Far from the icy peaks, within the heart of a dark fortress, Raven stood before a massive, obsidian mirror. The chamber was dimly lit, with streams of violet energy coursing through runes etched into the walls.
The mirror shimmered, displaying the faint glow of the shard Amara had just claimed. Raven's crimson eyes narrowed as she clenched her fists.
"They've acquired another shard," she murmured, her voice cold and sharp. "The Bearer is becoming a nuisance."
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The Council of Shadows
Behind her, a circle of shadowy figures materialized, their forms indistinct but menacing. These were Raven's advisors, the Shadow Council, each a master of dark arts and subterfuge.
One figure stepped forward, their voice a rasping whisper. "The Bearer's progress was… unexpected. The guardian should have destroyed her."
Another spoke, their tone dripping with malice. "The resistance is growing bold. They dare to defy you, Mistress Raven. Shall we crush them?"
Raven raised a hand, silencing them. "The Bearer's power grows, but she is still untested. She relies on her companions and lacks the full strength of the Light. We will exploit this weakness."
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A New Plan
Turning back to the mirror, Raven waved her hand, and the image shifted to the city Amara and her group had just left. The ancient streets were still glowing faintly from the shard's activation.
"The shards resonate when they are near each other," Raven said. "With every one they claim, they lead us closer to the rest. We will let them do the hard work… for now."
A figure with glowing yellow eyes stepped forward. "And when they have all the shards?"
Raven's lips curled into a cruel smile. "We will take them. The Bearer will come to me, whether by force or manipulation. She cannot resist forever."
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Unleashing the Wraiths
Raven turned to one of her generals, a towering figure clad in black armor and surrounded by a dark aura. "Vyrak, take your wraiths to the mountain passes. Herd the Bearer and her allies toward the trap we've prepared."
Vyrak bowed deeply, his voice a guttural growl. "It will be done, Mistress. The wraiths hunger for the Light."
"Do not kill her," Raven warned, her tone icy. "We need her alive until the shards are united. Her power must be intact for the ritual."
Vyrak nodded, vanishing into the shadows.
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A Personal Stake
As the chamber emptied, one figure lingered—a lithe woman with silver hair and piercing blue eyes. Her expression was unreadable as she stepped forward.
"Why do you hesitate, Raven?" she asked, her voice smooth but sharp. "The Bearer is still inexperienced. Crush her now, and the shards will be ours."
Raven turned to her, her eyes blazing. "You think I don't want that, Syra? The Bearer is no ordinary opponent. She is tied to the Light in ways we don't yet understand. A direct confrontation now could backfire."
Syra's lips curved into a sly smile. "Or it could prove your superiority once and for all."
Raven's gaze softened for a moment, then hardened. "The time will come, Syra. For now, we play the long game."
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A Glimpse of the Past
As Syra left, Raven turned back to the mirror. For a brief moment, her reflection shimmered, revealing a younger version of herself—one filled with hope and light. She scowled and clenched her fists, the image vanishing.
"The Light failed me once," she whispered to herself. "It will not fail me again. The Bearer will understand… and when she does, she'll join me. Willingly or not."
The mirror darkened, leaving Raven alone in the shadows, her mind already weaving the next steps of her plan.
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