Chapter 3:The Pursuit

Aria and Finn stood frozen, watching as the figure emerged from the darkness. Its presence seemed to fill the entire clearing, making it hard for Aria to breathe.

"You may have disrupted the ritual," the figure spoke in a low, raspy voice, "but you will never leave this place alive."

Aria gripped her dagger tightly, the faint blue glow still emanating from it. "We'll never back down," she spat, trying to sound braver than she felt.

The figure chuckled, its presence seeming to grow even darker. "We'll see about that."

With a swift motion, the figure raised its hand, and a wave of dark energy shot toward Aria and Finn. They dodged to the side, avoiding the attack by mere inches.

"We need to get out of here, now!" Finn yelled, grabbing Aria's arm and pulling her toward the trees.

They sprinted through the forest, the figure's dark energy blasting through the trees behind them. Aria could feel its presence closing in, making her skin crawl.

Suddenly, Finn darted to the side, pulling Aria into a narrow ravine. They tumbled down the rocky slope, landing hard on the dry earth.

As they struggled to their feet, Aria saw that the ravine opened up into a narrow canyon, the walls rising steeply on either side.

"We can lose them in here," Finn whispered, his eyes scanning the canyon.

Aria nodded, her heart still racing. "Let's move."

They took off down the canyon, their footsteps echoing off the walls. Aria could feel the figure's presence closing in, but she didn't dare look back.

They had to keep moving, no matter what.

The figure collided with Finn, sending them both crashing to the ground. Aria sprang into action, her dagger flashing in the dim light.

She struck at the figure, but it was too strong. It tossed Finn aside like a rag doll, its eyes fixed on Aria.

As the figure raised its hand to deliver the final blow, Finn leapt to his feet

Aria's eyes widened in horror as the tattoo crept up her arm, its dark tendrils wrapping around her wrist like a shackle.

"Finn, what's happening to me?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Finn's face was pale. "I don't know, but I think it's connected to the ritual. You must have been marked when you disrupted it."

Aria's heart sank. "What does it mean?"

Finn's eyes locked onto hers, filled with a grim determination. "It means we have to find a way to remove it, before it's too late."

Aria's eyes scanned the desolate landscape, her mind racing with the implications of the tattoo. "Where can we go?" she asked Finn, her voice barely above a whisper.

Finn's jaw clenched. "There's only one place I can think of. The Oracle's temple. She's the only one who might know how to remove the mark."

Aria's heart skipped a beat. "But the temple is on the other side of the mountains. We'll never make it in time."

Finn's eyes locked onto hers, burning with determination. "We have to try."

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