The trio trudged through the barren expanse of the Riftlands, their breaths visible in the frosty air. The Void crystal rested in Eziel's satchel, wrapped tightly in layers of enchanted cloth to suppress its lingering energy. The silence between them was heavy, the weight of their actions pressing down like the unyielding sky above.
"We can't go back to Arkasol just yet," Lysara said, breaking the silence. Her voice was steady, but her eyes betrayed her concern. "Not with this crystal. The council won't hesitate to take it from us."
"And what then?" Boran asked, his tone sharp. "We destroy it? Hide it? Pretend it never existed?"
Eziel stopped walking, turning to face them. "We figure out what it really is first. If Eryndor was right about one thing, it's that this crystal is more than just a weapon. There's something deeper going on."
Lysara nodded slowly. "I know someone who might be able to help. An old mentor of mine—Professor Marov. He's an expert in dimensional anomalies and Void phenomena. If anyone can make sense of this, it's him."
Boran grunted, hefting his axe. "Fine. But the moment this thing becomes a threat, we destroy it. Agreed?"
"Agreed," Eziel said, his voice firm.
---
The journey back to Arkasol was tense. The team avoided the main roads, skirting around patrols and checkpoints. The city's towering spires came into view as dusk settled, their familiar glow a stark contrast to the chaos they had just left behind.
Professor Marov's workshop was hidden in a secluded district, its entrance marked only by a faintly glowing sigil. Lysara led the way, tapping a specific sequence on the sigil. The door creaked open, revealing a cluttered room filled with arcane instruments and books piled high.
Marov looked up from his desk, his silver hair catching the light. "Lysara," he said, a smile breaking through his wrinkled features. "And you've brought... interesting company."
"We need your expertise," Lysara said without preamble, pulling the Void crystal from Eziel's satchel. The air in the room seemed to shift as Marov's eyes locked onto the artifact.
"Where did you find this?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"In the Riftlands," Eziel said. "And before you ask—yes, we know it's dangerous. That's why we're here."
Marov carefully took the crystal, placing it on a rune-inscribed pedestal. He muttered an incantation, and the crystal began to emit a soft, steady glow. His expression darkened as he studied it.
"This isn't just a Void artifact," he said after a long pause. "It's a conduit. A bridge between dimensions. Whoever created this intended to use it to anchor our world to the Void."
"And what happens if they succeed?" Boran asked, crossing his arms.
Marov's gaze was grave. "Reality would unravel. The Void's influence would seep into every corner of our world, warping it beyond recognition. Nothing would survive—not as we know it."
The room fell silent as the gravity of Marov's words sank in. Lysara broke the silence, her voice barely audible. "Can it be destroyed?"
Marov hesitated. "Not by conventional means. The crystal's core is intertwined with the Void's essence. Any attempt to destroy it could risk triggering the very catastrophe we're trying to prevent."
"Then what do we do?" Eziel asked, his frustration evident.
"There may be another way," Marov said, his tone cautious. "The Eternal Spire—the core of Arkasol's magical network. Its energy could theoretically neutralize the Void crystal, severing its connection without unleashing its power."
"Let me guess," Boran said dryly. "The council controls the Spire."
Marov nodded. "And they won't allow access without significant persuasion—or subterfuge."
---
The team spent the night in Marov's workshop, planning their next move. Lysara poured over maps of the Spire, marking potential entry points and routes. Boran sharpened his axe, muttering about the inevitability of a fight. Eziel stood by the window, staring out at the city he had fought so hard to protect.
"They'll call us traitors," Lysara said quietly, breaking his reverie. "If we go through with this."
"They already see us as expendable," Eziel replied. "At least this way, we're doing something that matters."
As dawn broke, the team gathered their supplies and prepared to leave. Marov handed Eziel a small, rune-inscribed device. "This will help you access the Spire's core," he said. "But be careful. The Spire's defenses are formidable."
Eziel nodded, tucking the device into his coat. "We'll see this through. No matter what."
The journey to the Spire was fraught with tension. The streets were alive with activity, guards patrolling in greater numbers than usual. News of Voidborn activity in the Riftlands had reached the city, and fear hung thick in the air.
At the base of the Spire, the team paused. Its silver surface gleamed in the sunlight, a symbol of Arkasol's strength and unity. But to Eziel, it felt more like a barrier—one they would have to break to save the city.
"Ready?" he asked, looking at his companions.
Boran grinned, hefting his axe. "Always."
Lysara tightened her grip on her staff. "Let's end this."
With that, they stepped into the shadows, ready to face whatever lay ahead.