The afternoon sun filtered through the crumbling rooftops of the abandoned village, casting long shadows that made the narrow streets feel like a twisting maze. The group moved cautiously, trailing behind a small stray dog that darted ahead, occasionally pausing to glance back as if to make sure they were following.

Ardent was at the front, his greatsword resting across his shoulders, scanning the empty alleyways for any signs of movement. Renar walked just behind him, his grip on his trident tight, his sharp gaze shifting nervously between the buildings. Balenor and Caelum trailed at the back, the former with his shield raised defensively, while the latter seemed far too entertained by the small animal leading them.

The dog zigzagged through the streets, taking sharp turns and squeezing through tight spaces that made the others struggle to keep up.

"You know," Caelum said, petting the dog absentmindedly as it darted ahead once more, "we could've just asked a local for directions, but sure, let's trust the mutt."

Ardent glanced over his shoulder, an eyebrow raised. "There are no locals left, genius. Unless you want to ask the Abyss for a map?"

Renar scoffed from behind them, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Maybe the dog's an Abyss spy. Leading us straight into a trap."

The group halted momentarily as the dog stopped at the mouth of a narrow alley, its ears perked up. The creature seemed to hesitate for a moment, sniffing the air before darting into the shadows.

Ardent rolled his eyes. "You're paranoid, Renar."

"Or I'm just smart," Renar muttered.

Caelum laughed lightly, patting Renar on the back. "Hey, at least the dog knows the way better than you do."

Renar opened his mouth to retort, but a sudden loud clatter echoed through the streets, freezing the group in place. All heads whipped toward the source of the noise—a broken wooden crate tumbling down from a nearby rooftop.

The shadows stirred. From the cracks in the walls and corners of the abandoned village, dark figures began to emerge—Abyss creatures, their black, oily forms shifting like liquid as they slithered out from the darkness, eyes glowing faintly with malice.

"Well," Renar growled, spinning his trident into position, "looks like you jinxed it."

Ardent raised his sword, his expression hardening. "No time for bickering. Let's move."

The Abyss minions lunged without hesitation. Their clawed limbs scraped against the cobblestones as they rushed toward the group, their mouths gaping wide with jagged teeth.

Ardent swung his sword in a wide arc, sending one creature crashing into a nearby wall, while Renar thrust his trident into another, pinning it to the ground. Balenor held his shield high, blocking a swipe aimed at Caelum as he summoned water from the air, forming a barrier that surged forward, slamming into the advancing Abyss creatures.

"They just keep coming!" Balenor shouted, gritting his teeth as another blow crashed against his shield.

Caelum glanced around, looking for their four-legged guide. "The dog went that way! We need to move before more of them show up!"

The group fought their way toward the narrow alley the dog had darted into, dodging and slashing their way through the growing swarm of creatures. Though they were strong, it became clear that lingering any longer would only draw more attention.

They needed to reach the Elder Hall—fast.

The door to the Elder Hall creaked as it swung open, revealing a large chamber bathed in the muted light of the setting sun. In the center of the room stood the Abyss General, a towering figure clad in dark, jagged armor. His molten eyes glowed beneath his helm, his posture calm and unnervingly still. The long hilt of his sword rested in his hand, though he hadn't yet drawn it.

The group skidded to a halt just inside the doorway, breathing hard from the fight outside. Their weapons were still drawn, but the moment they saw the General, an icy tension filled the air.

"Impressive," the Abyss General said, his voice cold and rumbling like distant thunder. "But your efforts are wasted."

Around him, the remnants of the Abyss minions gathered, their twisted forms writhing in the dim light. The General's gaze flicked over the group, taking note of their stances, their exhaustion.

"You've come all this way," he said, his tone almost mocking. "But you pose no threat."

Without any further warning, he raised his hand and gestured to the Abyss minions. They lunged forward, swarming toward the group once again.

Ardent and Renar sprang into action, their weapons cutting through the dark creatures with quick, precise strikes. Balenor held the line with his shield, deflecting blows while Caelum used water-based spells to keep the attackers at bay. But the minions seemed endless, pouring into the hall like a flood of darkness.

Despite their best efforts, they were being pushed back, inch by inch.

And the General watched, silently calculating, as though studying their every move.

