Word of the Shadow King's return spread quickly. Villages were razed, and cities fell into chaos as cultists rallied under his banner. The Radiant Order, once the protectors of the realm, struggled to contain the growing threat.
In the midst of this chaos, Caelum and Lyra sought answers. They traveled to the ruins of Aurion, an ancient city said to hold the secrets of the blade's origins.
The journey was perilous. Cultists hunted them relentlessly, and Caelum's bond with the sword grew more unstable. He began to hear the voices of those he had killed, their screams echoing in his dreams.
Aurion was a ghostly place, its streets overgrown with vines and its buildings crumbling with age. At its center stood the Library of the Forgotten, a massive structure that seemed untouched by time.
Inside, they found a lone figure—a blind scholar named Eris. She claimed to be one of the last Seekers of Light, an ancient order dedicated to opposing the Shadow King.
"You carry the Shadowforge Blade," Eris said, her sightless eyes staring directly at Caelum. "It is both a blessing and a curse. If you wish to stop the Shadow King, you must master the blade. But know this: every time you use its power, you lose a piece of yourself."
Caelum's jaw tightened. "How do I stop him without it? He's too powerful."
Eris reached for a dusty tome and opened it to a page depicting a glowing shard. "There is another way. Long ago, the Shadow King's soul was bound to the blade, but the bond can be severed. The shards of the Radiant Core—a relic of pure light—can weaken his hold. Find them, and you may have a chance."
Lyra crossed her arms. "Great. Where do we start?"
Eris smiled faintly. "The shards are scattered across the realm, hidden in places of great danger. You will not find them alone. You must seek allies—those who can resist the Shadow King's influence."
Caelum hesitated. The thought of trusting anyone again felt impossible. But if he wanted to save the realm—and himself—he had no choice.