The ruins were eerily silent as Elara, Kirin, Seraphina, and Jarek retraced their steps toward the stone door. The air around them felt heavier with each passing moment, as if the magic that had just tested them was still lingering, watching, waiting for their next move.
Elara gripped the amulet tightly in her hand, its surface warm to the touch, pulsing faintly with a rhythm that matched her own heartbeat. This key they had found was more than just a tool—it was alive, filled with the ancient power of the beings who had built this place.
"We don't know what's on the other side of that door," Seraphina said, her voice barely a whisper as they neared the towering stone barrier once more.
Elara nodded. "Whatever it is, it's the only way forward."
Jarek shot her a skeptical glance. "You sure this key isn't just another trap? We've been jumping through enough hoops as it is."