Chapter 27: The Final Fragment
The Core hummed in Kaylen's hand as the group emerged from the Spire's depths. The air outside was cold, and the jagged peaks surrounding the fortress seemed to stretch endlessly into the horizon. Kaylen stumbled slightly, his body still recovering from the fusion with the second fragment. The Core's glow was brighter than ever, but so was its pull on his mind.
"How are you holding up?" Eryn asked, their voice softer than usual.
Kaylen wiped the sweat from his brow, nodding faintly. "I'll manage. The Core's… louder now. It's harder to block it out."
Solas stepped forward, their gaze steady. "The Core's power is nearing its peak. With two fragments fused, it's more than just a tool—it's a force of nature. But the strain will only get worse."
Kaylen met their gaze, his expression resolute. "We're close. There's only one fragment left. After that… we'll figure it out."
Eryn smirked, though it didn't quite reach their eyes. "Always the optimist, huh?"
Kaylen chuckled weakly. "Someone has to be."
---
The journey to the final fragment began the next morning. Solas's map indicated a remote and uncharted region to the south, a place shrouded in mystery and rumors. The path was grueling, cutting through dense forests and across treacherous ravines. Each step seemed to weigh heavier on Kaylen, the Core's energy growing more volatile as they neared their destination.
"This place feels… wrong," Kaylen said, glancing around the forest. The trees loomed like sentinels, their branches twisting unnaturally. The air was thick, carrying a faint metallic tang that made his skin crawl.
"It should," Solas replied. "The energy of the final fragment is uncontained. Without a vessel, its power distorts everything around it. The land itself becomes a reflection of its chaos."
Eryn shivered, gripping their blade tightly. "Great. Just what we needed—more chaos."
Kaylen's grip on the Core tightened, its warmth spreading through his chest. "How much farther?"
"Not far," Solas said, their tone cautious. "The fragment's energy is strongest just ahead. But be prepared. This fragment isn't like the others."
Kaylen frowned. "What do you mean?"
Solas hesitated, their gaze distant. "The final fragment was never stabilized. It's raw, pure power. If the Core can't absorb it, it'll destroy everything around it—including us."
Eryn let out a low whistle. "No pressure, huh?"
Kaylen nodded, his jaw tightening. "Then we don't fail."
---
The forest thinned as they approached the fragment's resting place, revealing a massive crater that pulsed with eerie light. At its center floated the fragment, a jagged shard that radiated unfiltered energy. The air around it shimmered, distorting the landscape and filling the crater with a constant hum.
"This is it," Solas said, their voice almost reverent. "The final fragment."
Kaylen stepped forward, the Core in his hand blazing like a second sun. The fragment's pull was overwhelming, its energy pressing against him like a tidal wave. He could feel the Core resonating with it, their connection growing stronger with each step.
"This one's… different," Kaylen said, his voice strained. "It feels… angry."
Eryn glanced at Solas. "Angry? Is that even possible?"
Solas nodded. "The fragments aren't just objects—they're remnants of a greater power. This one was left untamed for centuries. Its will is… fractured."
Kaylen gritted his teeth, his body trembling as he approached the fragment. The whispers in his mind had turned into a roar, their fragmented words blurring together into an incomprehensible cacophony.
"I can do this," he said, more to himself than to the others.
"Kaylen—" Solas began, but he raised a hand to stop them.
"I can do this," he repeated, his voice steady despite the chaos in his mind.
---
The moment Kaylen touched the fragment, the world exploded into light. The energy surged through him, wild and uncontrollable, threatening to tear him apart. The Core in his hand blazed brighter than ever, its resonance syncing with the fragment's in a violent clash.
Pain wracked his body as the fragment's will pressed against him, testing his resolve. Memories flooded his mind—not just his own, but fragments of a world long gone. He saw cities consumed by fire, figures wielding unimaginable power, and the birth of the artifact itself.
"Kaylen!" Eryn's voice cut through the storm, grounding him. "Focus!"
Kaylen clenched his fists, his breath ragged. The Core's energy was wild, but it wasn't overwhelming. He forced himself to focus, channeling the fragment's power into the Core. Slowly, the chaos began to subside, the light dimming as the fragment fused with the artifact.
When the light faded, Kaylen collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. The Core in his hand pulsed faintly, its glow steady but ominous.
"You did it," Solas said, kneeling beside him. "The fragment is contained."
Kaylen nodded weakly, his voice hoarse. "It's… stronger now. I can feel it."
Eryn offered a hand, pulling him to his feet. "You're stronger too, kid. Don't forget that."
Kaylen managed a weak smile, though the weight of the Core in his hand felt heavier than ever. He could feel the fragments' power coursing through him, but the cost of wielding them was becoming clearer with every step.
"We have all the fragments now," Solas said, their tone serious. "But the Hunters won't stop. They'll come for you—and for the Core."
Kaylen's resolve hardened as he stared at the glowing artifact in his hand. The journey had taken everything from him, but he wasn't done yet.
"Let them come," he said, his voice steady despite the exhaustion in his limbs. "I'm ready."
The Core pulsed in agreement, its energy steady and strong. The fight wasn't over, but for the first time, Kaylen felt like he had the power to face what was coming.