The path to the Sky Bastions' hidden archives was perilous, weaving through dark forests and treacherous ravines. Auren felt the weight of the journey in her bones, yet the pull in her chest persisted—a strange, almost painful longing that seemed to guide her steps.
Kaelen moved ahead, his wings folded tight against his back. Caleb followed close behind, his sword unsheathed, his eyes darting at every sound.
"What exactly are we looking for in these archives?" Caleb asked, his voice low but steady.
Kaelen glanced over his shoulder. "The Valkyran archives contain records of ancient battles, including the War of the Gods. If there's a clue about where the shards of the Eternal Seal are hidden, it will be there. But we need to be cautious. The archives are guarded."
"Guarded?" Auren asked, her voice breaking the tense silence.
Kaelen nodded grimly. "After the fall of the Bastions, remnants of Elyndra's forces scattered. Some now protect the archives, believing it their duty. They'll see us as intruders."
By the time they reached the cliffs leading to the archives, the sun was setting, casting the sky in hues of deep orange and purple. The entrance was carved into the rock face, its massive stone doors etched with Valkyran sigils.
Kaelen stepped forward and pressed his hand against the central symbol, muttering an incantation in a language neither Auren nor Caleb understood. The ground rumbled as the doors groaned open, revealing a narrow staircase spiraling downward into darkness.
"This is it," Kaelen said, his voice hushed. "Stay close, and be silent."
The air inside was cold and damp, the walls lined with ancient carvings depicting the gods in their glory. Auren couldn't help but pause, her fingers brushing against one mural. It showed Serenia standing beside the God of Ambition, their expressions serene—a stark contrast to the chaos she now associated with their names.
"They weren't always enemies," she murmured.
Kaelen turned back to her. "No, they weren't. Once, they were siblings in purpose, united in creation. It was ambition that corrupted him."
As they descended deeper, the sound of distant voices echoed through the halls. Kaelen held up a hand, signaling for silence.
"They're here," he whispered. "Elyndra's soldiers."
Auren's stomach tightened as they crept forward. At the bottom of the staircase, they found a grand chamber filled with towering shelves of scrolls and tablets. Valkyran guards patrolled the room, their armor glinting in the dim light.
"We'll never get past them unseen," Caleb muttered.
Kaelen's jaw tightened. "We don't need to fight them. Follow my lead."
He stepped out into the open, his posture confident. "I am Kaelen Tareth, and I claim sanctuary under Valkyran law. Let me pass."
The guards hesitated, their hands resting on their weapons. One stepped forward, her expression hard. "Sanctuary does not extend to traitors, Kaelen. You've aligned yourself with enemies of the Bastions."
Kaelen raised his chin. "I fight for the true Valkyrans, those who honor the Nurturers. Do you really believe Elyndra's pact with Eryndor serves our people?"
The guard faltered, her grip on her spear loosening. "Elyndra says her path will restore balance…"
"Her path will destroy us all," Kaelen interrupted. "Let me pass, and I'll prove it."
The guard exchanged a glance with her comrades before stepping aside. "You'll find nothing but ruin here, Kaelen. But go. The blood you spill is on your hands."
The trio wasted no time, moving through the aisles of the archive as Kaelen searched for a specific section. Auren couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. The pull in her chest had intensified, as though the very air around her was alive with energy.
Finally, Kaelen stopped in front of a pedestal holding a single golden tablet. "This is it," he said, carefully lifting it.
The tablet glowed faintly, its surface inscribed with an ancient script. Auren stepped closer, her eyes drawn to the symbols.
"What does it say?" she asked.
Kaelen's brow furrowed as he read aloud. "The shards of the Eternal Seal are bound to the essences of their creators. To claim them, one must possess the courage to face the truth of their own soul."
Auren felt a chill run through her. "Bound to their creators? Does that mean the shards are tied to the gods themselves?"
Kaelen nodded. "It makes sense. Each shard represents a fragment of their essence. To find them, we'll need more than strength—we'll need understanding."
Before they could process the revelation, the sound of approaching footsteps shattered their focus. Elyndra's soldiers had returned, and this time, there were no doubts in their eyes.
"Run!" Kaelen shouted, clutching the tablet as he led them toward a side passage.
The guards pursued, their shouts echoing through the halls. Auren's heart raced as they sprinted through narrow corridors, the walls seeming to close in around them.
Suddenly, Kaelen stopped, his wings flaring as he turned to face Caleb and Auren. "Go. I'll hold them off."
"No!" Auren cried. "We need you!"
Kaelen's expression softened. "You'll need what's on this tablet more. Go, Auren. Caleb. Protect her."
Before they could protest, Kaelen launched himself toward the approaching guards, his wings creating a gust of wind that pushed Auren and Caleb into the passage.
Hours later, Auren and Caleb emerged into the open air, the cool night sky offering little comfort. Auren felt hollow, guilt gnawing at her as she replayed Kaelen's sacrifice in her mind.
"We can't let this be for nothing," Caleb said, his voice steady despite the tension in his posture.
Auren nodded, though her resolve was shaky. She pulled out the tablet, her fingers trembling as she traced its glowing symbols.
"What do you think it meant?" she asked softly. "The part about facing the truth of our own souls?"
Caleb's expression darkened. "I don't know. But I think we're about to find out."
___
Unbeknownst to them, far away in the ruins of Elyria, Elyndra stood before Eryndor, a cruel smile on her lips. In her hands, she held a shard of the Eternal Seal, its dark energy pulsating with power.
"They'll come for it," she said.
Eryndor's laughter filled the chamber. "Let them. We'll be ready."