The trio continued deeper into the Obsidian Rift, the oppressive atmosphere pressing down on them with every step. The jagged spires seemed to twist and shift in the mist, as though they were alive, watching and waiting. The tension between Eren, Kael, and Liora hung heavy in the air, unspoken but undeniable.
Eren walked ahead, the fragment's light pulsing in rhythm with his quickened heartbeat. The whispers in his mind had dulled but remained a constant hum, like the faint echo of a storm. Liora and Kael exchanged worried glances behind him, their unspoken fears weighing heavily on their shoulders.
"This place is unnatural," Liora muttered, her eyes scanning the shifting shadows. "It's like it's alive."
Kael grunted in agreement. "Or cursed. Places like this don't just exist—they're made. Probably by whatever's guarding the next fragment."
Eren didn't reply. His focus was singular, the fragment's pull driving him forward.
---
A Grim Discovery
The group came to a sudden halt as the ground beneath them shifted. The mist parted slightly, revealing a massive chasm filled with jagged shards of obsidian. At the center of the chasm stood a towering obelisk, its surface etched with ancient runes that glowed faintly.
"There," Eren said, pointing toward the obelisk. "The next fragment is inside."
Kael squinted at the structure, his grip tightening on his sword. "If it's there, you can bet something is guarding it."
As if on cue, the air grew colder, and a deep, resonant sound echoed through the rift—a sound like the grinding of stone against stone. The mist swirled violently, and from the shadows emerged a colossal figure.
The Warden of the Rift stood at least twenty feet tall, its body a fusion of stone, obsidian, and molten energy. Its face was featureless except for two glowing eyes, and its massive hands gripped a jagged obsidian glaive that radiated an aura of destruction.
"Well, there's our confirmation," Kael muttered, drawing his sword.
The Warden let out a deafening roar, the sound reverberating through the rift and shaking the ground beneath them.
"Spread out!" Eren shouted, his sword igniting with the fragment's energy.
---
The Battle Begins
The Warden swung its glaive in a wide arc, the sheer force of the attack shattering the ground and sending shards of obsidian flying. Eren rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike, while Kael charged forward, his greatsword aimed at the creature's midsection.
Kael's blade struck true, but the Warden's stone skin barely cracked. It retaliated with a backhanded swing, sending Kael sprawling across the ground.
"Kael!" Liora yelled, firing a volley of arrows at the Warden's glowing eyes. Her shots hit their mark, causing the creature to roar in pain and momentarily stagger.
Eren seized the opportunity, leaping onto the Warden's back and driving his blade into a glowing fissure near its neck. The fragment's energy surged, causing the creature to writhe and thrash violently.
"Keep it distracted!" Eren shouted as he clung to the Warden, his sword carving deeper into the fissure.
Kael got to his feet, wiping blood from his mouth. "Oh, I'll distract it." He hefted his greatsword and charged again, this time aiming for the Warden's legs. His strike landed with enough force to crack one of the obsidian plates, causing the creature to stumble.
Liora continued her assault from a distance, her arrows glowing faintly with light as they struck the Warden's weak points.
---
A Dangerous Gambit
Despite their coordinated efforts, the Warden seemed to grow stronger with every attack, its molten core glowing brighter and its movements becoming faster.
"We're not doing enough damage!" Kael shouted, narrowly dodging another swing of the glaive.
Eren's grip on the fragment tightened as he felt its power surge within him. The whispers returned, louder and more insistent. Use me. Let me show you the way.
"No!" Eren growled, shaking his head.
"What?" Liora called, her voice laced with worry.
"Nothing! Just keep it off me!" Eren yelled back, his voice strained.
The fragment pulsed violently in his hand, and for a moment, Eren's vision blurred. He saw flashes of a golden crown, shattered and reforged, and heard a voice—not the fragment's, but something deeper. You are not ready.
Eren shook the vision away, focusing on the Warden. He raised his blade high, channeling the fragment's energy into a concentrated strike.
"Eren, don't!" Liora's voice cut through the din of battle, but it was too late.
Eren brought his sword down with all his might, releasing a blinding burst of light that pierced through the Warden's core. The creature let out a final, deafening roar before collapsing into a heap of smoldering stone and molten shards.
---
The Price of Power
The battlefield fell silent, save for the faint crackling of the Warden's remains. Eren stood at the center, his body trembling as the fragment's light dimmed.
Kael and Liora approached cautiously, their weapons still drawn.
"Eren," Liora said softly, her voice filled with concern. "Are you okay?"
Eren turned to her, his expression hollow. "I'm fine."
Kael frowned. "You don't look fine."
"I said I'm fine!" Eren snapped, his voice sharper than intended.
Liora flinched but didn't back away. "This is exactly what we were afraid of. The fragment—"
"The fragment is what saved us!" Eren interrupted, his eyes blazing. "If I hadn't used its power, we'd all be dead!"
Kael stepped forward, his expression grim. "Maybe, but at what cost? Look at yourself, Eren. This thing is tearing you apart."
Eren glared at him, his hand tightening around the fragment. "You don't understand. None of you do."
Without another word, he turned and began walking toward the obelisk. Liora and Kael exchanged worried glances but followed silently.
---
The Fragment's Gift
Inside the obelisk, the air was still and heavy. At its center floated the next fragment, its glow faint but alluring. Eren approached it, his steps steady despite the weight of his emotions.
As he reached out to claim it, the whispers returned, louder than ever. Two pieces. One step closer. Do you feel it, Eren? The power is yours.
He hesitated, his hand trembling. Then, with a deep breath, he grasped the fragment.
The room was flooded with light, and for a moment, Eren felt a surge of strength unlike anything he'd ever known. But with it came a deeper darkness—a warning of what was yet to come.
When the light faded, he turned to face his companions. "We keep moving."
Kael and Liora said nothing, but the unease in their eyes spoke volumes.
As they left the rift behind, the tension between them grew heavier. The fragments were powerful, but they were also dangerous. And as Eren walked ahead, the others couldn't help but wonder: how much longer before the fragments consumed him entirely?