The path leading away from the Obsidian Rift was desolate, a barren stretch of jagged earth and broken skies. The mist of the rift clung to their clothes, its chill refusing to dissipate even under the sun's feeble light. Eren walked ahead, silent and unyielding, his hand gripping the second fragment as though it was the only thing tethering him to reality.
Behind him, Liora and Kael exchanged worried glances, their pace slower and their steps hesitant. The unease between them had festered since the battle with the Warden.
"Liora," Kael whispered, his voice low to avoid catching Eren's attention, "we need to do something. He's slipping further into this... obsession."
Liora frowned, her gaze fixed on Eren's rigid back. "I know. But what can we do? He won't listen to us, and without him, we can't stop Malrik."
Kael's jaw tightened. "Without him, we might not even survive, but if he keeps using those fragments... it's only a matter of time before he turns on us."
Liora looked away, her expression conflicted. "I don't want to believe that."
"Neither do I," Kael admitted. "But we need to be ready for the worst."
---
The Ruined Village
By midday, they reached the outskirts of a ruined village, its charred remains a grim reminder of Malrik's conquest. The air smelled of ash and decay, and the silence was deafening.
Eren paused at the edge of the village, his gaze sweeping over the destruction. "We'll rest here for a while," he said curtly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Kael scowled but said nothing. Liora hesitated before nodding, her hand instinctively brushing against the quiver on her back.
They set up camp in the remnants of what appeared to have been a marketplace. The burned stalls and shattered goods painted a picture of chaos and despair. Eren sat apart from the others, the fragments in his possession glowing faintly as he stared into the distance.
Kael broke the silence. "This wasn't just a raid. Malrik was looking for something."
Liora nodded, kneeling by a scorched piece of wood carved with faded runes. "These markings... they're ancient. Maybe this village was tied to the Diadem's history."
Eren finally spoke, his voice distant. "It doesn't matter. Whatever was here, it's gone now."
Kael's frustration boiled over. "How can you be so cold about this? These people were slaughtered!"
Eren looked at him, his eyes hard. "Because if we waste time mourning every loss, we'll never finish this mission."
The tension between them snapped like a taut string. Kael rose to his feet, his expression dark. "Is that what this is to you? A mission? What about the people who are still alive? Or does your precious fragment whisper that they don't matter either?"
Eren stood, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword. "Watch your mouth, Kael."
"Or what?" Kael shot back, stepping closer. "You'll prove me right and let that thing control you?"
Liora jumped between them, her hands outstretched. "Enough! Both of you!"
The two men glared at each other, their breaths heavy and their tempers flaring. Liora's voice softened, her tone pleading. "We can't do this. Not now. Not when we're so close."
Kael backed away reluctantly, his fists clenched. Eren turned his back to them and walked toward the edge of the camp, his shoulders tense.
---
A Dangerous Revelation
As night fell, the group huddled around a small fire. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional crackle of the flames.
Liora shifted uncomfortably, her gaze darting between Eren and Kael. "We need to talk about what's next. The fragments we've found... they're leading us somewhere, right?"
Eren nodded, his voice calm but detached. "The next fragment is in the Black Spire, past the Ashen Dunes. If we move quickly, we can reach it in three days."
Kael frowned. "The Black Spire? That's Malrik's territory. He'll have guards everywhere."
Eren smirked faintly, the first hint of emotion he'd shown all day. "Then we'll deal with them."
Kael sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You make it sound so simple."
"It is," Eren replied. "We have the fragments. We have the power."
Kael's frustration bubbled over. "And that's exactly what I'm afraid of! You're letting them control you, Eren. How long before they decide we're in your way too?"
Eren's eyes narrowed, the glow of the fragments reflecting in them. "I haven't turned on you yet, have I? Maybe you should trust me instead of questioning everything I do."
Kael rose to his feet, his voice low and dangerous. "Trust isn't given. It's earned. And right now, you're making it damn hard."
Before Eren could respond, Liora stood abruptly, her expression pained. "Stop it! Both of you, just stop!"
Her outburst silenced them, and for a moment, the only sound was the crackling fire.
"We're supposed to be a team," Liora said, her voice trembling. "If we fall apart now, Malrik wins. Is that what you want?"
Neither man responded. Eren turned away, his gaze fixed on the horizon, while Kael sat back down, his frustration simmering beneath the surface.
---
A Shadow in the Dark
As the camp settled into uneasy silence, Liora took the first watch. She perched on a crumbled stone wall, her bow resting across her knees. The ruins were eerily quiet, the shadows seeming to stretch and twist in the firelight.
She heard a faint sound behind her and turned, her bow already drawn. Eren stood there, his expression unreadable.
"You're quiet," he said softly, sitting on the wall beside her.
Liora relaxed her grip on the bow but didn't lower it completely. "Someone has to be, with you and Kael at each other's throats."
Eren chuckled bitterly. "He doesn't understand."
"Maybe not," Liora said carefully. "But he's not wrong to worry. The fragments... they're changing you, Eren."
Eren looked at her, his eyes softening slightly. "You think I don't know that? I feel it every day, Liora. The power, the whispers... they're always there."
"Then let us help you," she pleaded. "You don't have to bear this alone."
Eren's expression hardened. "Yes, I do. Because if I don't, Malrik will. And then none of this will matter."
Liora looked away, her heart heavy. "Just promise me you'll fight it. Don't let the fragments take you away from us."
Eren didn't answer. He stood and walked back to the fire, leaving Liora alone with her thoughts.
As she stared into the darkness, a shiver ran down her spine. The shadows seemed to shift unnaturally, and for a moment, she thought she saw a figure watching them from the ruins.
By the time she turned fully, it was gone.