Morning broke in a muted haze, the light filtering through the dense canopy outside the cabin's cracked windows. The fire in the hearth had long since died, leaving only glowing embers. Eryon sat near the ashes, staring at the shard in his hand. Its faint glow pulsed rhythmically, like a heartbeat, as if urging him forward.
The elderly man, who had introduced himself simply as Kael, moved with purpose around the small cabin. He placed bowls of steaming broth on the table, the aroma filling the space. Tia sat quietly, her hands clasped around her knees, still shaken by the events of the previous night.
"You'll need strength for the road ahead," Kael said, gesturing for them to eat.
Eryon took a tentative sip of the broth, its warmth spreading through him. "You said the shards hold the key to sealing the Void. How many are there?"
Kael leaned against his staff, his expression grim. "Twelve. Each shard represents one of the ancient elemental forces that govern balance in this world—fire, water, air, earth, light, shadow, and so on. When united, they form the Core of Aether, a relic powerful enough to restore the barrier that keeps the Void at bay."
Tia frowned. "But if they were so important, why were they scattered?"
Kael's eyes darkened. "Greed. Betrayal. The shards were once kept by the Twelve Empires, entrusted to their rulers as stewards of balance. But power corrupts. The Empires turned on each other, seeking to claim the shards for themselves. The war that followed nearly destroyed the world. To stop the bloodshed, the shards were hidden, scattered across the land."
Eryon tightened his grip on the shard. "And now the Void's forces are trying to collect them."
Kael nodded. "Indeed. The Void seeks to break free from its prison, and the shards are the key to both its release and its defeat. The one you carry is the Shard of Flame, an artifact tied to fire's primal essence. Its power will grow with you, but it will also draw the Void's agents like moths to a flame."
Eryon felt the weight of the shard in his hand. "So what do we do now?"
Kael straightened. "You must find the next shard. They are hidden in places of great elemental resonance, guarded by trials and ancient wards. The Shard of Flame is connected to its siblings—you'll feel the pull if you trust the bond."
Tia glanced at Eryon. "And where do we start?"
Kael turned to a cluttered shelf and retrieved a rolled map, its edges frayed with age. He spread it across the table, pointing to a location marked deep within a mountainous region.
"Mount Pyrelight," he said. "It's a dormant volcano said to house the Shard of Earth. But be warned: it's not just the Void you'll face. The remnants of the Twelve Empires have not forgotten the shards, and many still seek them for their own purposes."
Eryon nodded, determination settling over him like armor. "We'll find it. We have to."
Kael's gaze softened. "Your resolve will be tested, boy. The shards do not yield their power easily."
The journey to Mount Pyrelight began at dawn. Kael had given them supplies—a small satchel of food, a flask of water, and a dagger for Tia. The path ahead was fraught with danger, and though the old man offered what guidance he could, Eryon knew the burden of their mission rested squarely on his shoulders.
As they left the clearing and reentered the dense forest, the oppressive whispers from the night before seemed to have vanished. But the silence was no less unsettling. Every shadow felt like it was watching them, and every gust of wind carried the scent of foreboding.
"Do you think we'll find more of those creatures?" Tia asked, breaking the silence.
"Probably," Eryon admitted, glancing back at her. "But we'll be ready for them this time."
Tia nodded, gripping the dagger Kael had given her. Though fear lingered in her eyes, there was also a spark of determination.
The forest thinned as they traveled, giving way to rocky terrain and rolling hills. By midday, the towering peak of Mount Pyrelight loomed in the distance, its jagged silhouette cutting against the sky. Despite its dormant state, the air around it felt charged, as if the mountain held its breath.
Eryon felt the shard grow warmer in his pocket, its light faintly visible even through the fabric.
"We're getting closer," he said, his voice steady.
By the time they reached the base of the mountain, the sun was beginning to set. The climb ahead was steep and treacherous, the path winding through narrow ledges and crumbling rock.
"We'll need to camp here for the night," Eryon said, setting down his pack.
Tia nodded, visibly exhausted. As they prepared their small camp, the shard's glow intensified, casting flickering shadows against the rocks.
"That thing never stops, does it?" Tia said, watching the light.
"It's like it's alive," Eryon said. "Kael said its power will grow with me, but I don't know what that means."
Tia hesitated. "Do you think you'll be able to control it?"
Eryon stared at the shard, uncertainty gnawing at him. "I don't know. But I'll have to figure it out."
Night fell quickly, and with it came the cold. The mountain's winds howled through the cliffs, carrying an eerie melody that set Eryon's teeth on edge. He and Tia huddled close to the small fire they'd managed to start, its warmth barely holding back the chill.
As they sat in silence, a faint rumble echoed through the air. Eryon tensed, his hand moving instinctively to the shard.
"Did you hear that?" Tia whispered.
Before he could respond, the ground beneath them trembled. The fire flickered, and loose rocks tumbled down the slopes. A deep, guttural roar reverberated through the mountain, shaking Eryon to his core.
From the darkness above, a massive figure emerged. Its body was made of jagged stone, molten veins glowing like embers beneath its surface. Two glowing eyes fixed on them, radiating malice.
"A guardian," Eryon muttered, his voice barely audible.
The creature let out another roar, its massive arms smashing into the ground with enough force to send shockwaves through the earth.
"Run!" Eryon shouted, grabbing Tia's arm and pulling her away.
The guardian pursued them, its movements slow but deliberate. Each step sent tremors through the ground, and its molten veins cast an ominous light across the rocky terrain.
Eryon turned, raising the shard instinctively. Its light flared, and a stream of fire erupted from his hand, striking the guardian square in the chest. The creature staggered but quickly recovered, its molten veins glowing brighter as it roared in fury.
"It's feeding on the mountain's energy!" Tia shouted, her voice barely audible over the chaos.
Eryon gritted his teeth, focusing on the shard. He could feel its power coursing through him, wild and untamed. With another surge of effort, he unleashed a second blast of fire, this one more controlled. The flames struck the guardian's legs, forcing it to stumble.
"This way!" Tia called, pointing to a narrow crevice in the rock face.
They darted into the crevice, the guardian too large to follow. It let out a final, earth-shaking roar before retreating into the shadows.
Breathing heavily, Eryon and Tia collapsed against the rock wall.
"That was too close," Tia said, her voice trembling.
Eryon nodded, his chest heaving. "We're not done yet. The shard led us here for a reason. The trial's just beginning."