**
The moment Ethan's fingers made contact with the shard, an explosion of light erupted around him. It was so bright, so overwhelming, that for a split second, he thought his very being might disintegrate under its intensity. The light surged through his body, forcing him to his knees as every fiber of his being screamed in agony.
For a moment, he thought he would die. And then, just as suddenly, the light faded, leaving him in a suffocating silence.
His breath came in ragged gasps, his heart pounding as though it were trying to escape from his chest. But the pain wasn't physical—at least, not entirely. It was as though the very fabric of his mind had been torn open, exposing every hidden corner, every buried memory. The Shards had shown him something, something deep within himself that he couldn't yet understand.
Around him, the temple seemed to pulse with energy, the walls vibrating as though the entire structure was alive. Kiera and Ivan stood frozen, eyes wide with a mix of awe and fear, their gazes locked on him. They hadn't moved, but it was clear that they had felt the power as well.
"What's happening?" Kiera's voice was barely a whisper, as though speaking too loudly might shatter the fragile stillness.
"I don't know," Ethan gasped, trying to regain control of his body. "It's... it's in my head. The Shard... it's showing me something."
The ground beneath them trembled, and the altar before him began to glow brighter, the shard at its center radiating an otherworldly energy. The air grew colder, thicker, and the shadows in the corners of the temple seemed to stretch toward them, as if alive.
And then, a figure emerged from the shadows.
Ethan's heart skipped a beat as the figure stepped forward, cloaked in a flowing dark robe, their face obscured by a hood. But even in the darkness, there was something familiar about them—a presence that felt both welcoming and terrifying.
The figure raised their hand, and the air around them crackled with power. The Shard at the altar pulsed in response, sending waves of energy cascading through the room. Ethan's vision blurred, and he struggled to stand, his legs weak beneath him.
"Ethan," the figure's voice rang out, low and resonant, "you've come far. Too far, perhaps. But the question remains—are you ready to face the truth?"
The words seemed to hang in the air, thick with meaning, and Ethan found himself unable to speak. He wasn't sure what was happening, but he could feel the gravity of the moment. The Shards had led him here, to this temple, to this figure. But why? What did they want from him?
"Who are you?" he managed to rasp, his voice barely audible. "What do you want from me?"
The figure tilted their head slightly, as if considering the question. Then, with a slow and deliberate movement, they pulled back the hood, revealing a face Ethan instantly recognized.
Lyra.
His breath caught in his throat as he stumbled back, his mind struggling to comprehend the sight before him. Lyra—his ally, his guide, the one who had warned him time and time again—stood before him, her eyes glowing with an eerie light.
"You…" Ethan's voice faltered. "But… why?"
Lyra's lips curled into a sad smile. "I'm not who you think I am, Ethan. I never was."
The words hit him like a physical blow, and for a moment, his world seemed to crumble around him. Everything he had believed in—every step he had taken, every choice he had made—felt like a lie.
"You've been leading me here," he whispered, almost to himself. "All this time…"
"Yes," Lyra replied softly. "But not in the way you think. The Shards… they are not just an object of power. They are a part of a much larger design—a design that I was bound to follow."
Ethan's mind raced as the pieces began to fall into place, but they didn't make sense. "What do you mean? How could you—why would you—"
"Because," Lyra interrupted, her voice firm now, "I was sent to guide you, Ethan. To ensure you reached this point, where you would come face to face with the Shards' true power. You were never meant to walk away from this. None of us were."
Ivan and Kiera stood silent, their faces a mixture of confusion and fear. They had no idea what was happening, but the tension in the air was palpable, as if the very fabric of reality was on the verge of tearing apart.
Ethan felt a surge of anger rise within him. "You used me."
"No," Lyra said quietly. "I helped you. I couldn't let you stop until you understood. You were always meant to be a part of this, Ethan. You were never just an observer. You were always going to be the one to choose how it ends."
The Shard at the altar pulsed again, and Ethan could feel its energy coursing through the air. It was as if it were calling to him, urging him to make a decision, to act. But what decision could he possibly make? Was this truly his destiny? Had he been manipulated all along?
"You knew all along, didn't you?" Ethan asked, his voice a mix of betrayal and disbelief. "That I would be the one to wield the Shards' power."
Lyra's gaze softened, her expression almost sympathetic. "I didn't know what you would choose. But I knew you would make the choice. And that choice is what will determine the fate of everything. The Shards are not just a weapon, Ethan. They are a catalyst for something far more dangerous—a force that could either destroy or save everything we know."
Ethan's mind reeled, struggling to make sense of the magnitude of what Lyra was saying. The Shards… they weren't just pieces of power. They were part of a larger, more dangerous force. And Ethan was right in the center of it all, holding the key to everything.
"Now," Lyra said, her tone shifting to something darker, more urgent, "it's time for you to decide. The fate of everything rests in your hands. Will you embrace the power of the Shards, or will you destroy them—and everything they represent?"
The room seemed to pulse with energy as Ethan stood there, torn between the weight of his choices. He could feel the Shards calling to him, urging him to take control. But the cost of such power… would it be worth the price?
He took a step forward, his heart pounding in his chest. The Shards wanted him. But did he want them?
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