The wind howled as the group descended deeper into the ancient ruins. Faint blue light pulsed through moss-covered carvings on the walls, illuminating fragments of a forgotten language etched into the stone. Liam moved cautiously at the front, blade drawn, the pulse of the third spellbook fragment calling to him like a low hum in his chest.
Behind him, Nyra summoned a wisp of flame to light their path, her expression tense. Aeris's gaze flicked around constantly, hands hovering near her daggers, while Kael kept close to Nyra, his wind-forged spear glowing faintly with defensive enchantments. Airenne walked a few steps behind them all, silent and observing.
Liam paused as the corridor opened into a grand chamber. The ceiling stretched high above, cracked and partially collapsed. A massive altar stood at the center, surrounded by statues of faceless guardians. And upon the altar lay the fragment — glowing with silver and azure light.
"Wait," Aeris whispered, stepping beside him. "Something feels wrong."
"No traps," Nyra said, eyes glowing as she scanned the room. "But… there's a presence. It's like it's watching us."
"It is," Airenne spoke for the first time. "This place isn't guarded by magic. It's guarded by memory."
Liam turned to her. "What do you mean?"
But before she could answer, the air turned icy. The ground trembled. From the shadows beyond the altar, shapes began to form — silhouettes of armored warriors, flickering like echoes.
"They're not real," Kael said, steadying his stance. "Illusions?"
"Worse," Airenne replied. "They're Remnants. Imprints of those who once tried to take the fragment… and failed."
The Remnants charged.
Liam blocked the first strike, the clash of steel against shadow reverberating through his bones. Kael spun beside him, his spear slicing through two of the figures, dissipating them into mist. Nyra summoned a vortex of flame, forcing several back, while Aeris ducked and weaved between the attackers, blades dancing in precision.
Airenne stood still — eyes closed, lips moving in a silent chant. Her body shimmered with protective light, and as one of the Remnants lunged toward her, it hit an invisible barrier and dissolved.
"We can't keep this up!" Kael shouted. "There's too many!"
"Then we end it," Liam growled. His eyes flared with the magic inherited from the fragments he already bore. With a deep breath, he focused on the altar.
The fragment pulsed.
A burst of light erupted from it, blasting the Remnants back. For a moment, silence.
And then — a figure stepped forward.
Not a shadow. Not a Remnant.
A man in ancient armor, his eyes glowing with the same light as the fragment. He carried no weapon — but the air around him shimmered with power.
"You are not ready," the man said, voice echoing like thunder. "Only one who bears truth may claim this fragment."
Liam stepped forward, fists clenched. "Then test me."
The armored figure raised a hand, and the chamber shifted. The walls melted into visions — scenes from Liam's past. His isolation. His failures. The mirror. His first encounter with Aeris. The weight of guilt from choices he never wanted to make.
"Do you carry your past," the figure asked, "or do you run from it?"
Liam's knees buckled under the emotional weight. But he didn't look away. "I carry it," he said through gritted teeth. "Because it made me who I am."
Silence.
Then the figure nodded… and stepped aside.
The fragment floated from the altar into Liam's hand, its light pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat. Another piece found. Another burden accepted.
But before anyone could speak — the chamber trembled again.
A dark rift tore through the far wall.
From it, stepped Nytherion.
His form was more monstrous than before — veins of darkness writhing along his arms, eyes glowing red. Elira's necklace dangled from his hand.
"You've done well," he said, voice twisted with venom. "Three fragments… soon, you'll gather them all for me."
Liam stepped forward, blade raised.
"No," Nytherion smirked. "Not yet. But soon."
He vanished in a storm of black mist, leaving behind the lingering cold of his promise.
The chamber slowly began to collapse.
"Move!" Aeris shouted.
They fled through a narrow corridor, the ancient ruins groaning behind them. Rocks tumbled, dust filled the air. At last, they emerged into the pale moonlight above the cliffs.
Kael dropped to one knee, panting. "That… was too close."
Liam looked at the fragment in his hand. It felt heavier than the others. Not in weight — but in truth.
Airenne stepped beside him. "This was only the beginning. The real tests… are still coming."
Liam looked out over the horizon. The next path lay ahead. One step closer to the truth — and the war that waited in the shadows.