The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy as Riven, Lysara, and Kael prepared to depart. The weight of their newfound mission pressed heavily on them. Each seal marked on the map was a potential source of immense power — and peril.
"We'll need more than just the three of us," Lysara said, tightening the straps on her satchel. "If we face what's coming, allies are essential."
Riven nodded, his eyes scanning the horizon. "I know a place — the Citadel of Aeloria. It's a refuge for scholars, warriors, and mages alike. If anyone can help us decipher these seals, it's there."
Kael's hand hovered near his sword. "And if those who guard the seals see us as a threat?"
"Then we'll have to prove otherwise," Riven replied with grim resolve.
As they moved through the forest, the air grew heavy — a sign that the darkness they had released was already beginning to ripple outward. The trees themselves seemed to lean closer, whispering warnings.
Suddenly, a figure stepped from the shadows — a tall woman clad in armor that shimmered like starlight. Her gaze was sharp, her presence commanding.
"I am Seraphine," she announced. "I've been watching your path. The seals you seek to unlock are not just prisons but keys. Keys to an ancient power that many would kill to possess."
Riven exchanged a glance with Lysara and Kael. An unexpected ally — or another challenge?
Seraphine stepped forward, extending a hand. "Let me join your quest. Together, we stand a chance."
The storm was gathering, and the fate of their world would be forged in the battles ahead.