A Shard's Power
The faintly glowing shard in Eren's hand seemed to pulse with a rhythm of its own. Its energy wasn't overwhelming, but it was foreign—ancient, primal, and dangerous. The sensation tugged at something deep within Eren, awakening a lingering sense of dread.
Lyssandra watched him carefully as they rested by the edge of the forest. "What are you going to do with that?" she asked, gesturing to the shard.
Eren turned the shard over in his hand, his expression unreadable. "I don't know yet. But it's connected to whatever force is rising. If we're going to understand what we're dealing with, I'll need to figure out how to use it."
Lyssandra frowned. "Using fragments of godly power has never ended well for anyone, Eren. You, of all people, should know that."
He met her gaze, his voice calm but firm. "That's exactly why I need to master it. If we leave this unchecked, someone else will use it, and we'll be powerless to stop them."
Reluctantly, Lyssandra nodded. "Just... don't let it consume you. We've fought too hard to lose ourselves now."
A Gathering Storm
The world around them grew more chaotic with each passing day. Rumors of a mysterious faction, known as the Broken Throne, began to spread. They were said to be a group of powerful individuals claiming remnants of divine power, seeking to establish their dominance in the absence of the gods.
In the nearby city of Aeloria, Eren and Lyssandra encountered the first tangible signs of the Broken Throne's influence. The streets were filled with tension, merchants whispering of soldiers clad in dark armor and wielding magic unlike anything the world had seen before.
"They came from the east," one merchant said, his voice hushed. "Destroyed entire villages without warning. Said they were bringing 'order' to the chaos."
Eren's jaw tightened. "Order through conquest. It's no different from the gods."
Lyssandra crossed her arms. "If they're gathering fragments like the one you have, it explains their power. We can't let them continue unchecked."
Eren nodded. "Then we'll start here. Someone in this city must know where to find them."
The Hunter's Trail
Their search led them to a secluded tavern on the outskirts of the city. Inside, the atmosphere was thick with suspicion, the patrons glancing warily at the two strangers.
Eren approached the barkeep, sliding a few coins across the counter. "We're looking for information about the Broken Throne."
The barkeep stiffened, his eyes darting around the room. "You shouldn't say that name here," he muttered. "They have eyes everywhere."
Eren leaned closer, his voice low but firm. "We're not here to cause trouble. We just need to know where they are."
The barkeep hesitated before finally nodding. "There's a man upstairs. Calls himself a hunter. If anyone knows, it's him."
Eren and Lyssandra climbed the narrow staircase to a dimly lit room. Inside, a wiry man sat by the window, sharpening a dagger. His eyes were sharp, like a predator's, and he regarded them with a mix of curiosity and caution.
"You're looking for the Broken Throne?" the hunter asked, not bothering with pleasantries.
Eren nodded. "We need to find them before they claim more power."
The hunter smirked. "Bold words, but you're not the first to try. Most who go after them end up dead—or worse."
Lyssandra stepped forward. "We're not like the others."
The hunter studied her for a moment before nodding. "Fine. They've set up a base in the ruins of Thaldris Keep, east of here. But be warned: they're not just collecting fragments—they're experimenting with them. Twisting their power into something unnatural."
Eren's grip on the shard tightened. "Then we'll stop them."
The hunter laughed softly. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But guts won't save you if you're not prepared."
The Ruins of Thaldris Keep
Eren and Lyssandra arrived at Thaldris Keep under the cover of night. The once-proud fortress was now a crumbling relic, its walls adorned with banners bearing the symbol of the Broken Throne—a shattered crown encircled by chains.
The air was thick with tension as they crept through the shadows, avoiding the patrols of armored soldiers. In the center of the keep, they found what they were looking for: a massive chamber where fragments of godly power were being fused into grotesque weapons and creatures.
Eren's eyes narrowed. "They're creating an army."
Lyssandra gripped her spear tightly. "Then we destroy it before it can grow."
They moved quickly, taking out the guards with precision and stealth. But as they approached the heart of the chamber, they were confronted by a figure who radiated an aura of pure malice.
The man's armor was dark and jagged, his eyes glowing with the same eerie light as the shard in Eren's hand. He smiled coldly. "The godslayer himself. How fitting that you've come to join us."
Eren stepped forward, his flames igniting. "I didn't come to join. I came to end this."
The man laughed. "You're too late. The Broken Throne will rise, and you'll be nothing but a footnote in our conquest."
Eren and Lyssandra braced themselves as the man unleashed a wave of dark energy, the battle for the fate of the world beginning anew.
To Be Continued...