Ethan's journey into the park felt different tonight. The familiar winding trails, usually lined with softly swaying trees and the distant hum of cicadas, now seemed foreign—ominous, even. The air carried a sharp chill, a strange contrast to the usual summer warmth. Shadows danced along the edges of his vision, moving in ways that felt deliberate, watching.
The faint glow of the Primordial Shard in his chest pulsed gently, as if responding to an unseen rhythm. Each pulse brought a slight tug, like a compass trying to guide him. He followed its pull deeper into the woods, his steps slower, more cautious, as the natural sounds around him faded.
Ethan stopped. Ahead, a clearing opened up, bathed in the silver light of the moon. At its center lay something unnatural: a stone monolith, jagged and towering, its surface etched with shifting symbols that seemed to ripple like water. It radiated an energy that felt familiar—like the Shard—but colder, more menacing.
"What is this place?" Ethan whispered, his voice swallowed by the oppressive stillness.
The Shard pulsed harder now, vibrating faintly against his ribs. Instinctively, Ethan reached out to the monolith, his hand stopping inches away as his mind screamed a warning.
"That's far enough."
The voice was calm but carried a weight of authority. Ethan spun around to see a figure stepping out of the shadows. It was a woman, tall and lean, wrapped in a cloak that shimmered faintly like starlight. Her eyes glowed faintly gold, contrasting sharply with her dark complexion.
"Who are you?" Ethan asked, taking a step back.
The woman raised a hand, her movements deliberate. "Someone who doesn't want to see you dead—yet. The Shard has chosen you, but you're a danger to yourself and everyone else unless you learn what you're dealing with."
Ethan frowned, his fists clenching as the Shard's energy stirred again. "Why should I trust you? I don't even know who or what you are."
The woman tilted her head slightly, an expression of mild amusement crossing her face. "Fair. My name is Kael Varis. I've been tracking the Shard for a long time, but it seems it had other plans." She gestured toward him. "You're carrying a piece of the universe's most dangerous artifact, and if you don't learn to control it, you'll end up destroying yourself—or worse, attracting things much deadlier than that seeker you faced last night."
Ethan's breath caught. "You… you saw that?"
Kael nodded. "I see more than you realize. That thing was a scout. There are others—stronger, faster, smarter—already on their way."
His mind raced, panic clawing at his thoughts. "What do they want? The Shard?"
"Yes," Kael replied, stepping closer. "But not for the reasons you might think. The Shard is more than just power—it's a key. A doorway to something ancient, something that was meant to stay buried. Its energy is like a beacon, and you're lighting up the galaxy for everyone to see."
Ethan's voice trembled. "So, what am I supposed to do? I didn't ask for this!"
Kael sighed, her expression softening slightly. "I know. But the Shard doesn't care what you want—it chose you, and now you're part of its game. The question is whether you'll play it or let it consume you."
Ethan looked at her, searching for any hint of deception. "If you've been tracking it, does that mean you can help me? Teach me?"
Kael smiled faintly. "I can try. But you'll need to trust me, and that's not something I can force."
The two of them stood in silence for a moment, the tension thick in the air. Finally, Ethan nodded. "Okay. Where do we start?"
Kael turned to the monolith. "Here. This isn't just a random artifact—it's a remnant. An anchor point for the Shard's power. If you can connect with it, it might give you the answers you're looking for."
Ethan hesitated. "And if it doesn't?"
Kael's golden eyes locked onto his. "Then we'll deal with whatever happens. Together."
Taking a deep breath, Ethan stepped toward the monolith again. The symbols on its surface seemed to shift, reacting to his presence. When he placed his hand on the cold stone, a surge of energy shot through him, and the world around him disappeared.
Ethan found himself floating in a vast, endless expanse of stars. The cosmos stretched out in every direction, breathtaking and terrifying in its scale. Within the void, a voice echoed—a deep, resonant tone that felt like it came from within him and everywhere else at once.
"Bearer of the Shard… you stand on the precipice of truth and annihilation."
Ethan swallowed hard. "What… what do you want from me?"
"You have been chosen not by chance, but by necessity. The Shard is both a gift and a curse. Through it, you will glimpse the fabric of existence—and the darkness that seeks to unravel it."
The stars shifted, forming shapes that told a story. He saw galaxies collapsing, devoured by an unseen force, and civilizations fighting a losing battle against an ancient, malevolent presence.
"What am I supposed to do against… that?" Ethan asked, his voice breaking.
The voice answered, calm but unyielding. "Survive. Learn. Adapt. The Shard's power is infinite, but only if you can wield it. Fail, and the void will claim not only you but all you hold dear."
The vision began to fade, and Ethan's consciousness snapped back to the clearing. He stumbled, gasping for air, as Kael caught him before he fell.
"What did you see?" she asked urgently.
Ethan looked up at her, his eyes wide with fear and determination. "A war. A darkness… coming for everything."
Kael's expression hardened. "Then we have no time to waste. Your training starts now."