The lights of Arkasol flickered like a sea of stars as Eziel and Boran made their way back into the city. The Riftspire Forest's oppressive darkness seemed to cling to them, a phantom shadow that neither could shake. Yet, the glimmering skyline offered a fleeting comfort, a reminder that they were no longer alone in the wilderness.
"Do you think Lysara will have answers?" Boran asked, breaking the silence.
Eziel glanced at him, his features partially obscured by the glow of streetlights. "If anyone knows what the Riftcore really is, it's her. But I wouldn't count on her sharing everything upfront."
Boran grunted, hefting his axe onto his shoulder. "I don't trust her magic, but I trust her instincts. She hasn't led us astray—yet."
As they turned onto a quieter street, the Eternal Spire came into view, its silver facade gleaming under the moonlight. It loomed above Arkasol like a guardian, its ever-present glow a stark reminder of the city's dependence on magic. But for Eziel, the Spire represented something else entirely: secrets.
They entered the sprawling plaza that surrounded the base of the Spire. At this late hour, the area was nearly deserted, save for a few robed figures milling about. These were the Sentinels, the Spire's guardians, who patrolled the grounds with an unwavering vigilance. Eziel and Boran moved cautiously, keeping to the shadows until they reached a small, inconspicuous side door.
Eziel tapped a sequence on the metal panel beside the door. A soft chime acknowledged the input, and the door slid open. The two slipped inside, finding themselves in a narrow corridor illuminated by faintly glowing sigils. The air here was cooler, tinged with the hum of magical energy.
"This way," Eziel said, leading Boran down the corridor. Their destination was one of the Spire's lower chambers, a place few knew existed and even fewer dared to enter.
The chamber was circular, its walls covered in intricate runes that pulsed with a gentle light. At the center stood Lysara, her figure draped in flowing robes adorned with silver thread. She was hunched over a massive tome, her eyes scanning the pages with an intensity that suggested she was searching for something specific.
"You're late," she said without looking up, her voice sharp but devoid of anger.
"We had a little detour," Eziel replied, pulling the Riftcore from his coat and holding it up. The artifact's faint glow reflected in Lysara's eyes as she finally turned to face them.
"So, you found it," she said, her tone unreadable. She extended a hand, and Eziel hesitated for a moment before handing over the artifact.
As soon as it touched her palm, the Riftcore flared brighter, its runes flickering as if reacting to her presence. Lysara's expression remained impassive, but Eziel noticed the faintest hint of a smirk at the corner of her lips.
"This is more potent than I expected," she murmured, turning the artifact over in her hands. "And it's damaged—probably from prolonged exposure to the Riftspire Forest. That complicates things."
"Complicates what?" Boran asked, his voice tinged with impatience.
Lysara placed the Riftcore on a pedestal at the center of the chamber, stepping back as a series of runes ignited on the floor. "The Riftcore is a key—a fragment of something much larger. If we can stabilize it, we might be able to trace its origin, perhaps even close some of the dimensional rifts that plague our world."
"And if we can't?" Eziel asked.
Lysara's gaze darkened. "Then the Voidborn will grow stronger, and Arkasol won't stand a chance."
The room fell silent, the weight of her words sinking in. Boran tightened his grip on his axe, his jaw clenched. Eziel, however, focused on the Riftcore, its faint glow pulsing in rhythm with the runes on the pedestal.
"What do you need from us?" he asked finally.
"Time," Lysara said. "And protection. The process of stabilizing the Riftcore will draw attention—unwanted attention. The kind that doesn't stop at the Spire's walls."
Eziel nodded, already feeling the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. "We'll handle it."
Boran shot him a skeptical glance but didn't object. Lysara, for her part, seemed satisfied with his answer. She turned back to the tome, her fingers tracing the runes as she began to mutter incantations under her breath.
As the air in the chamber grew heavier with magical energy, Eziel and Boran moved to the entrance, their weapons at the ready. The Spire was quiet now, but they both knew that peace wouldn't last. The Riftcore's presence was like a beacon, calling out to forces both known and unknown.
For a moment, Eziel's thoughts drifted to the stories of the Voidheart. Was this artifact truly a piece of that legendary relic? And if so, what would happen if it fell into the wrong hands?
The faint sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor, snapping him back to the present. He exchanged a glance with Boran, who nodded grimly. Whatever came next, they would face it together.
In the shadows of the Eternal Spire, a storm was brewing, and Eziel knew they were standing at its center.