Ciara rose early the next morning, her gaze sweeping over the village bathed in the quiet dawn light. She felt the weight of the Veil over her shoulders, a reminder of the power she now possessed and the greater journey still ahead. With the Amulet of Elyndor and the Shadow Veil in her grasp, she knew she was closer than ever to facing Kael—but one final piece was still missing: the Heartstone.
Mother Agar and Fidel met her by the village gate, their expressions a mix of pride and worry. Fidel placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Are you ready?"
Ciara nodded, though her heart ached at the thought of leaving once more. "The Heartstone is the last piece. With it, we'll finally have the strength to protect everyone—and confront Kael directly."
