Kael's heart hammered in his chest as he stood alone in the center of the temple's chamber. The obsidian shard still lay on the altar before him, its dark surface shimmering faintly in the dim light. It was as though it had a life of its own—its pull irresistible, yet dangerous. Every fiber of Kael's being screamed at him to reach for it again, to feel the earth's power surge through him, but he resisted.
For the first time, the weight of the responsibility felt overwhelming. It was no longer just about protecting his people or stopping the gods—it was about survival. His survival. The earth had shown him what would happen if he lost control. He had seen the wasteland, the destruction that would follow if he let the power consume him.
The hum of the stone seemed to echo in the silence, taunting him. It was waiting, calling, urging him to take what it offered. But Kael clenched his fists, grounding himself in the realization that he couldn't let it take him. Not like this.
He turned his gaze to the others. Liora and Merek had been silent since the vision had faded. They hadn't spoken much, but Kael could see the concern etched into their faces. They knew what was at stake.
"It's growing stronger," Merek said quietly, his voice tense. "The power in you—it's becoming harder to control."
Kael nodded, his throat dry. "I know. Every moment it's like it's inside me, pushing at the walls of my mind. I can feel the earth beneath me, in the air, in everything. It's… it's overwhelming."
Liora stepped forward, her eyes filled with determination. "You don't have to face this alone, Kael. We're with you. We'll help you learn to control it. You can't just shut it out, but you can master it. We've seen the dangers, and we'll be ready for them."
Kael met her gaze, his heart heavy with doubt. "I don't know if I can," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "The cost… it's too great. I saw what happens when the power gets out of hand. I saw what I could become."
Liora's expression softened, and she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You're not alone in this. Not just us, but the earth itself… it's not about dominating it. It's about learning to flow with it. You were chosen for a reason."
Merek's voice cut through the tension. "We don't have much time. If the gods are already aware of your connection to the earth, they won't wait much longer. We need to prepare for what comes next."
Kael looked down at the shard once more. The vision, the voice of the earth, the figure cloaked in shadow—it all weighed heavily on him. He couldn't ignore it any longer. But the fear in his chest was real.
"I can't let it take me," Kael muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "I can't let the earth consume me."
The ground beneath his feet trembled, a low rumble that made Kael's skin prickle. The hum of the stone seemed to grow louder, more insistent, and Kael could feel the power stirring deep inside him. He wasn't sure if it was the earth or his own fear, but something was happening.
And it was happening fast.
The world shifted again.
Kael's vision blurred, and suddenly, the temple was gone. He was standing in the middle of an open field, the wind biting at his skin. The sky was a swirling mass of clouds, dark and threatening, as though the very heavens were ready to break apart. The ground beneath him cracked and buckled, as if the earth itself were shaking in response to his presence.
A voice echoed from the distance, its tone cold and commanding.
"Kael."
He turned, his heart racing, and there, standing in the distance, was the cloaked figure. Its eyes gleamed like molten coals, burning with an intensity that made Kael's breath catch in his throat.
"You cannot control this power," the figure said, its voice carrying an ominous weight. "You were never meant to. The earth will consume you, just as it consumed those before you."
Kael stepped forward, his body trembling with the weight of the words. "I won't let that happen," he said, his voice firm, though it shook with uncertainty. "I can control it. I have to."
The figure tilted its head, studying him with an almost curious gaze. "You think you have a choice in this?" it asked. "The earth will choose you, or it will destroy you. It is not bound by your will. You cannot fight it."
Kael's heart raced as the ground beneath him began to shake more violently. The wind howled around him, and the air seemed to crackle with energy. He could feel the earth's power stirring within him, and this time, it was no longer a faint pulse. It was a force—raw, untamed, and threatening to tear him apart.
"You're wrong," Kael said, gritting his teeth. "I'll master it. I won't let it destroy me."
The figure's laugh was low and mocking. "You do not understand. The earth does not bend to your will. It is an unstoppable force. And in the end, it will break you."
The sky above them seemed to split open, and Kael could feel the earth beneath him rising, shaking, as though it were trying to swallow him whole. He staggered backward, his breath coming in quick gasps, as the power surged inside him, threatening to consume him.
But then, something inside him clicked. The fear, the chaos—it all merged into something sharper, something clearer. The earth wasn't a force to be controlled, not like a weapon to be wielded. It was part of him.
And just like the earth, he needed to find balance.
With a shout, Kael thrust his hands forward, pushing against the rising energy. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the earth responded.
It was as though the power within him and the power beneath him merged, flowing through his body in a rush of pure, unbridled force. The ground beneath his feet settled, the wind died down, and the storm in the sky slowly receded.
The figure stood before him, its eyes narrowing. "You think you've won? This is only the beginning, Kael. You may have stopped the storm, but it will return, stronger than before. You cannot escape what you are."
And with those words, the figure dissolved into the wind, leaving Kael standing alone in the field.
The earth had settled, but Kael knew it was only temporary. The storm would return. The battle for control would continue.
When Kael awoke, the vision faded, leaving him standing in the temple once again, his hands still tingling with the residual energy of the earth's power. The room was eerily silent, save for the sound of his own ragged breathing.
Liora and Merek were by his side instantly, their faces a mixture of concern and relief.
"Kael," Liora whispered. "What happened? Where did you go?"
Kael swallowed, his throat dry. "I saw it again. The earth's power… it's not something I can control. But it's part of me now. I need to find a way to balance it. I can't let it consume me, but I can't keep running from it, either."
Merek placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're not alone in this, Kael. We'll help you find that balance. Together."
Kael nodded, the weight of the power still heavy within him. He didn't have all the answers, but one thing was clear: the earth had chosen him. And now, it was up to him to master it—or be destroyed by it.