"So? Are we ready?" Adrian asked, his eyes sweeping over the gathered group.
Jean stood to his left, her shield glinting faintly under the sun as she gave a firm nod. A few yards away, the other staff members had already taken several cautious steps back, keeping a safe distance in case the ancient creature beneath them decided to show up.
Annabelle and Ariana were close to each other, both gripping their armaments tightly, their eyes fixed on the cracked earth below. Even with all their preparation, none of them truly knew what they were facing. The being buried here wasn't some mindless beast—it was an anomaly, a remnant of an age long gone, with powers sealed and preserved for centuries.
Caution was the only armor they had.
Adrian adjusted his belt where his revolver rested, the familiar weight grounding him. His teleportation staff was planted beside him, and the axe on his waist gleamed faintly under the light.
