The heavy rain that had accompanied Kaelron's group on their trek back to Mossmere had finally ceased, leaving the small jungle town cloaked in an eerie calm. The air was thick and humid, the scents of wet earth and moss mingling with the lingering traces of ash from the ruined shrine. Kaelron leaned against a wooden railing outside the inn they had secured for the night, his eyes fixed on the darkened horizon.
Every muscle in his body ached, and the weight of failure bore down on him like a physical burden. The image of the shattered shrine, the corrupted serpent guardian, and Veyrith's cold smile as he escaped with the fragment replayed in his mind relentlessly.
"You'll burn a hole through the sky if you keep glaring at it like that," Zerin's voice came from behind him, light and casual.
Kaelron sighed, not turning to face him. "Shouldn't you be resting?"
"I could say the same to you," Zerin said, stepping up beside him. His usual smirk was replaced by a rare seriousness. "I know that look. You're blaming yourself for everything that went wrong."
"It is my fault," Kaelron admitted. "I couldn't stop him. I couldn't save the shrine or the guardian. Now Veyrith has the fragment, and the Order is one step closer to awakening the Maw."
Zerin leaned on the railing, his gaze sweeping the quiet streets of Mossmere. "You're one person, Kaelron. You can't do it all. But you've got us, you know? We're here for a reason. Stop trying to shoulder it all by yourself."
Kaelron wanted to argue, but the sound of heavy footsteps behind them interrupted the moment. The frost dragon, now in its immense draconic form, approached silently, its icy breath misting the air.
"Come inside," the dragon said, its voice deep and resonant. "There are things we must discuss."
---
The inn's common room was dimly lit, the scent of damp wood and burning candles filling the air. Nyx stood at the head of the table, her arms crossed and her expression tense. The enforcers—Maren, Gryss, and Talis—sat nearby, their injuries bandaged but their movements slow. Zerin leaned back in his chair, while Kaelron and Ignis stood near the frost dragon, whose presence seemed to chill the room.
Nyx's sharp voice broke the tense silence. "Before we plan our next move, there's something Zerin and I need to share."
Kaelron leaned forward, sensing the weight of her tone. "What is it?"
Nyx exchanged a glance with Zerin before speaking. "Back in Tharien's Gate, we uncovered more about the Veilborn Order's operations. Councilor Lirra, one of the city's most respected officials, was directly involved with the cult."
Kaelron's eyes widened. "Lirra? How deep does her involvement go?"
"Deep enough to have betrayed the council and the city," Nyx replied grimly. "She was working with the Order to siphon power from the shrine's guardian and to help them establish a foothold in the city."
Zerin chimed in, his tone dark. "We confronted her, but she escaped. Slipped right through our fingers during the fight."
Kaelron's fists clenched. "So she's still out there. If she's working with the Order, she'll be after the hidden shrines, too."
Nyx nodded. "That's what worries me. Lirra knows how to manipulate people and systems. She'll be looking for ways to gather information about the shrines—just like the Order itself."
The frost dragon rumbled softly. "Then time is of the essence. If the cult is searching for knowledge, you must do the same—and you must be faster."
The dragon's glowing blue eyes swept over the group as it began to speak. "There are two remaining shrines tied to the Bonds, but their locations have been lost to time. They were hidden long ago to protect them from those who would seek their power—both the Order and those who came before it."
Kaelron frowned. "You're saying even the Veilborn Order doesn't know where they are?"
"Precisely," the dragon replied. "The Order's immediate focus will be on gathering knowledge and clues to uncover these hidden shrines. They will infiltrate factions, manipulate organizations, and exploit nations to achieve their goal."
Nyx's expression darkened. "So we're dealing with an enemy that could be anywhere, with influence in places we'd never suspect."
Kaelron felt a knot tighten in his chest. "How do we stop them if we don't know where they'll strike next?"
The frost dragon's icy breath misted as it spoke. "You must turn your focus to the cult itself. Root out its influence in the factions and organizations of the Seven Realms. The Order's network is vast, but if you can weaken its foundation, it will slow their progress. This will give us the time needed to uncover the shrines before they do."
Nyx nodded slowly, her sharp gaze flicking to the injured enforcers. "We can't afford to stay here. The three of you," she gestured to Maren, Gryss, and Talis, "are in no condition to continue traveling with us."
Maren straightened, wincing as she did. "We can still fight."
"No," Nyx said firmly. "You've done more than enough. Your priority now is survival. You'll return to Tharien's Gate and report everything that's happened to the council. Let them know the extent of the Order's threat and what's happening in Mossmere."
The enforcers exchanged reluctant glances but ultimately nodded. Gryss spoke up. "And you? What will you do?"
Kaelron glanced at Nyx, who crossed her arms. "We're heading to the capital—Eryndral, the heart of the Kingdom of Lorentis. The Guild's branch there has access to resources, archives, and connections we'll need to investigate the Order's influence. If the cult is looking for information about the hidden shrines, we'll find the trail before they do."
Zerin grinned, his casual demeanor returning. "Ah, Eryndral. The perfect place for danger, intrigue, and maybe a good heist or two. Count me in."
As the group finalized their plans, the frost dragon's presence seemed to grow heavier, its icy aura filling the room.
"I will not join you on this next journey," it said, its deep voice reverberating through the space.
Kaelron turned sharply. "What? Why?"
"The mountain shrine remains unguarded," the dragon explained. "Its safety is my responsibility, and I must return to it. Though I wish to fight alongside you, my bond to the shrine prevents me from venturing too far for too long."
Kaelron's shoulders slumped. "You've helped us so much already. I just… I thought we'd still have you with us."
The dragon lowered its massive head, meeting Kaelron's gaze. "You are strong, Kaelron, and you have allies who believe in you. That is enough. Trust in them—and in yourself. Should the need arise, I will answer your call once more."
The dragon's wings unfurled, frost glittering in the dim light. With a powerful leap, it soared into the night sky, its form vanishing into the clouds.
---
The following morning, the group stood at the edge of Mossmere. The enforcers were preparing to leave, their expressions grim but determined.
Kaelron clasped Maren's forearm. "Good luck. Stay safe."
"You too," Maren replied. "The capital's dangerous in its own way. Keep your guard up."
As the enforcers disappeared into the jungle, Kaelron, Nyx, Zerin, and Ignis began their journey toward Eryndral. The road ahead was long, and the shadow of the Veilborn Order loomed ever closer.
From the shadows of the jungle, a pair of glowing violet eyes watched silently as the group departed. The jungle seemed to hold its breath, the darkness deepening as unseen forces began to stir.