0290 -
Finally, with one last surge of power, Selene broke the wards. The guardian let out a final, echoing roar before it crumbled into a pile of sand and stone. The constructs dissolved, returning to the desert from which they had come.
The group stood in the aftermath, breathing heavily, their bodies aching from the exertion. The oasis was once again still, the unnatural silence replaced by the gentle rustling of the wind.
"We did it," Darian said, sheathing his sword. "Barely."
Wei Lin nodded, though her expression was still cautious. "We can rest here, but not for long. There might be more guardians, and we need to keep moving."
Mara knelt by the water, dipping her hands in and drinking deeply. "Let's take what we can and get out of here. The sooner we reach those ruins, the better."