The wardstone hummed softly, its glow steady and reassuring as Serena stood before it at dawn. The village square was quiet, save for the distant sounds of guardians beginning their patrols. The Nexus of Shadows had been destroyed, but the knowledge of other potential focal points loomed over them like a storm cloud.
Serena touched the hilt of her sword, the familiar weight grounding her. The victory at the Nexus was a step forward, but she knew their next move would determine whether they could stay ahead of the Veilborn's followers or remain one step behind.
Elias approached from the barracks, his steps light but purposeful. "You're up early," he said, his voice calm.
Serena turned, her green eyes meeting his. "Couldn't sleep. Too much to plan."
He nodded, his expression understanding. "The others are ready. Mira and Rebecca are finishing the final patrol routes, and Alaric is in the library. He thinks he might have found something."
"That's good," Serena replied, her tone even. "We'll need every clue we can get."
The library was dimly lit, the wardlamps casting a warm glow over the scattered maps and texts that covered the central table. Alaric sat hunched over a weathered tome, his fingers tracing the faded ink of an ancient map. Mira stood nearby, her arms crossed as she scanned a fragment of glyphs etched onto a shard of the Nexus.
Serena and Elias entered quietly, their presence pulling Alaric's focus from the page. He looked up, his face pale but resolute. "I think I've found something," he said, gesturing for them to come closer.
"What is it?" Serena asked, leaning over the table.
"This map," Alaric said, tapping the fragile parchment. "It predates the ward network's construction. These markings—" he pointed to faint, circular symbols scattered across the map, "—represent ancient sites of power. One of them matches the location of the Nexus we just destroyed."
"And the others?" Elias asked, his tone sharp.
Alaric nodded. "I've cross-referenced them with records from the Heartstone's core. Two of the sites still exist in regions far from the ward network's influence. If the Veilborn's followers are trying to rebuild, these are the next likely targets."
Mira studied the map, her sharp eyes narrowing. "Where are they?"
"One is to the northeast," Alaric replied, "in the Frostfire Peaks. The other is in the Blighted Vale to the south."
Rebecca entered the room just as he spoke, her brows raising at the mention of their next destinations. "Peaks and a vale? Sounds like a vacation. When do we leave?"
The team debated the best course of action. Splitting up would allow them to strike both sites simultaneously but carried immense risk. Staying together ensured their strength but gave the enemy more time to fortify the second location.
"We'll split into two teams," Serena decided, her voice firm. "Elias, Rebecca, and half the guardians will take the Blighted Vale. Mira, Alaric, and I will go to the Frostfire Peaks. We'll coordinate as we move and strike at the same time."
Elias frowned but nodded. "It's risky, but it's our best shot. The longer we wait, the stronger they'll get."
Rebecca smirked, flipping one of her daggers in her hand. "Don't worry. We'll handle our side. Try not to get lost in the snow."
Mira rolled her eyes. "Focus, Rebecca. This isn't a game."
"It's not," Rebecca replied, her tone light but her eyes sharp. "But we're going to win anyway."
The team spent the rest of the day preparing. Supplies were packed, maps were memorized, and weapons were sharpened. The weight of the mission ahead was palpable, but so was their determination.
Serena stood by the wardstone as the sun dipped below the horizon, her thoughts racing. Elias joined her, his presence grounding as always.
"You made the right call," he said quietly.
"I hope so," Serena replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "If something goes wrong—"
"It won't," Elias interrupted, his tone firm. "We've faced worse, and we've come out stronger every time."
Serena glanced at him, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "You always know what to say."
He shrugged. "It's a gift."
At dawn, the two teams departed. Serena, Mira, and Alaric headed northeast toward the Frostfire Peaks, their path taking them through dense forests and icy plains. The air grew colder with each step, the terrain more treacherous.
Mira took the lead, her sharp instincts guiding them through the twisting paths. Alaric followed close behind, his hands clutching his notes and tools as he scanned the horizon for any sign of danger. Serena brought up the rear, her sword at the ready and her eyes constantly scanning for threats.
The Frostfire Peaks loomed in the distance, their jagged summits wreathed in snow and ice. The closer they got, the more the air seemed to hum with an unnatural energy.
"This place feels… wrong," Alaric said, his voice quiet. "Like the Nexus, but colder. More hostile."
"It's the Veilborn's influence," Mira replied, her tone clipped. "We're getting close."
Meanwhile, Elias and Rebecca led their team south toward the Blighted Vale. The terrain was starkly different—dry, cracked earth stretching for miles under a scorching sun. The air was thick with the scent of decay, the ground littered with the bones of creatures long dead.
Rebecca wrinkled her nose, her hand resting on her dagger. "Charming place. Bet they charge extra for tours."
Elias shot her a look but said nothing, his focus on the path ahead. The Blighted Vale was vast, its edges marked by towering cliffs that seemed to swallow the horizon.
"There," one of the guardians said, pointing to a faint glow in the distance. "That must be it."
Elias nodded, his jaw tightening. "Let's move."
Back in the Frostfire Peaks, Serena's team reached the base of a massive ice-carved structure. The symbols etched into its surface pulsed faintly, their glow barely visible against the snow.
"This is it," Alaric said, his breath visible in the frigid air. "Another focal point."
"And another fight," Mira added, her daggers already drawn.
Serena stepped forward, her blade gleaming in the faint light. "Let's end this."
As both teams approached their targets, the air grew heavy with energy, the oppressive hum of Veilborn magic filling their ears. The battle ahead would be fierce, but they were ready.
The Veilborn's shadow still loomed, but so did their determination. Together, they would face whatever came next—and ensure that the light endured.