The stars glittered faintly above the forest canopy as Eryon and Tia trudged back into the wilderness. The oppressive heat of the mountain cavern had been replaced by the cool night air, but the weight of the Shards in their hands was a constant reminder of what lay ahead.
"Do you think we'll face something worse next time?" Tia asked, her voice low as they walked.
Eryon glanced at her, noting the exhaustion etched on her face. "I don't know," he admitted, gripping the Shard of Flame tightly. "But we don't have a choice. We need to keep moving."
Tia fell silent, her gaze flickering to the Shard of Earth she now carried. Its emerald glow seemed to pulse faintly in rhythm with her heartbeat, as though it were alive. She shivered at the thought.
The forest grew denser as they ventured deeper, the towering trees casting long shadows that seemed to stretch endlessly. Every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs put Eryon on edge. He could feel it again—that unsettling sensation of being watched.
"Tia," he said softly, his eyes scanning the darkness. "Stay close."
"I don't like this," she whispered, tightening her grip on her dagger.
Neither of them noticed the figure lurking just beyond the edge of their vision.
They reached a small clearing and decided to rest. Eryon set the Shard of Flame down beside him, its glow providing a faint source of light. Tia leaned against a tree, her legs pulled to her chest as she tried to steady her breathing.
"We need a plan," Eryon said, breaking the silence. "The next shard won't be any easier to find, and we don't even know where to look."
"Kael might," Tia said, her voice hesitant.
Eryon frowned. "If he's still alive. We've been separated from him since Eldenridge."
Tia hugged her knees tighter. "Do you think he's okay?"
Eryon didn't answer immediately. The image of Kael fighting off the shadowy figures that had attacked their village flashed in his mind. "If anyone can survive, it's him," he said finally.
As if summoned by their conversation, a soft rustle came from the edge of the clearing. Both of them tensed, their hands darting to their weapons.
"Who's there?" Eryon called out, his voice steady despite the unease gnawing at him.
A figure stepped into the light, and Eryon's grip on his sword tightened. It was a woman, her features partially obscured by a dark hood. She moved with a fluid grace, her eyes gleaming like molten gold in the faint light of the shards.
"Relax," she said, her voice smooth and melodic. "If I wanted you dead, you'd already be."
"Who are you?" Eryon demanded, not lowering his weapon.
The woman smirked, lowering her hood to reveal sharp features framed by dark, wavy hair. "My name is Lysara. Let's just say I'm… interested in your little quest."
"Interested?" Tia echoed, rising to her feet. "What do you mean?"
Lysara gestured toward the shards they carried. "Those are no ordinary trinkets you've found. They're dangerous, and they've already painted targets on your backs. You'll need help if you want to survive."
Eryon narrowed his eyes. "And you're offering to help us out of the kindness of your heart?"
Lysara laughed, a sound that was both genuine and unsettling. "Hardly. But our goals might align, at least for now. I know more about the shards than you do, and I can help you find the others."
Tia looked to Eryon, uncertainty written all over her face. "Can we trust her?"
"I don't know," Eryon admitted, his gaze never leaving Lysara. "How do we know you're not leading us into a trap?"
"You don't," Lysara said simply. "But you don't have many options, do you? The Void's forces are already hunting you. If you don't accept my help, you'll be dead before you find the next shard."
Eryon hesitated. Her words rang true, and he couldn't deny that they were out of their depth. But trusting a stranger wasn't a risk he wanted to take lightly.
"Why don't you start by proving yourself?" he said finally. "Tell us what you know about the shards."
Lysara smiled, her golden eyes gleaming. "Fair enough. The shards aren't just ancient relics—they're fragments of a much greater power. Together, they can either seal the Void or tear this world apart. The guardians you've faced are bound to the shards, tasked with protecting them from falling into the wrong hands. And now that you have two of them, the Void won't stop until it has them."
Eryon exchanged a glance with Tia. "Why are you helping us, really?"
Lysara's expression darkened, her playful demeanor fading. "Let's just say I have my own reasons for wanting to keep the Void at bay. And as much as it pains me to admit it, you might be this world's best chance."
Eryon studied her for a moment before finally lowering his sword. "Fine. But if you betray us—"
"You'll kill me. I know," Lysara interrupted, her smirk returning. "Now, shall we get moving? Staying in one place for too long is a good way to get killed."
With Lysara leading the way, they continued deeper into the forest. Eryon remained on edge, his hand never straying far from his sword. Tia walked close to him, her eyes darting nervously between the shadows.
"Where are we going?" Eryon asked after a while.
"There's a place not far from here," Lysara said. "A sanctuary of sorts. It'll give us some time to regroup and plan our next move."
"What kind of sanctuary?" Tia asked, suspicion lacing her tone.
Lysara glanced back at them, her expression unreadable. "One that's hidden from the Void's gaze. For now, that's all you need to know."
Eryon clenched his jaw but said nothing.
They reached the sanctuary just before dawn. It was a small, secluded glade surrounded by towering trees. A faint, shimmering barrier enclosed the area, giving it an ethereal quality.
"What is this place?" Tia asked, stepping cautiously through the barrier.
"A remnant of the old world," Lysara said. "The Void can't touch it, but it won't hold forever. We need to move quickly."
As they settled in, Eryon couldn't shake the feeling that Lysara was hiding something. But for now, they had no choice but to trust her. The shards they carried were only the beginning, and the true battle against the Void was just beginning to unfold.