be cursed—a place steeped in dark magic that had swallowed entire adventuring parties whole.

As they reached a small clearing, Zara caught up with them, her spear resting casually against her shoulder. "You two done flirting, or should I come back later?"

Kian opened his mouth to retort, but a rustling sound cut him off. He immediately froze, his instincts kicking in. Zara's hand tightened around her spear as her eyes darted to the tree line.

"Stay quiet," she whispered.

From the shadows, a pair of glowing red eyes emerged. Then another. And another. Before long, a pack of wolf-like creatures with matted black fur and unnaturally long claws stepped into the clearing. Their low growls reverberated through the air.

"Shadowhounds," Elara muttered, her voice barely audible. "They're not supposed to be this far out of the ruins."

"Tell them that," Kian said, drawing his blade.

The pack leader, larger than the others with jagged scars crisscrossing its face, let out a bone-chilling howl. The hounds charged as one, their movements unnaturally fast.

Zara reacted first, lunging forward with her spear in a fluid motion. She impaled one of the creatures mid-leap, but another was already at her flank. Elara raised her staff, muttering an incantation under her breath. A burst of golden light erupted, sending two hounds sprawling back.

Kian sidestepped an incoming swipe from one of the creatures, countering with a swift upward slash. His blade connected, sending black ichor spraying across the ground. "Couldn't we have just faced a normal pack of wolves for once?"

"Where's the fun in that?" Zara shouted, spinning to block another attack.

Despite their initial success, the group quickly found themselves surrounded. The Shadowhounds were relentless, their numbers seeming endless. Elara's magic flickered as exhaustion began to set in, and Kian's arms ached from the constant strain of battle.

"Kian, behind you!" Zara shouted.

He turned just in time to see the pack leader pounce, its claws aimed for his throat. Bracing himself, he raised his sword, but before the creature could reach him, a fiery bolt streaked through the air, striking it square in the chest. The pack leader let out a piercing yelp before collapsing in a heap.

Kian looked back in surprise to see a figure stepping out of the trees. It was a young man with auburn hair and piercing green eyes. He held a small crossbow in one hand, its tip still glowing with the remnants of the fiery shot.

"Need a hand?" the newcomer asked with a grin.

The remaining Shadowhounds hesitated, their glowing eyes flickering uncertainly. Without their leader, they began to retreat, vanishing into the shadows as quickly as they had appeared.

The stranger lowered his crossbow and approached the group. "You're lucky I was passing through. Those things would've torn you apart."

"And who exactly are you?" Zara asked, her spear still raised defensively.

"Name's Finn," he said, offering a mock salute. "Let's just say I've got a vested interest in the ruins ahead."

Elara frowned. "You know about Eldrath?"

"More than you might think," Finn replied, his expression turning serious. "If you're planning on going there, you'll need more than luck to survive."

Kian sheathed his sword, studying Finn carefully. He didn't trust him, but the man had just saved their lives. For now, that was enough.

"Alright, Finn," Kian said. "If you know so much, why don't you tell us what we're walking into?"

Finn's grin returned, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Oh, I will. But I hope you're ready for what you're about to hear. Eldrath isn't just cursed—it's a trap. And you're already caught in it."

The group exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of Finn's words sinking in. Whatever awaited them in Eldrath, it was far more dangerous than they had anticipated.