As I held the crystal orb, I could feel its power coursing through me. I looked at my friends, and they nodded in unison. We found a quiet spot, away from prying eyes, and I focused my thoughts.
"Lunaria, what do you know about our destination?" I asked, seeking to uncover any hidden information.
Lunaria's eyes narrowed, and she hesitated before speaking. "I've heard rumors of a hidden city, deep within the heart of the nearby mountains. But I know not what secrets it holds."
I took a deep breath, raised the crystal orb, and concentrated on the question. The orb began to glow, and a vision appeared before us.
A hidden city, indeed, with towering spires and ancient structures. But something was amiss. A dark energy lingered, like a shadow cast over the city.
Suddenly, the vision vanished, and I felt a pang of unease. The crystal orb's power had revealed a secret, but at what cost?
As the vision from the crystal orb faded, I felt a shiver run down my spine. The dark energy lingering over the hidden city was unmistakable. Thane's concerned expression mirrored my own.
"What do you think it means?" Thane asked, his voice low.
I shook my head. "I'm not sure, but I think we should be cautious."
Lunaria's eyes gleamed with a hint of excitement. "We should investigate further. We can't let a little darkness scare us off."
As she spoke, her body began to shift, her limbs shortening, and her senses heightening. Her beautiful silver fur emerged, and she stood before us in her majestic fox form. Zarek followed suit, his bushy tail wagging anxiously.
I felt the familiar surge of energy within me, and I let my own transformation take hold. My nine tails emerged, and I stood tall, my senses heightened. Thane, too, transformed, his powerful physique evident even in his fox form.
Together, we set off towards the hidden city, our paws silent on the ground. The darkness ahead seemed to grow thicker, but we pressed on, undaunted.
As we approached the ancient city, the air grew thick with the scent of decay and neglect. Crumbling structures loomed before us, their once-majestic spires now shattered and worn. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the distant howl of wind through the ruins.
We padded through the desolate streets, our paws echoing off the crumbling walls. The city seemed to stretch on forever, a labyrinth of ancient secrets and mysteries waiting to be uncovered.
Lunaria, in her silver fox form, darted ahead, her bushy tail twitching with excitement. Zarek followed closely, his ears perked up and alert. Thane and I brought up the rear, our eyes scanning the ruins for any sign of danger.
As we explored the city, we stumbled upon a massive stone temple, its entrance guarded by a pair of imposing stone statues. The air around the temple seemed to vibrate with ancient energy, and I could feel the crystal orb's power stirring within me.