The silence in the sanctuary was suffocating. The shattered remains of the altar glimmered faintly, fragments of corrupted crystal still pulsing weakly. Elara struggled to her feet, her body trembling from the strain of her magic. Kael’s steady hand supported her, his silver eyes scanning the chamber for any lingering threats.

“Is it truly over?” Lyria’s voice broke the silence, her words trembling with uncertainty.

“For now,” Kael said, his tone cautious. “But this was only a fragment of the corruption. Whatever force drives it is still out there, waiting.”

Elara’s gaze fell to the crystal she still held. Its light had dimmed, but it pulsed faintly, resonating with a quiet power. “This isn’t the end,” she murmured. “The sanctuary’s energy… it’s not cleansed. Something deeper is at work.”

Kael nodded grimly. “The altar was a focal point, not the source. The true corruption runs far deeper, and it’s using the ley lines to spread.”

As if in confirmation, the runes etched into the walls began to flicker, their glow waning until the chamber was bathed in cold, oppressive darkness. A low rumble shook the ground beneath them.

“Out!” Kael ordered, his voice sharp. “The sanctuary is collapsing.”

The group sprinted toward the entrance, their breaths ragged and echoing in the narrow corridors. Elara clutched the crystal tightly, its faint glow guiding their way. Just as they reached the threshold, the sanctuary shuddered violently, and a cascade of stone crumbled behind them.

They emerged into the frigid dawn, the mountain air biting at their skin. Behind them, the sanctuary’s entrance caved in completely, sealing whatever mysteries remained within its depths.

Later, as the group rested at the base of the ruins, Kael called Elara aside. The others busied themselves with repairs to their gear and tending to the injured, giving them a rare moment of privacy.

“You did more than I expected,” Kael said, his voice low but steady.

Elara raised an eyebrow, folding her arms. “More than you expected? Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

A faint smirk tugged at his lips. “Take it as you will, but I meant it. You showed strength back there—a strength that will be needed in the battles to come.”

“I don’t know if I can do it again,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “That power… it felt like it might consume me.”

Kael stepped closer, his presence grounding her. “It won’t, because you won’t face it alone. We’ll learn more about your magic, and we’ll find a way to use it to end this corruption. Together.”

Elara met his gaze, and for the first time, she saw something beyond his stoic exterior: a flicker of vulnerability, a hint of the burden he carried. “Together, then,” she said, extending her hand.

Kael clasped her hand in his, the touch warm despite the cold. “A vow, then. We fight this corruption, no matter the cost.”

Their hands lingered for a moment before Kael released her, his usual composure returning. “Rest now. We’ll leave at first light. There’s much ground to cover, and the next battle will be harder still.”