Chapter 72: The Truth of the Crystal
The silence after Pedro's statement felt like the cave was going to swallow them all.
Lirian blinked at him, one time…two times…three times…
"Your father?" she finally managed to say.
Pedro nodded, placing a hand against the crystal.
It pulsed faintly under his touch, as if responding to his presence.
"Yes," he said softly. "The crystal isn't just some object. It's alive. It's... sentient. And it's the source of mana in this entire world. I was created by it to protect it. To be its guardian."
Lirian staggered back, her hands pressed to her temples.
"This is insane. You were created by... a glowing rock?"
Pedro turned, to meet her eyes.
"It's more than that, Lirian. This crystal is the heart of the world. It sustains everything—the land, the people, the magic. Without it, nothing would survive."
Kael stepped forward, raising his left eyebrow.
