Chapter 4: Fragments of Truth
Ren stared into the horizon, where dark clouds lingered like a harbinger of something far greater. The Codex weighed heavily in his backpack, mirroring the burden growing in his mind. Kal and Kael were locked in an intense discussion, but Ren barely heard their words. His thoughts were consumed by the events at the barrier and the whispered words still echoing in his mind: "Every choice you make brings you closer to us."
Kael broke through Ren's thoughts with a light tap on his shoulder.
— "If you want to survive, you need to learn. This is not a kind world for bearers of the Codex."
Ren met his gaze, suspicion still evident in his eyes.
— "And why do you care?"
Kael chuckled softly, but his smile was bitter.
— "I've seen more bearers fall than I'd like to admit. The Codex is not just a tool—it's a trap. Every decision you make with it feels necessary… until you realize you've lost everything that matters."
Kal stepped forward, cutting through the tension.
— "If we're going to train Ren, we'll need to leave here. The village is safe for now, but what you've awakened will attract far worse things."
Ren frowned.
— "Where are we going?"
Kael pointed north, where a line of mountains sliced through the horizon.
— "To the Tomb of Chains. It's an ancient training ground where the first bearers learned to control their abilities. If it still functions, it's the only place where you can begin to understand what you carry."
Ren hesitated. The name alone seemed to carry enough danger, but he knew there was no choice.
— "When do we leave?"
Kal glanced at Kael, who nodded.
— "Tomorrow morning. You'll need rest. The journey will be long, and the dangers will begin before we even get there."
---
The night was restless. Ren tried to sleep, but once again, dreams ensnared him. He stood in a vast, empty field where the ground shimmered like liquid glass. At the center, a hooded figure watched him. When Ren tried to approach, the ground shattered, and he began to fall, swallowed by darkness.
He woke with a start, sweat dripping from his brow. The first thing he did was check his backpack. The Codex was there, unmoving, but its presence was undeniable.
---
In the morning, the group gathered in the central square. A few villagers approached, offering supplies and words of encouragement, but Ren could see the fear in their eyes. He wondered how many believed he would save the village and how many feared he would bring its ruin.
Kael led the group north along a trail winding toward the mountains. Kal stayed behind, taking responsibility for maintaining the barrier in Ren's absence.
— "Don't trust Kael blindly," Kal whispered to Ren before they left. — "He has secrets. We all do."
Ren said nothing, but he knew he couldn't ignore the elder's warning.
---
The trek through the forests was grueling. Kael maintained a steady but relentless pace, and Ren struggled to keep up. The terrain was uneven, and the silence of the forest carried an unidentifiable weight.
— "Have you ever trained before?" Kael asked abruptly as they crossed a shallow stream.
Ren shook his head.
— "Not exactly. I've always been good with weapons, but I've never needed more than that."
Kael gave a crooked smile, though it offered little comfort.
— "That will change. The Codex demands more than physical skill. It will test your mind, your emotions… and it will break you, if you let it."
Ren clenched his fists.
— "Then I'll have to learn not to let it."
Kael didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stopped and turned to Ren, pointing to the sky.
— "Look at that."
Ren followed his gaze and felt his breath catch. In the sky, a thin crack glowed faintly, pulsing like an open wound. The Codex vibrated slightly in his backpack, as if it recognized the fissure.
— "What is that?" Ren asked.
Kael exhaled deeply before answering.
— "It's a fissure. When you opened the door, these things started appearing. They're breaches between this world and the Void, and everything that lives within them wants to get out."
Ren stared at the fissure, a mixture of fascination and fear rising within him.
— "How do we close them?"
Kael's expression hardened.
— "That's the question everyone's been asking since the fissures began to appear. So far, no one's found a permanent answer."
---
As the sun began to set, the group found a natural shelter on a rocky slope. Kael lit a fire and prepared a simple meal while Ren sat silently, watching the flames dance.
— "What do you hope to achieve with this, boy?" Kael asked suddenly.
Ren frowned.
— "With what?"
Kael gestured to Ren's backpack, where the Codex rested.
— "With the Codex. With what you're doing now. Why are you going along with this?"
Ren was quiet for a moment before answering.
— "Because I don't have a choice. The Codex chose me, and now I'm bound to it."
Kael let out a short, humorless laugh.
— "It's never that simple. You always have a choice. The real question is: can you live with the consequences?"
Ren didn't reply. He knew Kael was right, but there wasn't time to question his motivations now.
As the night wore on, Ren lay near the fire but found no sleep. He stared at the stars above, feeling the Codex's weight once again. Every step he took seemed to carry him further from everything he knew and closer to something he was only beginning to understand.
---
The following morning, the group resumed their journey, drawing closer to the mountains. The terrain grew more challenging, and the presence of the Void felt stronger with every step. Ren knew that whatever awaited him at the Tomb of Chains would not be easy, but he was determined to uncover the truth—about the Codex, the fissures, and the role he was destined to play.
The journey was just beginning, but the cost was already high. And Ren knew there was still far more to pay.