Sam stood before the Heart of the World, his hand hovering just inches above its surface. The crystal pulsed rhythmically, filling the vast chamber with a warm, ethereal glow. He could feel the energy thrumming beneath his fingertips, like the heartbeat of the world itself, waiting to be awakened.
"Alright, here goes nothing," Sam muttered, taking a deep breath. He reached out, intending to activate the Heart as the ancient scholars had done in the memories he had inherited.
But just as his hand made contact with the crystalline surface, a cold gust of wind swept through the chamber, extinguishing the warmth in an instant. The ball of light that had been faithfully hovering beside him flickered wildly, as if caught in a storm, before retreating to a safe distance. Sam pulled his hand back, startled.
