Kaelron sat near the ruined shrine, the fragment pulsing faintly in his hand. The spectral figure stood motionless above the damaged altar, its burning golden eyes fixed on him. The energy in the air was lighter than it had been during the battle, but an unshakable heaviness still pressed on Kaelron's shoulders.
Eryk knelt beside Frostfang, tending to the wolf's wounds. The gryphon perched nearby, ruffling its feathers uneasily, its eyes never leaving the spectral figure. Nyx stood farther away, her arms crossed and her shadow panther at her side. The Guild tamers who remained unscathed were silent, their faces pale from the earlier fight.
The figure finally spoke, its voice resonant and commanding. "You have succeeded in holding back the Maw's emissary. But this victory is fleeting. The balance remains broken, and the Maw's corruption spreads even now."
Kaelron tightened his grip on the fragment. "Then tell me how to stop it."
The figure shifted slightly, its gaze sweeping over everyone present. "The crown fragment you hold is a shard of the Primordial Crown, an artifact forged to seal the Eternal Maw at the dawn of time. When the Maw's prison began to weaken, the Crown shattered, its fragments scattered across the realms."
Kaelron exchanged a glance with Eryk, who looked as grim as he felt.
"Each fragment contains a piece of the light needed to restore the Crown and seal the Maw once more. But time works against you," the figure continued. "The Maw seeks to corrupt these fragments, to twist their power for its own purpose. If it succeeds, no force in existence will stop it."
---
Kaelron stood, his grip on the fragment firm. "How many fragments are there?"
The spectral figure's golden eyes flickered. "Four remain. Each tied to a shrine guarded by a chosen protector. The fragments were scattered to keep them from falling into the Maw's grasp. Yet now, it moves to claim them. If you do not act, its shadow will consume them all."
Eryk rose to his feet, his blade still in hand. "Do you know where the other fragments are?"
The figure turned to him. "The locations were hidden, known only to the protectors who guard them. But I can grant you a vision of the path ahead."
The air around the shrine shimmered, and Kaelron felt a surge of energy pulse through the fragment. His vision blurred, and suddenly, he was no longer in the clearing.
---
Kaelron stood in a vast, starry expanse. The fragment floated before him, its glow brighter than ever. Around it, four beams of light extended into the void, each leading to a different scene.
The first beam revealed a snowy mountain peak, where a massive stone shrine stood encased in ice. Winds howled around it, and a serpentine shadow moved within the storm.
The second beam showed a dense jungle, where ancient trees towered over a moss-covered shrine. A golden-scaled beast prowled the shadows, its glowing eyes watching the shrine intently.
The third beam led to a crumbling ruin in the heart of a desert. Sandstorms swirled around it, and a flicker of black flame burned atop the shrine's broken altar.
The final beam revealed an oceanic abyss, where a submerged shrine glowed faintly beneath the waves. Shadows twisted in the dark waters, hinting at something massive lurking just beyond sight.
Kaelron's heart pounded as the visions faded, and he found himself back in the clearing. The fragment's glow had dimmed once more, but the images were burned into his mind.
---
Nyx stepped forward, her voice sharp. "We don't have time to chase visions. If what the figure says is true, we need to secure the nearest fragment before the Maw does."
Kaelron turned to her, his jaw tightening. "And what happens after that? Do you lock it away with the Guild, like you wanted to do with this one?"
Nyx's eyes narrowed. "The Guild has the resources to protect the fragments. You can't seriously believe you can handle this alone."
"I don't trust the Guild," Kaelron said bluntly.
Before Nyx could respond, the spectral figure interrupted. "The fragments' power cannot be contained. They must be united to restore the Crown. Only then will the Maw's corruption be stopped."
Eryk crossed his arms, stepping between them. "Then we find the nearest fragment and move quickly. Arguing won't get us anywhere."
Nyx let out a sharp breath but nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But I'm coming with you. Like it or not, this is bigger than all of us."
Kaelron didn't argue. He glanced at the gryphon, which stared back at him with calm resolve. "The mountain shrine," he said. "It was the first vision. That's where we start."
---
As Kaelron turned to leave, the spectral figure's voice echoed one last time. "Beware, tamer. The path to the fragments is treacherous, and not all protectors will welcome your presence. The Maw's influence reaches far, and even those sworn to defend the light may fall to its shadow."
Kaelron stopped, his chest tightening. "What do you mean?"
The figure's golden eyes flickered, its form beginning to fade. "Trust will be your greatest strength… and your greatest test."
The figure vanished, leaving the clearing silent once more.
---
The group set out at dawn, the shrine fading into the forest behind them. The gryphon flew overhead, its shadow gliding across the trees as Kaelron led the way. Nyx and her panther followed closely, while Eryk and Frostfang took up the rear.
The tension between them was palpable, but Kaelron focused on the task ahead. The mountain shrine loomed in his mind, its icy peaks and twisting shadows a reminder of the dangers to come.
"We need to plan our approach," Nyx said, breaking the silence. "If this shrine has a protector, they might not be willing to hand over the fragment."
"Then we convince them," Kaelron replied. "If the Maw gets the fragment, it's over."
"And if they refuse?" Nyx pressed.
Kaelron glanced back at her, his expression hard. "We do whatever it takes."
---
That night, as the group set up camp, Kaelron sat alone near the fire. The fragment rested in his lap, its faint glow reflecting in his eyes.
Eryk approached, his expression unreadable. "You alright?"
Kaelron nodded, though his thoughts were anything but calm. "It's just… a lot. The Maw, the fragments, the Crown. I didn't ask for any of this."
Eryk smirked faintly. "No one ever does. But you're handling it better than most would."
Kaelron let out a small laugh. "That's not saying much."
The two sat in silence for a moment, the fire crackling softly between them.
"You're stronger than you think, Kaelron," Eryk said finally. "Just remember, you're not in this alone."
Kaelron looked at him, seeing a glimmer of sincerity in his eyes. Despite everything, it was enough to steady his resolve.
As the night deepened, Kaelron stared at the fragment, its glow a faint reminder of the light they were fighting to protect. The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, he felt a spark of hope.
And that would have to be enough.