Thirty-Three

Clara, Ethan, and Selene stood on the edge of the mountain, their breaths battered as they gazed down at the sanctuary. The once wonderful structure was presently a disintegrating demolish, rings of dim energy winding up from the gaps within the ground like harmful smoke. The Ascendant's chilling giggling resounded in their ears, a frequenting reminder of the drive they had just unleashed.

“We can't remain here,” Clara said, her voice barely relentless. “We ought to regroup, find the others, and figure out how to stop this.”

Ethan gestured, still holding his sword. His confrontation was a veil of assurance, but Clara saw fear in his eyes. They had confronted obscurity in the past, but nothing like this. “Where do we go?”

Selene, her usually calm demeanor shaken, looked toward the distant forest that bordered the mountain. “There’s a place, deep in the woods, a hidden sanctuary. It’s ancient, older than any of us. If we can get there, we might be able to find something to help us.”

Cla