Kael stumbled out of the ruined building, the shard still pulsing faintly in his hand. His breath came in ragged gasps as he scanned the desolate landscape. The shadow beast had vanished, but he didn't trust that it was gone for good.
The shard's light seemed to dim as he slipped it into his satchel. It felt strange against his skin—cold, yet alive, like a heartbeat echoing in his palm. He had no idea what he'd unleashed by taking it, but something deep inside told him he couldn't leave it behind.
He turned toward the distant outline of his village, perched precariously on the edge of the floating island. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the familiar chill of night began to creep in. Kael quickened his pace, the ruins casting long, sinister shadows that seemed to stretch toward him.
"You're going the wrong way."
The voice, calm and commanding, stopped Kael in his tracks. He spun around, dagger in hand, to find a figure standing atop a broken column. The stranger was cloaked in deep blue robes, the fabric embroidered with faintly glowing runes. A hood obscured their face, but their posture was relaxed, as if they had been waiting for him.
"Who are you?" Kael demanded, his voice sharp. "What do you want?"
The figure leapt gracefully from the column, landing silently a few paces from him. As they lowered their hood, Kael saw a woman with sharp, angular features and piercing emerald eyes that seemed to see straight through him.
"I'm Aelira," she said. "And I'm here because of that." She nodded toward his satchel.
Kael instinctively clutched the bag tighter. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Aelira arched an eyebrow. "The shard you found in the ruins. You have no idea what you've stumbled upon, do you?"
Kael hesitated. He didn't trust her, but there was something in her voice—an urgency that made him listen. "Maybe I do, maybe I don't. Why does it matter to you?"
"Because that shard is more than just a pretty trinket," Aelira said, stepping closer. "It's a fragment of the Heart of the Realm. And if you don't handle it carefully, it could destroy you—and everything around you."
Kael's grip on the satchel loosened slightly. "Destroy me? It saved me back there. A shadow beast nearly tore me apart, but the shard stopped it."
"Temporarily," Aelira said. "The shard's power is ancient and unpredictable. It reacts to your emotions, your will, but without control, it can consume you. That's why I'm here—to help you before it's too late."
Kael eyed her warily. "Why should I trust you? For all I know, you just want the shard for yourself."
Aelira sighed, her expression softening. "If I wanted to take it, I would have already. Believe me, I've seen what happens to people who try to wield its power without understanding it. I don't want that fate for you—or for anyone else."
Before Kael could respond, a low growl echoed through the ruins. His blood ran cold as he recognized the sound. The shadow beast was back, and this time, it wasn't alone.
From the darkness emerged two more creatures, their glowing eyes fixated on Kael and Aelira. Their forms shifted and flickered, as though made of smoke and nightmares.
"Stay behind me," Aelira commanded, her voice steady.
Kael hesitated, but the authority in her tone left no room for argument. He stepped back as Aelira raised her hands, chanting words he didn't understand. A circle of glowing runes appeared around her feet, and a wave of energy burst forth, illuminating the ruins.
The shadow beasts recoiled, their forms flickering as the light struck them. Aelira moved with practiced precision, weaving spells that forced the creatures back.
Kael watched in awe—and terror—as the battle unfolded. He had never seen magic like this, so controlled and powerful. Aelira's movements were fluid, her focus unshakable.
One of the beasts broke through the barrier, lunging at Kael. He barely had time to react, raising his dagger in a feeble attempt to defend himself. But before it could strike, Aelira unleashed a bolt of energy that sent the creature hurtling into the darkness.
"Run!" she shouted, but Kael found himself rooted to the spot.
The largest of the beasts charged toward Aelira, its claws swiping at her protective barrier. Her face strained with effort as she held it at bay, but Kael could see the toll it was taking on her.
For the first time in his life, Kael felt something other than fear in the face of danger. He felt anger—anger at the beasts, anger at himself for being powerless. The shard in his satchel seemed to pulse in response, its light growing stronger.
Without thinking, he reached for it. The moment his fingers touched the crystal, a surge of energy filled him once more. His vision blurred, and when it cleared, he was standing beside Aelira, his hand outstretched. A beam of light shot from the shard, striking the largest beast and disintegrating it in an instant.
The other creatures fled, their forms dissolving into the shadows. The ruins fell silent.
Aelira lowered her hands, breathing heavily. She turned to Kael, her eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and concern. "You… used the shard."
Kael nodded, his hand trembling as he held the crystal. "I didn't mean to. It just… happened."
Aelira studied him for a long moment before speaking. "You have potential, but you're reckless. If you're going to survive this, you need to learn control."
Kael met her gaze, the weight of her words sinking in. "And you're going to teach me?"
Aelira nodded. "If you'll let me."
For the first time, Kael felt a glimmer of hope. He didn't know what lay ahead, but he knew one thing: he couldn't face it alone.