“Anna, do your thing!” Logan called, holding off the serpents with everything he had.
Anna placed her hands on the icy pillar, the sword glowing brighter as it pulsed with energy. The ice began to crack, and the anchor’s light grew stronger.
The serpents roared, their movements frantic as they tried to stop her.
“Hurry!” Mia shouted, throwing herself between Anna and an incoming serpent.
With a final surge of power, Anna shattered the ice, and the anchor’s light exploded outward, engulfing the lake. The serpents disintegrated, their cries echoing into silence.
The group collapsed on the now-solid ice, the anchor’s steady glow reflecting in their weary eyes.
“Two down,” Anna said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Logan stood, his dagger still in hand. “Let’s not celebrate yet. We’ve still got two more to go.”
The forest loomed ahead, dark and foreboding, as the group prepared to face whatever came next.
The group moved forward, their steps echoing through the dense s
