The jungle grew denser, the path more treacherous. The knights moved with heightened caution, every shadow a potential threat. They listened intently, catching snippets of Galdorian conversations and gathering crucial information.

  "Loras," Kylian whispered, "I heard something about increased security at 2 o'clock. They're definitely hiding something."

  Loras responded with a series of soft clicks, signaling agreement. "Then that's where we need to go. Stay sharp."

  They pressed on, their journey fraught with close calls and tense moments. They skillfully avoided patrols, using the shadows and the natural cover of the jungle to their advantage.

  Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached the edge of a large excavation site. Kylian's breath caught in his throat as he took in the sight. Below them, partially uncovered by the Galdorians' digging, lay the ruins of a massive metropolitan city. Ancient buildings and streets sprawled out in a hauntingly majestic tableau, hidden for centuries beneath the surface.

  The knights could hardly believe their eyes. This was no mere fort or hidden outpost, it was an entire city, a relic of a long-lost civilization. The implications were staggering.

  Loras responded with a soft, urgent trill. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the excavation site below. "Lara," he signaled, his voice barely above a whisper, "go down and check for any clues on what we're looking at."

  A shadow detached itself from the group, moving swiftly and silently down the slope. Lara's form became almost imperceptible as she glided between the guards, her presence masked by Samuel's shadow spell. Her movements were fluid, a ghost navigating through the enemy's stronghold.

  Loras watched her progress intently, his expression tense. After a moment, he gave another signal, a soft buzz that rippled through the group. "Everyone, to your positions," he ordered, his tone commanding despite the quiet. "Be ready to back Lara up at any time."

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  Lara's eyes darted across the ancient ruins below, her heart pounding in her chest as she uncovered more of the hidden city's secrets. The Galdorians had unearthed something truly monumental, a city, vast and sprawling, that once belonged to a civilization long lost to history. She knew that this discovery could tilt the balance of power in the war if the Galdorians harnessed whatever secrets lay buried within.

  As Lara began to gather what clues she could, a faint sound reached her ears, a low, rhythmic dhum that gradually grew louder. She froze, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the area. The sound was unmistakable, the march of Galdorian troops, and they were headed her way. Panic surged through her veins as she quickly finished her task and signaled to Loras with a series of rapid clicks, alerting him to the imminent danger.

  From his vantage point, Loras caught Lara's signal and immediately signaled to the rest of the team. They had been discovered, and now it was a race against time.

  "Fall back!" Loras's voice was barely a whisper, but it carried the weight of urgency as he signaled the retreat. The knights moved swiftly, their black leather armor barely making a sound as they melted back into the shadows of the jungle. The enemy was closing in, and every second counted.

  Kylian's heart raced as he moved with the group, the dense foliage and uneven terrain threatening to slow them down. The spell Samuel had cast was their only advantage, but it wouldn't last forever. They had to get out before it wore off, or they would be sitting ducks in enemy territory.

  Lara rejoined them, her face pale but determined. "They're coming," she whispered, her voice tight with fear. "We need to move, now."

  Loras nodded, his jaw clenched. He signaled for the group to split up into smaller units to increase their chances of escape. "Stay close, stay quiet, and don't stop until we're clear," he ordered. "We'll regroup at the fallback point."

  The knights of House Arlyn were well-trained, but the Galdorians were relentless. Loras led Kylian and his small group through a narrow passageway, their breath ragged as they pushed themselves to the limit. The Galdorians were close, too close, and the jungle seemed to close in around them, offering no respite.

  "We can't outrun them forever," Kylian gasped, his legs burning with exhaustion.

  "We won't have to," Loras replied, his voice steady despite the chaos around them. "We just need to hold out a little longer."