Chapter 90: Rising Tempest

The morning light filtered through the dense forest as Kael and Varian's group moved swiftly through the trees. The tension from the previous night had faded, replaced by a shared sense of purpose. They had become allies, bound by the knowledge of the coming storm.

Varian took the lead, his eyes scanning the path ahead. He was a seasoned warrior, his movements fluid and precise. The others followed closely behind, each one alert and ready for whatever dangers might come their way.

"Where exactly are we heading?" one of the group asked, a younger woman with short, auburn hair.

"To the ancient ruins in the north," Kael replied, stepping forward. "There's something there—something that might help us."

"Ruins?" Varian glanced over his shoulder, a skeptical look on his face. "You're not thinking of those cursed ruins, are you? The ones that swallow anyone who dares venture too close?"

"I know the risks," Kael said, his tone resolute. "But it's the only place left with answers. The Arcanum System points toward it."

The mention of the Arcanum System made the group quiet down again, all eyes briefly shifting to Kael. He had become a symbol of hope overnight, though the burden of expectation weighed heavily on his shoulders. Every step felt like a march toward a final confrontation—one he wasn't sure they were ready for.

As the day wore on, the air grew heavier, and Kael felt a shift in the atmosphere. His senses, now heightened by the Arcanum, picked up something unnatural—a disturbance in the flow of energy around them.

"We're being watched," Kael whispered to Varian.

Varian's hand tightened around the hilt of his sword. "I've felt it too."

They continued walking, pretending to ignore the feeling, but everyone in the group was on edge. The trees seemed darker, the wind colder, as if the forest itself was warning them to turn back. But Kael pressed on, driven by a force greater than fear.

Suddenly, a rustle from behind them broke the silence. Kael whipped around, drawing his sword in one fluid motion. The others followed suit, their weapons gleaming in the dappled sunlight.

Out of the shadows stepped a figure draped in dark robes, their face hidden beneath a hood. The air around them crackled with an ominous energy.

"So, you're the one wielding the Arcanum System," the figure said, their voice cold and hollow.

Kael raised his sword, narrowing his eyes. "Who are you?"

The figure didn't answer, instead raising a hand. A bolt of dark energy shot toward Kael, but he was ready. With a swift movement, he deflected the attack with his blade, the force of it sending him skidding back a few feet.

Varian and the others moved in to surround the figure, but before they could strike, the robed enemy vanished into thin air, leaving only a chilling echo behind.

"They're testing us," Varian muttered, scanning the area for any signs of another attack.

Kael sheathed his sword, his mind racing. The appearance of the dark figure only confirmed his fears: the enemy knew about the Arcanum System, and they weren't going to let him reach the ruins unchallenged.

"We need to move faster," Kael said