Suddenly, the General raised his hand once more. A dark, swirling energy began to form in the air above him, growing in size and intensity. The air became heavy, the oppressive magic pressing down on them like a storm.

In an instant, the General unleashed the spell. A blast of abyssal energy shot toward the group, too fast and too powerful to stop. Ardent braced himself, lifting his sword to block, but it was clear the attack was far beyond their strength.

Time seemed to slow as the magic hurtled toward them. Balenor raised his shield, teeth gritted in desperation. Caelum shouted something, but his words were lost in the roar of the oncoming wave of dark energy.

Just as the spell was about to crush them, a brilliant light flared to life in the center of the room. A glowing barrier formed around the group, shielding them from the Abyss General's attack.

The energy dissipated harmlessly against the barrier, and the General's molten eyes narrowed in surprise.

Elder El stood at the back of the hall, his chains falling away like discarded threads. His expression remained calm, unshaken by the battle around him. The aura of power surrounding him was undeniable, even though he hadn't yet lifted a finger to attack.

"That's enough," Elder El said, his voice resonating with quiet authority.

The Abyss General took a step back, his cold gaze locked onto the Elder. "You... you're not weakened?"

Elder El lowered his hand, the barrier still shimmering around the group. "This isn't the time for you to learn the extent of my strength. But know this—you've already failed."

The General's eyes flickered with a hint of frustration, though his voice remained level. "This isn't over. We'll meet again."

Without another word, he turned and began to retreat, his remaining minions slinking away into the shadows as the village fell silent once more.

The aftermath left the group standing in the Elder Hall, the tension slowly easing as they realized the battle had ended without further bloodshed. Elder El approached them, his calm presence comforting after the chaos of the confrontation.

"You fought well," he said, looking between the twins, Renar, and Caelum. "But remember—alone, you are vulnerable. Together, you have strength. You must learn to cover each other's backs if you are to face what lies ahead."

Balenor, still catching his breath, nodded. "We couldn't have made it without your help."

Elder El smiled gently. "In time, you will not need me."

The group shared a moment of silent reflection, but Elder El's expression soon turned serious. His gaze flicked toward the spot where the Abyss General had stood.

"There's something important you need to know," Elder El continued, his voice quiet but filled with urgency. "The Abyss General... he wasn't just here to destroy the village or capture me. He was after something far more dangerous."

The group exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued.

"What was he after?" Ardent asked, still holding his greatsword tight.

Elder El met his eyes. "He was probing for information—about the mythical beasts. They are seeking to harness the power of the ancient creatures."

Caelum furrowed his brow. "Mythical beasts? You mean the sentries, like in the old legends?"

"Yes," Elder El said gravely. "The beasts that guard the elemental nexuses of this world."

Ardent stepped forward, determination lighting up his features. "Then that's our next move, isn't it? We have to find these beasts before the Abyss can."

Elder El nodded. "Exactly. If the Abyss manages to extract their powers, they will grow far more dangerous than we've seen. But the journey to find the mythical beasts is long and treacherous. For now, there's a more pressing matter."

Balenor, more cautious, glanced toward Elder El. "What do you mean?"

The Elder's gaze sharpened. "Your next destination must be the River Village. Go south from here. The Abyss has already begun to move in that area. You need to get there before it's too late."

Ardent tightened his grip on his greatsword. "Then we leave at once."

Caelum scratched his head, glancing at the others. "We can't just charge in without a plan though. The River Village will be even harder to infiltrate than here."

Elder El placed a reassuring hand on Caelum's shoulder. "You'll need to think quickly, act as one. Trust in each other. And when the time comes, you'll know what to do."

The group exchanged glances, a sense of shared purpose now settling over them.

Ardent grinned, stepping forward with a sense of determination. "Then we'll head for the River Village. And we'll stop the Abyss before they can destroy it."

Elder El's smile returned, though tinged with worry. "You have the strength to do it, but remember—you're still learning. Cover each other's backs. Use your differences as your strength. Only then will you stand a chance against what lies ahead."

With their resolve strengthened and a new mission in mind, the group gathered their weapons and prepared to leave the village behind. Their next destination: the River Village, where the Abyss's plans were already in motion.