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The forest darkened as twilight deepened, shadows stretching long between the silver-leaved trees. Aelira's grip tightened on the pendant, its warmth pulsing like a heartbeat against her chest.
"We don't have much time," Kaelon warned, his elemental flames flickering anxiously. "They move fast....merciless."
Thorne positioned himself near the fire, axe ready. Lyra melted into the shadows, a silent predator preparing her traps. Oren circled above, wings spread wide.
Aelira took a deep breath, feeling the magic coil inside her like a spring.
Suddenly, from the edge of the clearing, figures emerged....dark, twisted forms cloaked in swirling shadows. The Hollow Queen's hunters.
The ground trembled with their approach.
"Hold the line!" Thorne roared, charging forward.
Lyra darted between trees, daggers flashing, taking down foes before they could close in. Kaelon summoned bursts of fire and water, his magic raw but fierce.
Aelira closed her eyes, summoning the warmth inside her. Golden flames erupted, weaving into a radiant shield that shimmered before her. She extended her hands, directing a wave of fire to push the attackers back.
Oren's voice cut through the chaos, "Steady! Use the terrain!"
The battle raged, fierce and unforgiving. Every strike tested their limits, but the team's growing bond held strong.
As the last hunter fell, the forest settled once more.
Breathing heavily, Aelira looked around at her companions bloodied but unbroken.
"This was only a test," Oren warned, his eyes glowing in the dim light. "The Hollow Queen knows you're here."
Aelira nodded, the weight of her destiny settling over her like a cloak.
"We'll be ready," she vowed.