WINGS OF ASH AND DESIRE

omed on either side, and the faint glow of Keryth's staff was their only light. The air wa

ncts keeping him alert. The Rift wasn't just a place of ancient danger-it

ilently, her steps unsteady but determined. For all

" he said, his

replied curtly, no

How to spin a

ver stop being a self-righteous brute? I don't owe yo

hould start figuring it out. That thing down there knew your n

t him but sa

ping closer. "Another thing you

passage. "You don't trust me, fine. But if we're going to

"You haven't exactly giv

, but before either could say more, a faint noise

fened. "Wha

ning in on the sound. It was coming from ahead, faint

" he said, h

its center stood a massive stone altar, covered in runes similar to those in the Rift. Surrou

softly. "A sum

re trying to release w

ntensity. The runes on the altar pulsed, releasing te

finish," Keryth w

dded. "St

ames igniting around him. The cloaked figures turned, the

them shouted, thei

bolts of energy at Drayen, but he dodged nimbly, closing the distance with ter

ed their efforts, the runes o

raised. "You're not doing this a

as she targeted the altar. The summoning energ

ed, pointing at her.

ed, flames erupting around him as he intercepted them. He moved l

as she fought to break the ritual. The runes flickered wil

g both hands, they summoned a blade of

ee himself from his current opponent, but the f

to block the shadow blade. The impact sent her

meddling with," the figure hissed.

h spat, forcing the figure b

d coldly. "That c

d the tendrils of dark energy surged towar

s exploding from his body

with the dark magic. The force of the clash sent shockwaves

knees, gasping for air a

ry, their form dissolving into shadows as the ritual collapsed. Th

de, his eyes scanning her fo

catching her breath. "I'm

s grip firm. "No, it's not. A

aintly. Neither of them noticed the small, black crystal form