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I start weaving counter-spells, my fingers dancing in intricate patterns. The air crackles with energy, and I feel the first layer of the barrier start to give.
"Naia, what do you see?"
Her voice comes out strained. "I... I see patterns. Like threads of light, all tangled up."
"Good. Follow those threads. Tell me where they lead."
As Naia describes the magical pathways, I adjust my spellwork. The barrier fluctuates, weakening in spots before reinforcing itself.
"Shit," I growl. "It's fighting back."
I push harder, channeling more power into my spells. The runes on my body flare brightly, and I feel the familiar burn of magic coursing through my veins.
Suddenly, Naia gasps. "Kairos! The stone – it's showing me something!"
I glance over. The small rock in her hand is glowing, projecting faint images into the air. Ancient symbols dance before our eyes, shifting and rearranging themselves.
"It's a key," I realize. "Naia, focus on those symbols. I need you to project them onto the barrier."
She nods, her face a mask of determination. As she concentrates, the symbols grow clearer, overlaying themselves on the shimmering wall of magic.
I weave the new information into my spells, feeling the barrier respond. It's like solving a puzzle with a thousand moving pieces, each one threatening to snap back into place if I lose focus for even a second.
Sweat drips down my face as I work, the magic around us growing more intense by the moment. The ground beneath our feet begins to tremble, and I hear Naia's sharp intake of breath.
"Stay with me, little one," I growl. "We're almost there."
The barrier flickers, sections of it fading away only to reform. I grit my teeth, pushing harder. Naia's breathing becomes labored beside me, but her concentration doesn't waver.
With a final surge of power, I feel the last piece click into place. The barrier shudders, then dissolves in a shower of sparks.
As the barrier dissipates, a gust of warm air rushes past us, carrying the scent of sulfur and ancient magic. I grab Naia's hand, pulling her close.
"Stay alert. We don't know what we're walking into."
We step forward, the volcanic rock crunching beneath our feet. The magical pull tugs at my senses, stronger than ever. It leads us to a narrow fissure in the mountainside, barely visible in the dim light.
"Fuck," I mutter. "It's gonna be a tight squeeze."
I create a small orb of light, sending it floating ahead of us as we squeeze through the opening. The passage twists and turns, the walls pressing in on all sides. Naia's breath comes in short gasps behind me.
"You okay back there, little one?"
"Just... peachy," she grunts.
The tunnel suddenly opens up, and we find ourselves in a vast cavern. Stalactites hang from the ceiling like massive teeth, glowing with an eerie, pulsating light. The floor slopes downward, leading to a series of interconnected caves.
"Holy shit," Naia whispers.
I nod, equally awed. The magical energy here is unlike anything I've ever felt – raw, primal, and utterly foreign.
We descend deeper into the cave system, following the pull. The air grows thicker, charged with an otherworldly power that makes my skin tingle. Naia's eyes are wide, darting around as if she's seeing things I can't.
"What do you see?" I ask.
"Shadows... movement. Like the cave itself is alive."
I tighten my grip on her hand, my other palm ready to cast a defensive spell at a moment's notice.
