Chapter 5 Shadows on the Horizon

The path back to the surface was as treacherous as the cavern below. Jagged stone walls loomed on either side, and the faint glow of Keryth's staff was their only light. The air was thick with tension, the unspoken weight of the voice's warning pressing on both of them.

Drayen's mind churned with questions as he took the lead, his dragon instincts keeping him alert. The Rift wasn't just a place of ancient danger-it was a weapon waiting to be unleashed. And somehow, Keryth was tied to it.

He glanced over his shoulder at her. She followed silently, her steps unsteady but determined. For all her bravado, she looked shaken. Vulnerable, even.

"You're quiet," he said, his tone neutral.

"I'm thinking," she replied curtly, not meeting his gaze.

"About what? How to spin another lie?"

Keryth stopped abruptly, her eyes flashing. "Do you ever stop being a self-righteous brute? I don't owe you explanations for things I don't understand myself."

Drayen turned to face her, his arms crossed. "Then maybe you should start figuring it out. That thing down there knew your name. It called you the key. Sounds like more than coincidence."

She glared at him but said nothing.

"Let me guess," he pressed, stepping closer. "Another thing you conveniently forgot to mention?"

"Enough!" Keryth snapped, her voice echoing in the narrow passage. "You don't trust me, fine. But if we're going to survive this, you need to stop treating me like the enemy."

Drayen's eyes narrowed. "You haven't exactly given me a reason not to."

The tension between them crackled like a live wire, but before either could say more, a faint noise echoed through the tunnel-a low, rhythmic thumping.

Keryth stiffened. "What is that?"

Drayen raised a hand for silence, his dragon senses honing in on the sound. It was coming from ahead, faint but growing louder. His claws extended instinctively.

"Stay close," he said, his voice low.

They moved cautiously, the passage widening into a chamber bathed in an eerie, bluish glow. At its center stood a massive stone altar, covered in runes similar to those in the Rift. Surrounding it were six cloaked figures, their hands raised as they chanted in a guttural language.

Keryth gasped softly. "A summoning ritual."

Drayen frowned. "They're trying to release whatever's down there."

The figures moved in unison, their voices rising in intensity. The runes on the altar pulsed, releasing tendrils of dark energy that snaked toward the ceiling.

"We can't let them finish," Keryth whispered urgently.

Drayen nodded. "Stay back."

Before she could protest, he charged into the chamber, flames igniting around him. The cloaked figures turned, their chanting faltering as he unleashed a torrent of fire.

"Stop them!" one of them shouted, their voice distorted.

Two of the figures broke away, their hands glowing with dark magic. They hurled bolts of energy at Drayen, but he dodged nimbly, closing the distance with terrifying speed. His claws slashed through their defenses, sending them sprawling.

The remaining figures redoubled their efforts, the runes on the altar glowing brighter.

Keryth stepped forward, her staff raised. "You're not doing this alone," she said, her voice firm.

She began chanting, her runes flaring to life as she targeted the altar. The summoning energy wavered, destabilized by her counter-spell.

The lead figure snarled, pointing at her. "The witch! Take her!"

Two more figures rushed toward Keryth, weapons drawn. Drayen roared, flames erupting around him as he intercepted them. He moved like a force of nature, his fire consuming everything in his path.

Keryth focused on the altar, sweat dripping down her face as she fought to break the ritual. The runes flickered wildly, their light dimming with each word of her incantation.

But the lead figure wasn't done. Raising both hands, they summoned a blade of pure shadow and charged toward Keryth.

Drayen saw the danger too late. He fought to free himself from his current opponent, but the figure was fast, closing the distance in seconds.

Keryth turned just in time, her staff coming up to block the shadow blade. The impact sent her staggering, her barrier spell barely holding.

"You don't understand what you're meddling with," the figure hissed. "This world belongs to the Rift."

"Not while I'm alive," Keryth spat, forcing the figure back with a burst of energy.

The leader laughed coldly. "That can be arranged."

The runes on the altar flared suddenly, and the tendrils of dark energy surged toward Keryth, wrapping around her like chains.

"No!" Drayen roared, flames exploding from his body as he finally broke free.

He launched himself at the altar, his dragonfire colliding with the dark magic. The force of the clash sent shockwaves through the chamber, throwing the cloaked figures backward.

Keryth collapsed to her knees, gasping for air as the tendrils dissolved.

The altar cracked, its glow fading. The lead figure screamed in fury, their form dissolving into shadows as the ritual collapsed. The remaining figures fled, their chants turning to panicked shouts.

Drayen rushed to Keryth's side, his eyes scanning her for injuries. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head, still catching her breath. "I'm fine. But this isn't over."

He helped her to her feet, his grip firm. "No, it's not. And next time, they won't run."

As they turned to leave, the shattered altar began to pulse faintly. Neither of them noticed the small, black crystal forming at its center, its surface glowing with an ominous light.