The next morning, sunlight barely reached the forest floor as the group continued their journey.
After hours of walking, they reached the edge of Shadowroot Forest.
Before them stretched a wide valley covered in ancient stone ruins.
Broken towers and fallen walls stood silently under the cloudy sky.
"This must be Velmora," Arian said.
Arkon nodded.
"Centuries ago, this was one of the greatest kingdoms in Eldoria."
"What happened to it?" Arian asked.
Lyra answered quietly.
"It was destroyed during the War of Dark Magic."
"Malvyr was involved in that war."
Draven looked around cautiously.
"If the map piece is here, it won't be easy to find."
They walked through the ruined city.
Old statues covered in moss stood beside broken roads.
Suddenly, Lyra stopped.
"Wait…"
She touched the glowing map.
"It's reacting again."
The golden lines on the map began forming a circle.
"It's pointing toward the old palace," Arkon said.
In the center of Velmora stood the remains of a massive castle.
Even in ruins, it looked powerful.
As they approached the palace gate, Arian felt a strange energy in the air.
"This place feels… alive," he whispered.
Arkon looked serious.
"Ancient magic still protects this place."
They stepped inside the palace.
The halls were dark and filled with dust.
At the center of the throne room stood a stone pedestal.
And on top of it…
A small glowing crystal.
Lyra gasped.
"That must be the second piece of the map."
Arian walked toward it slowly.
But just as he reached the pedestal…
A deep voice echoed through the room.
"You are too late."
Dark shadows began forming behind them.
Malvyr's hunters had arrived.