章 200: relic

The weight of the relic settled heavily against Emily's chest as the tension in the temple eased, but the air was still thick with the remnants of the dark magic the figure had wielded. Mara knelt beside her, offering a steadying hand while Calem scanned the area, his staff held tightly at his side. The figure had vanished, but the danger remained.

"We can't stay here," Calem said finally, his voice strained from exertion and fear. "It might have retreated, but it'll return. We've seen its power—it's not going to stop until it has what it came for."

Mara nodded, wiping a thin sheen of sweat from her brow. "He's right. We need to keep moving."