The wind screamed over the open steppes as Aeron and Kaela spurred their mounts hard, their horses straining to the breaking point. The dim light of Blackmere's torches faded behind them, lost in the vast darkness.
Before them, the terrain changed—green fields giving way to dry earth and crimson sand.
The Crimson Wastes.
Aeron clutched the reins tightly. "We must reach shelter before the dawn."
Kaela searched the horizon. "There—those ruins. Abandoned-looking."
A cluster of shattered stone buildings protruded from the earth, the remnants of a long-lost civilization. They reined in their horses as they drew near, the quiet unsettling.
Aeron slid off first, hammer at the ready. "Keep your wits about you."
Kaela sighed. "I always do."
They entered the ruins, the wind sighing through broken pillars. The air was heavy with dust, the smell of old magic hanging in the air.
"This feels off," Kaela whispered.
Aeron nodded. He could feel it too. Something had happened here—centuries ago.
Echoes of the Past
Kaela kicked at a half-hidden carving with her boot. "Reminds me of Riftguard markings."
Aeron knelt at the stone's side, scooping away dust. **Gently worn runes graced the surface—**the same carvings etched on his hammer.
"It's a warning," he spoke softly.
Kaela shrugged an eyebrow. "About what?"
Aeron followed the outline of the biggest symbol, his chest constricting.
The Mark of Valthir.
"We're closer than we knew," he said. "These ruins are Riftguard."
Kaela breathed out. "Which means we're in the right place."
Aeron examined the stone. "Or in trouble."
Before she could say anything, the ground shook.
A low rumble came from beneath the ruins. The air charged with some hidden power.
Kaela drew an arrow. "Tell me that was wind."
Aeron shook his head. "Something's stirring."
The Sand Wraiths
Shadows in the rubble moved.
At first, they appeared to be illusions of dancing moonlight. But then—
they changed.
Dark ones emerged from the sand, bodies writhing and twisting like living smoke. Empty eyes of purple light fixated on Aeron and Kaela.
Kaela cursed under her breath. "I hate ghosts."
Aeron did not flinch, his hammer glowing pale. "Not ghosts."
The beings hissed, their voices the sound of wind through broken stone.
Kaela drew an arrow. "Then what are they?"
Aeron let out a breath.
"Wraiths."
A Fight Against Shadows
The lead wraith struck, its form extending in a terrible way. Kaela shot an arrow through it—it traveled harmlessly through.
"Good," she growled.
Aeron bellowed his hammer as one wraith drew closer. Silver flames flared with impact, and the wretch shrieked, its shape disintegrating into ash.
Kaela whistled. "Fine, fire is good.".
Kaela picked up a torch lying nearby, lighting an arrow before shooting. The arrow pierced a wraith's head, setting it aflame in a burst of fire.
Aeron battled with precision—each swing of his hammer sending shockwaves through the rubble. Wraiths screamed as they burned, their black bodies disintegrating.
The final creature paused. It observed Aeron.
Then it spoke—a voice not its own.
"The Shadowborn observes. The Riftbearer shall fall."
Aeron's heart pounded.
Before he could respond, the wraith was gone, carried away by the wind.
What the Wraith Knew
Kaela leaned against a pillar, gasping for air. "That was fun."
Aeron wasn't paying attention. His mind was reeling.
The wraith had talked.
And it knew about the Shadowborn.
Kaela saw his face. "You okay?"
Aeron looked at her. "They're not just creatures. They're messengers."
She scowled. "For whom?"
Aeron took a breath. "For the Shadowborn."
Kaela's face grew grim. "You think it's still after us?"
Aeron tightened his hammer.
"I know it is."
The Path Ahead
As the dawn lightened the sky, Aeron and Kaela examined the devastated carvings.
They constructed the map, tracing the way to Valthir's Hollow.
Kaela cinched her equipment. "We ought to leave before something else slithers out of the sand."
Aeron nodded. "Let's leave."
With the Crimson Wastes lying before them, they set their horses onto the sandy trail.
The ruins had provided answers.
But Aeron knew—far worse evils lay ahead.
And deep in the night, the Shadowborn was approaching.