The next fragment was eerily beautiful, its surface shimmering like glass. Golden orbs of light floated gently above the ground, casting a warm glow. The air felt lighter here, and the whispers were faint.
"This is a memory fragment," Sylva said, her voice soft. "It holds echoes of what was lost, preserved in the light."
Aiden stepped forward, his eyes drawn to one of the orbs. As he touched it, a memory flickered to life—a vision of him and Lila sitting by the fountain in their favorite park. Her laughter filled the air, warm and familiar.
"She's waiting for you," Sylva said gently. "But you must stay strong."
The memory shifted, and the whispers grew louder. Shadows began to seep into the fragment, twisting the golden light into crimson veins. The vision of Lila faded, replaced by jagged figures that emerged from the darkness.
"Not again," Rowan muttered, raising her spear. "Let's take them out."
The shadows attacked, their movements faster and more coordinated than before. Aiden gripped the quill-sword, which shifted into a glowing lance. He charged forward, driving the weapon into the ground and sending a wave of light through the creatures.
But the whispers clawed at his mind, and his grip faltered. The quill-sword dissolved into the ring, which glowed faintly with shadow. Chains of darkness erupted from the ground, binding the creatures in place, but the shadows fought back, twisting the chains into jagged spikes that lashed at the group.
"Aiden, focus!" Sylva shouted. "You're losing control!"
Aiden closed his eyes, forcing himself to breathe. He imagined the light of Yggdrasil, steady and warm. The ring glowed brighter, and the chains twisted back into radiant arrows that pierced through the shadows. The creatures dissolved, and the fragment stabilized.
As the group left the fragment, Sylva hovered beside Aiden, her light warm but flickering. "You are walking a dangerous path, Aiden. The balance within you is fragile."
"I'm fine," Aiden said, his voice tense. "I just need to keep moving."
Rowan frowned but didn't press further. Kieran walked beside Aiden, his expression unreadable. "You don't have to carry this alone, you know."
Aiden glanced at him, his voice quiet. "Feels like I do."
"You don't," Kieran said firmly. "We're in this together. Don't forget that."
Aiden nodded, though the weight of the ring on his finger felt heavier with each step.