pay

Zara's hands trembled slightly as she worked, muttering incantations under her breath. The air in the sanctuary felt thick, almost suffocating, as if the walls themselves were watching us. I stood a few paces behind her, Raven and Leif flanking me, both tense and on edge. The whispers that had been a faint hum before now swirled around us like a rising storm, louder and more insistent. It felt like the sanctuary itself was trying to warn us.

"We should have left hours ago," Raven muttered, his eyes flicking nervously toward the shadows. "This place reeks of dark magic."

Leif, ever the scout, nodded in agreement. "The dark force is closer. I can feel it." His voice was tight, controlled, but I knew he was as unnerved as the rest of us.