The journey to the ruins was treacherous, the forest closing in tighter with every step. Branches clawed at Raven’s sleeves like skeletal fingers, and the path seemed to twist and shift underfoot. Ember led the way, her steady pace unwavering despite the oppressive darkness surrounding them. Raven’s thoughts churned as they walked. The Forbidden Curse wasn’t just a legend—it was a warning. One that had been whispered about in hushed tones, even among the most knowledgeable scholars of magic and history. Yet, it had always seemed distant, like a shadow of a threat long forgotten. Now, it felt all too real. “How far are these ruins?” Raven asked, her voice cutting through the eerie silence. “Not far,” Ember replied, glancing back briefly. “We should be there before sunrise. But we need to move quickly. The forest feels… restless.” Raven nodded, glancing over her shoulder. The feeling of being watched hadn’t left her. The shadows seemed to writhe and stretch unnaturally, and every rustle of leaves set her nerves on edge. She tightened her grip on the dagger at her side, the weapon a small comfort in the face of the unknown. Suddenly, Ember stopped short, holding up a hand. Raven nearly collided into her, her heart leaping into her throat. “What is it?” Raven whispered, scanning the darkness for any sign of danger. Ember didn’t answer right away. Instead, she crouched down, brushing her fingers against the forest floor. A faint glow emanated from the earth—runes, ancient and barely visible, carved into the dirt. They pulsed with a dim light, as though alive. “It’s a ward,” Ember murmured, her brow furrowing. “A protective spell… but it’s been tampered with.” Raven knelt beside her, studying the runes. Though she didn’t recognize the symbols, the energy they emitted felt wrong, twisted. “Who would do this? And why?” Ember’s expression darkened. “Someone—or something—wants to keep us out. These wards were meant to seal the ruins and protect whatever lies within. But now… they’re a trap.” A sudden gust of wind swept through the forest, carrying with it a low, guttural growl. Raven’s blood turned to ice as the sound reverberated around them, echoing off unseen trees. She rose to her feet, dagger drawn, her eyes darting to the shadows. “We’re not alone,” she said, her voice steady despite the fear clawing at her chest. Ember stood as well, her fingers weaving a quick spell that sent a faint glow of light around them. The growl grew louder, more distinct, as shapes began to emerge from the darkness. Raven’s breath hitched as she caught sight of glowing red eyes—dozens of them—piercing through the gloom. “Wraith wolves,” Ember said, her tone grim. “Creatures born of shadow and cursed magic. They shouldn’t be here.” “They look pretty here to me,” Raven shot back, taking a step closer to Ember. “What do we do?” “Run,” Ember said simply. “We can’t fight them here. Not without knowing how many there are.” Before Raven could respond, Ember grabbed her arm and pulled her into a sprint. The wraith wolves howled in unison, the sound chilling and otherworldly, as they gave chase. The forest seemed to come alive around them, branches and roots shifting to block their path. Raven’s heart pounded as they leapt over fallen logs and ducked under low-hanging vines, the wolves’ snarls growing closer with every step. “Ember!” Raven shouted as the older woman veered sharply to the right, leading them toward a cluster of towering stones. “Where are we going?” “The ruins!” Ember called back. “They’re just ahead—if we can reach the threshold, we might be safe!” Raven didn’t have time to question her. She focused on keeping up, her legs burning as they raced through the trees. The wolves were close enough now that she could feel their hot breath on the back of her neck. One of them lunged, its claws swiping dangerously close to her ankle, but she managed to pull ahead just in time. Finally, the ruins came into view. Massive stone pillars jutted out of the ground, covered in moss and ancient carvings. Ember led them toward the largest of the structures, a crumbling archway that seemed to hum with latent energy. “Go!” Ember shouted, pushing Raven ahead of her. Raven didn’t hesitate. She darted through the archway, the air around her shifting instantly. A wave of energy washed over her, and the howls of the wraith wolves cut off abruptly. She turned to see Ember stumble through the arch behind her, breathing heavily. The wolves stopped just short of the threshold, their red eyes glaring with fury. They paced back and forth, growling, but they didn’t cross the invisible barrier. “What… just happened?” Raven asked, struggling to catch her breath. “The wards,” Ember said, leaning against the stone for support. “They’re still partially intact. They’re keeping the wolves out—for now.” Raven glanced back at the ruins, the massive structures looming over them like silent sentinels. The air inside the threshold felt heavy, charged with an ancient power. She could sense it now, the presence of something vast and unknowable. “What are we going to find here, Ember?” Raven asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Ember met her gaze, her expression unreadable. “The truth. About the Forbidden Curse. And about what it will take to stop it.” Raven’s stomach churned, but she nodded. Whatever lay ahead, there was no turning back now. Together, they stepped deeper into the ruins, the shadows closing in around them like a shroud.