Chapter 57 A Leap of Faith

Friesland, despite the throbbing pain in his chest, reached out and grasped Elizabeth's hand. The Scholar, his frail body trembling with exertion, took hold of Friesland's other hand. Together, they formed a chain, their fates intertwined. The mural pulsed with a blinding light, the symbols swirling and morphing into a shimmering portal. The wind howled through the cavern, carrying with it the whispers that had guided them – now a cacophony of voices, both ancient and unknown. The creature, its rage momentarily forgotten, froze at the sight of the activated portal. A primal fear flickered in its glowing eyes as the portal thrummed with an unseen energy. "Are you sure this will work?" The Scholar's question, barely audible above the howling wind, mirrored the fear gnawing at Friesland's gut. The ritual was unorthodox, the consequences unknown. Elizabeth, however, held her gaze firm. "This is our only chance." The portal beckoned, a swirling vortex of blue and white light at the far