บท 167: Heroine and Lucan Facing First Trial

The ancient temple loomed before Lucan and Maris, its entrance a yawning maw of darkness that seemed to swallow all light. The stone steps leading up to it were worn and cracked, the centuries that had passed since anyone had dared to enter.

Lucan paused at the entrance, glancing at Maris. "Are you ready?"

Maris nodded, "Ready as I'll ever be."

They stepped inside, the darkness closing in around them. As they crossed the threshold, Lucan felt a strange sensation, as if the air itself was pressing in on him. Suddenly, the magical energy that had always hummed within him, a constant and familiar presence, vanished. Lucan staggered, instinctively reaching out with his senses, only to find... nothing.

He turned to Maris, who had a similar look of shock on her face. "Our powers... they're gone," she whispered, her voice tinged with disbelief.