The Sunken Ruins rose eerily from the murky waters of the Shadowfen – crumbling stone structures covered in moss and choked by grasping vines. They were remnants of an ancient Sylvani settlement, swallowed by the swamp centuries ago. A palpable sense of decay hung heavy in the air—a silent testament to time's relentless passage.
"The ruins are protected by ancient wards," Rhyland warned, his voice strained as he navigated a treacherous path through the submerged debris. "Traps designed to deter intruders." He pointed with his staff towards a series of pressure plates hidden beneath layers of silt and vegetation. "Step wrong, and you risk triggering something… unpleasant."
Elara cautiously followed, her senses on high alert. The crystalline shard pulsed warmly in her hand, offering faint glimpses of Sylvani architecture—a fragmented memory of Aerion navigating the ruins with effortless grace.
As they approached the heart of the settlement, a massive stone door blocked their path – intricately carved with images of serpentine creatures entwined around ancient trees. A series of glowing runes pulsed rhythmically on its surface.
"A Serpent's Embrace," Rhyland murmured, his face grim. "The Sylvani believed that balance could only be achieved through understanding both the light and the darkness—the serpent represents the shadow side of nature." He examined the runes closely. "These are not mere symbols; they form a complex lock – requiring a specific sequence to disengage."
Elara focused on the crystalline shard, seeking guidance from Aerion's memory. A fleeting image flashed through her mind - a close-up view of Aerion's hand tracing the runes in a precise pattern, accompanied by a whispered incantation.
"I… I think I know how," Elara said hesitantly, pointing to the sequence of runes. "He traced them in this order – from the heart of the serpent to its tail."
Rhyland studied her intently. "It is worth a try." He nodded encouragingly and placed his hand on the door. Following Elara's instructions, he carefully touched each rune in the correct sequence, whispering the ancient incantation she recalled from Aerion's memory.
The runes pulsed with increasing intensity, then faded away—and with a grinding rumble, the massive stone door slowly began to open, revealing a dark and cavernous chamber beyond.
But their triumph was short-lived. As they stepped into the chamber, the floor beneath them shifted – triggering another trap. A section of the ceiling collapsed, sending a shower of rubble crashing down around them.
Valerius's voice echoed from behind them. "You cannot escape me, Elara."