The forest felt eerily silent. Van and Lyria's footsteps echoed in the stillness of the night, illuminated only by the faint glow of the moon hanging in the sky. The black crystal he had just found was carefully stored in his bag. Van kept walking, but his mind was full of questions.
"So, you're a Guardian?" Van broke the silence, starting a conversation. "What exactly is your duty?"
Lyria walked calmly beside him, her black cloak swaying with her steps. "Guardians are tasked by the gods to protect the fragments of the Outsider. Each Guardian has a fragment they safeguard. However, I've left my duty for one reason."
Van turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "And that is?"
"You," Lyria answered firmly but simply. "You are part of an inevitable destiny. Your presence influences the balance of this world. That first fragment was merely the beginning of your journey."
Van frowned. Lyria's words were cryptic, but before he could ask further, the sound of footsteps echoed in the distance, growing louder. Lyria stopped abruptly, raising a hand to signal Van to stay quiet.
From the shadows of the trees, a group of people dressed in dark clothing emerged. Their faces were concealed by masks adorned with strange symbols, and each of them carried weapons.
"Guardian of the fragment," one of them said, his voice low and threatening. "We know you have it. Surrender it, or neither of you will leave here alive."
Lyria gripped her magic staff tightly. "They're fragment hunters," she said to Van. "These people work for a force that seeks to revive the Outsider. They won't stop until the fragment is in their hands."
Van drew his sword simple in design but sharp enough to face any threat. "So, what's the plan? Negotiate or fight?"
Lyria smirked faintly. "They didn't come to negotiate."
Before Van could respond, one of the hunters charged. The battle began.
The fight was intense. The fragment hunters were no ordinary opponents. They moved with extraordinary speed and strength, almost inhuman. Van used his experience as a wanderer to counter their attacks with agility. He dodged their swift strikes but soon realized their numbers were far greater than he had anticipated.
Lyria, on the other hand, used her magic to control the battlefield. With her staff, she created barriers of energy to protect Van while launching counterattacks with bursts of light that obliterated their enemies. However, the hunters seemed fearless. They kept advancing, even as some of them fell.
"Van, don't let them touch the fragment!" Lyria shouted amidst the chaos.
"I know!" Van replied, holding his ground.
One of the hunters leaped toward Van, aiming for the bag containing the black crystal. In an instant, Van's eyes glowed a vivid red, far brighter than before. A surge of power awakened within him, something he couldn't understand. With a single swing of his sword, he shattered his opponent's weapon a feat he had never achieved before.
The hunter fell back, his eyes wide with shock. "He... he's no ordinary human!" he shouted, just before being obliterated by Lyria's magic.
When the battle ended, Van stood in the midst of the fallen hunters, panting heavily. Some had fled, but most were not so fortunate. Lyria approached him, her expression serious.
"Those red eyes," she said, staring at Van intently. "That's not normal. Your power... it's not something an ordinary human possesses."
Van looked at her in confusion. "What do you mean? I'm just a regular human."
Lyria shook her head. "No, Van. You have something called resonance with the fragments. That's why you were chosen for this mission. You and the Outsider are connected, which also makes you a target for these hunters."
Van was stunned. "Are you saying I have some kind of link to the Outsider? That doesn't make any sense!"
"I'm not saying you're a part of him," Lyria explained. "But something within you... perhaps a remnant of energy left behind by the Outsider during his final battle with the gods. That's why you can interact with the fragments, and that's also why your dreams have always led you down this path."
Van fell silent, trying to process what Lyria was saying. If her words were true, then he wasn't just an ordinary human. It explained so much his red eyes, the dreams, and the power that had just manifested during the fight.
But Van also realized something even more important. If he truly was connected to the Outsider, then he bore a tremendous responsibility. He had to ensure that the fragments didn't fall into the wrong hands, or the world would be destroyed once again.
Lyria continued her explanation. "The fragment hunters are part of an organization called the Cult of Revival. They believe the Outsider is the key to creating a new world. They aim to gather the fragments to break the seal created by the gods and awaken the Outsider."
"And what happens if they succeed?" Van asked.
Lyria looked at him gravely. "If the Outsider awakens, this world will cease to exist. Only destruction will remain."
Van gripped his sword tighter. "Then I have to stop them. Whatever it takes."
Lyria gave a faint smile. "That's why I'm here. I'll help you on this journey. But remember, this is just the beginning. There are still eleven other fragments you need to find, and each of them is guarded by forces even more dangerous than this."
Van nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "I'm ready."
With that, they continued their journey, leaving behind a forest filled with shadows of death and stepping toward their next destination where the second fragment awaited.