The ghostly figures advanced with unnatural speed, their forms flickering like shadows caught in a restless wind. Lysara, Riven, and Kael formed a tight circle, readying their weapons and spells.
Riven's blade shimmered as he called forth a protective barrier, while Kael summoned a torrent of flames that licked the edges of the approaching guardians. Lysara, clutching the vial containing the mysterious elixir, began chanting an incantation learned from the ancient texts.
The guardians hesitated, their movements faltering as the air thickened with Lysara's magic. But one of them broke through, lunging at Riven with a scream that echoed through the trees. Riven parried just in time, sparks flying from the clash.
Kael's fire roared to life, engulfing two guardians and forcing them back into the mist. Yet more kept coming, relentless and terrifying.
"We can't hold them off forever," Lysara warned, her voice steady despite the danger.
"Then we make our move," Riven replied grimly. "We find the Veil's source—and destroy it."
With renewed determination, the trio pressed deeper into the forest, the shadows closing in but their resolve shining brighter than ever.