Chapter 681: Chapter 681: The Shattered Masquerade

The eerie stillness of the cavern was pierced by the crackling of energy as Elara and her companions stood at the threshold of the ancient portal. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the faint echoes of forgotten voices. The walls of the cavern were adorned with runes that glowed with a dim, unsettling light, casting flickering shadows on the floor.

Elara's heart pounded in her chest as she stared at the portal, a massive stone archway covered in intricate carvings that seemed to pulse with a faint, magical energy. The portal's surface was a shimmering veil, shifting between hues of deep blue and vibrant violet, as if it were a living entity waiting to be awakened.

Kirin, standing beside her, examined the runes with a furrowed brow. "These markings," he said, "they look like they're part of an ancient protective enchantment. We'll need to deactivate it before we can pass through."