Chapter 17: The Fragment's Guardian
The Veil's guardian surged forward, its massive form twisting and shifting with the energy of the Red Veil itself. Its movements were chaotic but deliberate, each strike shaking the ground beneath Kaylen and his companions. The air was thick with tension, the Ember Core pulsing in his hand like a living thing.
Kaylen's instincts screamed at him to retreat, but he tightened his grip on the Core, summoning flames that flickered wildly in his palms. "If the fragment's inside that thing, we need to get close!"
"That's easier said than done," Eryn shouted, narrowly dodging one of the guardian's lashing tendrils. Their blade flashed, slicing through part of the creature's form, but the wound sealed almost instantly.
Solas studied the guardian's movements, their relics glowing faintly. "It's connected to the Veil. Every time we damage it, the energy around us regenerates it. We need to disrupt the core of its power—the fragment."
Kaylen's jaw tightened. "How do we even get close enough?"
"I can create an opening," Solas said, their voice steady despite the chaos. "But you'll have to be ready. Once you're inside its defenses, the Core should resonate with the fragment. That's your chance to take it."
Eryn deflected another strike, gritting their teeth. "No pressure, huh?"
Kaylen nodded, swallowing his fear. "Do it."
---
Solas stepped forward, their relics flaring to life. A series of glowing symbols etched themselves into the air, forming a barrier that pushed the guardian back. The creature roared, its form fracturing as it lashed against the barrier, but Solas held firm.
"Now!" Solas shouted, their voice strained from the effort. "Get in there!"
Kaylen sprinted forward, the Ember Core blazing in his hand. The creature's tendrils lashed out, but Eryn intercepted them, their blade moving in a blur. "Go, Kaylen! Don't stop!"
The Core's pulse grew stronger as Kaylen approached the guardian's center. The swirling energy around it became blinding, forcing him to shield his eyes. He could feel the fragment's presence—a powerful resonance that pulled at the Core in his hand.
With a deep breath, he plunged into the heart of the guardian. The world around him dissolved into light and sound, a cacophony of energy that threatened to overwhelm his senses. The Core in his hand burned hot, its pulse syncing with the fragment's.
"Focus," he whispered to himself, forcing his mind to steady. "You've got this."
The fragment appeared before him, floating in the chaos like a shard of broken glass. Its surface glowed with the same light as the Core, its energy radiating power and danger. Kaylen reached out, his hand trembling as he made contact.
The moment his fingers brushed the fragment, the energy around him exploded. Pain shot through his body as the Core and the fragment resonated, their energies clashing in a violent storm. Memories flooded his mind—fragments of a past he didn't recognize, voices speaking in languages he couldn't understand.
"Kaylen!" Eryn's voice cut through the storm, grounding him.
He gritted his teeth, gripping the fragment tightly. The Ember Core's energy surged, wrapping around the fragment like a flame consuming fuel. Slowly, the chaos began to subside, the guardian's form collapsing into shimmering mist.
When the light faded, Kaylen stood in the center of the battlefield, the fragment now fused with the Core in his hand. The air was still, the oppressive weight of the Veil lifting.
He staggered back, his vision swimming. "Did… did we do it?"
Eryn and Solas approached, their weapons lowered. "You did," Solas said, their tone cautious. "But at what cost?"
Kaylen glanced at the Core. Its glow was brighter, its hum deeper, but he could feel it pulling at him more strongly than ever. The fragment's power had amplified the Core, but it had also made it more dangerous.
Eryn clapped him on the shoulder, a faint grin on their face. "You're still standing. That's what matters."
Kaylen nodded, though the weight of the Core in his hand felt heavier than ever. "What now?"
Solas gestured toward the edge of the battlefield. "We move. The Veil will recover soon, and the Hunters won't be far behind."
Kaylen looked back at the mist, the faint shapes of the guardian still swirling in its depths. He had won, but the journey was far from over. The Core was stronger, but so was the burden it placed on him.
"Let's go," he said, determination hardening his voice. "We've got a long way to go."
As they left the Veil behind, Kaylen couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed—not just in the Core, but in him. The fragment's energy had left a mark, and he didn't know how deep it went. But one thing was clear:
The fight wasn't over. Not yet.