Kael stood atop the crumbled remains of a once-great temple, gazing out at the endless expanse of the Shattered Realms. The air was crisp, carrying the faint hum of magic that seemed to flow through the floating islands. He could feel the weight of the Godshard in his hand—a small, glowing fragment of immense power. It pulsed faintly, resonating with something far beyond his understanding.
Behind him, Lira and Erynn were making preparations for their next journey. The airship that had carried them through countless dangers rested nearby, its hull battered but still functional. Lira's voice carried over the wind as she barked orders at the crew, while Erynn pored over her ancient scrolls, searching for clues to their next destination.
Kael clenched his fist around the shard. The battle with Thorne had taken its toll, and the scars—both physical and emotional—were still fresh. But the fight had also given him clarity. He had seen what the shards could do, both the destruction they could cause and the hope they could bring.
"Are you ready?" Lira's voice broke through his thoughts.
Kael turned to see her standing with her arms crossed, a wry smile on her face. Despite everything they had endured, her spirit remained unbroken.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Kael replied.
Erynn joined them, holding a freshly inked map. "I've deciphered more of the text," she said, her tone brisk but tinged with excitement. "There's another shard located in the Ruins of Zephyra. It's dangerous territory, but it's our best lead."
"Dangerous seems to be our specialty," Lira quipped, earning a small smile from Kael.
Erynn's expression turned serious. "This journey isn't just about finding the shards anymore. The more I uncover about the Sundering, the more I'm convinced that someone—or something—caused it deliberately. If we don't figure out who's behind this, gathering the shards might not be enough to stop it from happening again."
Kael nodded, the weight of her words settling on his shoulders. "Then we have to keep moving. We can't let the Empire—or anyone else—get to the shards first."
As they boarded the airship, Kael took one last look at the horizon. The floating realms stretched endlessly, each one a fragment of a broken world. It was a daunting task, but he knew they couldn't stop now.
Once aboard, Lira set the course, her hands steady on the controls. The airship hummed to life, its magical engines propelling them forward. Kael stood at the bow, the wind whipping through his hair, as Erynn joined him.
"You're different," she said quietly.
Kael glanced at her. "What do you mean?"
"You've changed since we left Skyfall. You're not just reacting anymore—you're leading. You've accepted that this is your path."
He didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "I don't think I have a choice," he admitted. "The shards, the Sundering, the gods—it's all connected, and for some reason, I'm in the middle of it. If I don't step up, who will?"
Erynn placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're not alone, Kael. Remember that. Lira and I—we're with you."
The journey ahead was uncertain, but for the first time since discovering the Godshard, Kael felt a glimmer of hope. They had a purpose, a direction. And though the road would be perilous, he knew they had to keep moving forward.
As the airship soared into the sky, Kael silently vowed to see this mission through. He would find the remaining shards, uncover the truth of the Sundering, and restore the balance to the realms—no matter what it cost.
The path forward was fraught with danger, but it was the only path left to take.