Chapter 26: A Glimpse of Light
The group set up camp on the edge of a tranquil meadow, a stark contrast to the chaos of the canyon. The night was clear, and the stars seemed to shine brighter, as if offering them a moment of peace.Jin Soo sat by the fire, staring into the flames. The tether lay across his lap, its glow faint but steady. Eun Ha joined him, her expression thoughtful.
"You're carrying a heavy burden," she said softly. "But you don't have to carry it alone."
Jin Soo glanced at her, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I know. I just... I keep thinking about the inscription in the cavern. About the sacrifice."
Eun Ha placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together. You're not alone in this, Jin Soo."
Before he could respond, Seo Jin approached, his face lit with excitement. "I think I found something!"
The group gathered around him as he held up a small, glowing crystal. "I found it near the stream. It feels... alive."
Hye Rin took the crystal, her eyes narrowing as she studied it. "This is a shard of the Light Core," she said, her voice tinged with awe. "It's a piece of the power that once held the shadows at bay."
Jin Soo felt the tether pulse faintly, as though responding to the shard. "What does it mean?" he asked.
"It means we're on the right path," Hye Rin said. "The Light Core was shattered long ago, but if we can find all the shards, we might have a chance to restore its power."
The group exchanged hopeful glances, their spirits lifted by the discovery.
As the excitement settled, Hye Rin continued examining the shard under the moonlight. "This shard is resonating with the tether, Jin Soo. It's no coincidence. The two are connected, and perhaps the tether will guide us to the other fragments."
Jin Soo's grip on the tether tightened. "If it's guiding us, then it's also testing us," he said quietly. "The closer we get, the harder the trials will become."
Eun Ha nodded solemnly. "We've made it this far together. We'll overcome whatever comes next."
Seo Jin's enthusiasm broke the somber mood. "And hey, maybe the next shard will be easier to find!" he said, grinning. "One step closer to saving the world, right?"
Laughter rippled through the group, the tension easing for a moment. Above them, the stars shimmered as if sharing their quiet determination. Despite the trials ahead, they allowed themselves a rare moment of hope and unity, the faint glow of the shard reflecting their newfound resolve.
To Be Continued...