The dawn came sluggishly, with light filtering hesitantly through the dense canopy above the ravine. Lynx stirred from his restless sleep, his body sore from days of travel and tension. The faint hum of the shard in his satchel was a constant companion, its energy weaving through his dreams and leaving him more unsettled than rested.
Vera was already awake, sharpening her dagger with slow, deliberate strokes. She glanced at him as he sat up, her blue eyes reflecting the weariness they all felt. Veryl was sprawled out nearby, snoring lightly, his twin blades resting beside him. Kael was nowhere to be seen.
"She's gone again," Lynx muttered, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Scouting," Vera replied tersely, though her tone carried an edge of doubt. "At least, that's what she says."
Lynx frowned but said nothing. The events of the previous day still lingered in his mind. The ambush had been too precise, too convenient, and Kael's frequent disappearances weren't helping his suspicions.
"We should pack up," Vera said, sliding her dagger back into its sheath. "The sooner we're out of this ravine, the better."
By the time Kael returned, the group was ready to move. She emerged from the shadows with her usual quiet grace, her expression unreadable.
"The path ahead is clear," she said. "But we'll need to move quickly. The queen's agents won't give up that easily."
Lynx studied her for a moment, searching for any hint of deceit, but her demeanor remained as steady and inscrutable as ever. With a nod, he led the group deeper into the ravine, the rocky terrain forcing them to move in single file.
The air grew colder as they descended, the walls of the ravine narrowing and casting long shadows that seemed to move of their own accord. The shard's hum grew louder, resonating with the environment in a way that made Lynx's skin prickle.
"Do you feel that?" Vera asked, her voice low.
Lynx nodded. "The shard. It's reacting to something."
Kael's gaze flicked toward him. "This ravine has a history. It's said to be a burial ground for those who once sought the founders' power. The magic here is old, and it doesn't welcome trespassers."
"Lovely," Veryl said, his tone laced with sarcasm. "A cursed ravine. Exactly what we needed."
The group pressed on, the whispers of the wind growing louder with each step. Lynx couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, though every glance over his shoulder revealed nothing but jagged rock and shifting shadows.
They reached a wide clearing, the ground covered in a strange, glimmering dust that sparkled faintly in the dim light. At the center stood a monolithic structure, its surface etched with intricate runes that glowed faintly, pulsing in time with the shard's hum.
"What is this place?" Vera asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kael approached the structure cautiously, her gloved fingers brushing against the runes. "A marker. A warning. It signifies the boundary of the burial grounds. Beyond this point, the magic intensifies."
"And we're going in, aren't we?" Veryl said, though his grin lacked its usual confidence.
Kael nodded. "The path to the next shard lies through these grounds. But be warned: the spirits here will test us. They'll feed on our fears, our doubts. Stay close, and don't lose focus."
Lynx's grip tightened on his sword as the group stepped past the marker. The air grew heavier, each breath feeling like an effort. The glimmering dust swirled around their feet, rising in faint tendrils that seemed to reach for them before dissipating into the air.
The whispers grew louder, distinct voices weaving through the wind. Lynx couldn't make out the words, but their tone was unmistakable: accusing, mocking, taunting. His heart pounded as the shard's hum intensified, its energy coursing through him like a second heartbeat.
"Stay together," Kael said sharply, her voice cutting through the whispers. "The spirits will try to separate us. Don't let them."
The group moved in a tight formation, their steps careful and deliberate. The path wound through the burial grounds, the runes on the surrounding rocks glowing brighter as they progressed. Shadows darted at the edges of their vision, vanishing whenever they turned to look.
"This place is alive," Vera murmured, her voice tight. "It's watching us."
Lynx nodded, his grip on his sword so tight that his knuckles ached. The shard's hum had become almost deafening, its energy a constant presence that pressed against his thoughts. He could feel it pulling at him, urging him to let go, to surrender.
"Don't listen to it," Kael said, her gaze fixed ahead. "The magic here will try to break you. Focus on the path."
As they neared the far end of the burial grounds, the whispers reached a crescendo, the voices blending into a cacophony that seemed to come from within their own minds. Lynx stumbled, his vision blurring as the world around him twisted and warped. He saw flashes of faces—his mother's, his father's, Vera's and Veryl's—their expressions distorted by fear and anger.
"Lynx!" Vera's voice cut through the haze, grounding him. He blinked, the vision fading as he saw her hand on his arm, her blue eyes steady and determined. "Stay with me."
He nodded, forcing himself to focus as the group pushed forward. The whispers began to fade as they stepped past the final rune marker, the oppressive energy lifting like a veil. They found themselves on a narrow plateau overlooking a vast expanse of rolling hills, the burial grounds a shadowy memory behind them.
Kael turned to face the group, her expression grim. "This was only the beginning. The closer we get to the shards, the more the magic will test us. If any of you have doubts, now is the time to speak."
Lynx met her gaze, his resolve hardening. "We're not turning back."
Vera and Veryl nodded, their expressions mirroring his determination. Kael's lips curved into a faint smile, though her eyes remained guarded.
"Good," she said. "Then let's keep moving. The next shard won't wait for us."
As they descended from the plateau, Lynx couldn't help but glance back at the burial grounds. The whispers were gone, but their presence lingered in his mind. The journey ahead would only grow more treacherous, and he could feel the weight of the shards pressing down on them all.
The price of power was steep, but they had already chosen their path. There was no turning back now.