The wind howled through the ruins of the once-great city of Mirathal, its mournful cry echoing across the jagged cliffs of the floating island. Kael Everwyn crouched low behind a crumbled pillar, his keen eyes scanning the rubble-strewn streets for any sign of danger. The sky above was an endless expanse of crimson and gold, the remnants of sunset painting the broken horizon in fiery hues.
Kael adjusted the straps of his tattered leather satchel, his heart pounding as he prepared to move. Scavenging was a dangerous business, especially in places as cursed as this. He gripped the hilt of his rusty dagger tightly, the blade little more than a relic itself, but it had saved his life more times than he could count.
"There's got to be something valuable here," he muttered under his breath. His voice sounded small against the vast emptiness of the ruins. He crept forward, his boots crunching softly against the cracked stones.
The ruins of Mirathal were a labyrinth of shattered towers and crumbling arches, remnants of a civilization long lost to the Shattering. Stories told of treasures hidden in the depths of such places—artifacts imbued with magic, remnants of the Heart of the Realm. But with those treasures came danger: traps, wild beasts, and worse.
As Kael turned a corner, he froze. A faint glow emanated from a partially collapsed building ahead. He narrowed his eyes, the glimmer sparking both curiosity and caution. Carefully, he approached, weaving through the debris.
Inside the building, the glow grew stronger, illuminating a strange, crystalline structure embedded in the ground. Kael's breath hitched. It wasn't just any crystal—it was a fragment of the Heart of the Realm. He had heard tales of these shards, their power unmatched and their origins shrouded in mystery.
Before he could react, a low growl rumbled behind him. Spinning on his heel, Kael came face to face with a shadow beast. The creature's eyes burned like embers, its sinewy form shrouded in shifting darkness.
Kael didn't wait for it to pounce. He darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the beast's razor-sharp claws. His dagger flashed, striking the creature's flank, but the blade skidded off as though striking solid stone.
"Great. Just my luck," Kael grunted, ducking under another swipe. He had faced shadow beasts before, but never this close to a shard. Its power seemed to have amplified the creature's strength and aggression.
Desperation fueled his movements as he scrambled toward the glowing shard. An idea formed in his mind—a reckless, probably suicidal idea. If the shard truly held magic, perhaps he could use it.
With a final burst of speed, Kael lunged for the shard. As his fingers brushed the cool surface, a surge of energy coursed through him. Images flashed in his mind: floating islands, a towering crystal castle, and a voice whispering his name.
The beast lunged at him, but this time, Kael raised his hand instinctively. A burst of light erupted from the shard, striking the creature and sending it howling into the shadows. Kael collapsed to his knees, his chest heaving.
As the light faded, he stared at the shard in awe. It pulsed faintly, as though alive, and he could feel its power thrumming in his veins. He didn't understand it, but one thing was clear: his life would never be the same.