The forest around the group seemed alive with whispers. Shadows flickered in their peripheral vision, vanishing whenever they tried to focus. The air grew heavy, almost suffocating, as if the very world knew what they sought to do. The Third Gate wasn't just protected by the Shadow's power—it was deeply entwined with it.
"Does anyone else feel like we're being watched?" Liara asked, her hand gripping her bow tightly, her knuckles pale against the wood.
"We are," Zara said grimly, her staff's crystal faintly glowing. "This realm is alive. It senses us, testing our resolve."
Jacob walked ahead of them, the amulet around his neck pulsating softly. The glow was weaker than before, as though the artifact itself was losing faith. He tried to ignore it, but doubt crept into his mind. What if they had already failed?
They reached a clearing where a ruined structure lay sprawled across the ground. The stones were cracked and blackened, their surfaces etched with faint markings. Jacob crouched down, brushing the dirt from the carvings.
"These symbols..." he muttered. "They're similar to the ones on the Second Gate."
"They're warnings," Zara said, peering over his shoulder. Her face was pale, and her voice wavered slightly. "The Third Gate's power isn't just to protect—it's to trap. Anyone who enters unprepared may never leave."
A low growl echoed through the clearing, freezing them in place. Jacob slowly rose to his feet, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade.
From the treeline, a massive shadow emerged. It wasn't just any creature—it was a Shadow Beast, larger than any they had encountered before. Its eyes glowed a deep crimson, and its body seemed to shift and ripple as though made of liquid darkness.
"Stay together!" Jacob shouted, drawing his sword. The blade's edge gleamed faintly, its enchantments activating.
Liara fired an arrow, its tip glowing with Zara's magic. The arrow struck the beast's shoulder, causing it to let out a deafening roar. But instead of recoiling, the creature absorbed the light, its form growing darker.
"It's feeding on light magic!" Zara cried. "We need another approach!"
The beast lunged, its massive claws swiping through the air. The group scattered, barely avoiding the attack. Jacob rolled to the side and swung his blade, but the weapon passed through the creature's form as though it were smoke.
"It's intangible!" Liara yelled, firing another arrow that dissolved before reaching its target. "How are we supposed to fight this thing?"
Jacob gritted his teeth, his mind racing. The amulet around his neck began to glow brighter, its warmth spreading through him. He closed his eyes, focusing on the connection he felt to the artifact.
"Zara!" he called. "Channel your magic into the amulet!"
She hesitated for a moment, then raised her staff. The crystal at its tip pulsed as she directed a stream of energy toward the amulet. The artifact absorbed the magic, its light intensifying.
The beast roared and charged at Jacob, its claws poised to strike. But as it reached him, a burst of energy erupted from the amulet, enveloping the creature. The shadows that made up its form were torn apart, scattering into the air like smoke in the wind.
The clearing fell silent once more. Jacob lowered his sword, breathing heavily. The amulet's glow dimmed, but its warmth lingered.
"Is it gone?" Liara asked, her voice trembling.
"For now," Zara said, though her expression remained wary. "That was no ordinary Shadow Beast. It was a sentinel, meant to delay us—or worse."
Jacob nodded, his gaze fixed on the ruined structure ahead. "The Third Gate is close. But if that's what we faced before even reaching it..."
"We'll be ready," Liara said, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes.
The group pressed on, the oppressive atmosphere growing heavier with each step. The path ahead was shrouded in darkness, but they moved forward with unwavering determination.
And deep within the ruins, something stirred. A faint glow emanated from the heart of the structure, pulsing in time with the rhythm of their footsteps. The Third Gate awaited them—and so did the trials that would decide the fate of their world.
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