By the time they reached the outskirts of Eldarath, the sun was setting, casting long shadows over the crumbling stone structures. The ruins were massive, stretching as far as the eye could see, and the air was thick with the scent of decay.

  “This place gives me the creeps,” Elliot said, shivering despite the warm evening air.

  “You’re not alone,” Kael said, his voice low. “Stay alert. We’re not the only ones here.”

  As they ventured deeper into the ruins, Elliot noticed signs of recent activity—footprints in the dust, broken branches, and the faint smell of smoke. Someone had been here before them.

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  “The enemy?” Elliot whispered.

  Kael nodded. “Looks like it. We’ll need to move quickly.”

  The group pressed on, following a map provided by the guildmaster. According to the map, the Aether Core piece was hidden in the central temple, a towering structure at the heart of the ruins. As they approached the temple, they heard voices—hushed and urgent.

  Kael signaled for the group to stop and crouched behind a crumbling wall. Peering around the corner, Elliot saw a group of cloaked figures gathered near the temple entrance. They were speaking in low tones, their words unintelligible but their intent clear.

  “We’ll need to get past them,” Kael whispered. “Any ideas?”

  Lila grinned. “Leave it to me.”

  She raised her staff and muttered a spell. A thick fog began to roll in, enveloping the cloaked figures and obscuring their vision. The group took advantage of the distraction, slipping past the guards and into the temple.