The moonlight bathed the clearing in silvery light, illuminating the overgrown ruins of the shrine. The faint hum of magic lingered in the air, thrumming with anticipation. Lanterns enchanted with soft light spells flickered from branches and makeshift stands, casting long shadows over the crumbled columns and shattered carvings.
The group stood in a loose circle near the weathered dais where the faint remains of Aelon's statue still rested—a paw, carved from orange carnelian, streaked with moonstone. Though broken, it pulsed faintly in the night, as if aware of their presence.
Lera broke the silence, glancing between the adults and children. "If we're going to restore this shrine, we need to approach this carefully. Rushing in won't help us. Let's start by figuring out what needs to be done."
Darnell adjusted his sword at his hip, stepping into the lantern's glow. His sharp gaze swept over the ruins. "First thing's first—clear this place out. There's no point trying to restore anything if we can't see the ground we're working with."
"Agreed," Greaves said, his arms crossed. "If we clear the debris and overgrowth, we'll uncover more of the layout. That'll tell us what's missing."
"More than that," Lera added, her tone thoughtful. "We should focus on the carvings too. If we can piece them together, they might tell us what the shrine needs to be complete."
"I can define the boundary," Sam said, stepping forward. He knelt near the edge of the clearing, pressing his hand to the ground. "The structure extends further than we can see, but if I use earth magic, I can raise markers. That'll give us a clear space to work."
"That's a good idea," Lera said. She glanced at the children, her expression softening. "You'll stay with us while we work. This place is magical, but it's also unstable. We need to be careful."
Darnell's gaze flicked to the kids, his voice carrying a firm edge. "You heard her. No wandering off, no improvising. Stay close, and don't touch anything unless one of us says it's safe."
"What if we want to help?" Sparks asked, her coppery eyes gleaming with curiosity. "I mean, we're not useless."
"You can help," Darnell said, his tone softening. "But only where it's safe. Listen to the adults, and you'll be fine."
Greaves gestured to the heavy debris littering the clearing. "Sparks, Zara, Cross—you'll focus on the carvings with Lera. Ox, Alistair, and I will handle the larger rubble. Darnell, back me up on the heavier stuff."
Darnell nodded, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you don't throw your back out."
Lera clapped her hands lightly, her expression resolute. "Alright, let's get to work. If this place responds to our efforts, we'll know we're on the right track."
---
The group dispersed, lanterns in hand, their movements careful and deliberate. Sam knelt near the dais, pressing his palms to the ground. The earth trembled faintly beneath him, and lines of stone rose from the ground, snaking outward to form a clear boundary around the shrine's perimeter. The progress bar flickered in their vision, rising to 5%.
"It's working," Zara said softly, her golden eyes wide with wonder.
Sam stood, brushing dirt from his hands. "There's the boundary. Now we can see the whole picture."
"Well done," Darnell said, clapping him on the back. "That'll make this a lot easier."
The others began their tasks in earnest. Greaves and Darnell tackled the larger rubble, their combined strength cutting through the heavy debris that blocked key areas of the shrine. Alistair and Ox worked alongside them, moving smaller stones and clearing pathways.
"This place is bigger than I thought," Greaves said, wiping sweat from his brow. "The shrine extends further into the forest than it looks."
"That's why the boundaries were important," Sam said, leaning on a pillar for a moment. "We'd never have seen it otherwise."
Meanwhile, Lera led the children in sorting through the fragments of carvings. Sparks was quick to spot connections, her sharp eyes scanning the jagged pieces for matching edges. When she fit two fragments together, the stone glowed faintly, the carvings knitting themselves back into place.
"Did you see that?" Sparks asked, her voice tinged with excitement.
"It's responding," Lera said, kneeling beside her. "Keep going. If we can restore these inscriptions, they might guide us."
Zara and Cross worked diligently alongside Sparks, their careful hands piecing together more fragments. Each connection sent a faint pulse of magic through the air, and the progress bar in their vision ticked upward—10%, then 15%.
As the hours passed, the shrine slowly began to take shape. Sam's boundary lines revealed the true size of the structure, and the combined efforts of the group uncovered intricate carvings, weathered pillars, and hidden pathways. Every step nudged the progress bar higher—20%, then 30%.
Greaves and Darnell paused to catch their breath, leaning on their tools. "This place is ancient," Darnell said, his voice low. "Feels like it's been waiting for someone to come along."
Greaves nodded, glancing at the glowing carvings. "And now it's waking up."
By the time the progress bar reached 50%, the shrine was nearly unrecognizable. The overgrowth was cleared, the debris removed, and the restored carvings glowed faintly in the moonlight. The hum of magic had grown stronger, resonating through the clearing.
"This is incredible," Sparks said, holding up a particularly intricate fragment. "It's like the shrine is alive."
"Maybe it is," Lera said, her voice filled with quiet awe. "The magic here isn't like anything I've felt before."
---
The group gathered near the dais, their faces illuminated by the glowing carvings. The progress bar hovered at 97%, frozen just short of completion. A shimmering notification appeared before them, the words clear and unyielding:
---
To complete the restoration, rebuild the essence of Aelon.
---
The air around the shrine was thick with anticipation. The golden progress bar, hovering in their vision, pulsed faintly, stuck at 97%. The group stood in silence, catching their breath after hours of hard work. The moonlight filtering through the canopy and the soft glow of lanterns cast a mystical sheen over the repaired structure.
Sam broke the silence, brushing dirt from his hands. "Alright, so... 97%. The last 3% essence?"
Greaves leaned heavily on his staff, frowning at the projection. "We've rebuilt the columns, cleared the overgrowth, and reassembled most of the inscription carvings. What does it mean essence?"
Darnell surveyed the boundary Sam had created earlier, the faintly glowing line of earth magic tracing the shrine's edges. "It's the symbol of Aelon," he said, gesturing toward the paw-shaped remains of the statue in the center. "That's the only part we haven't touched."
Lera stepped forward, her gaze softening as it fell on the weathered paw. "It makes sense. Aelon is the god of bonds and reincarnation. This shrine represents him. Without his likeness, it isn't whole."
The group exchanged glances, the weight of the revelation settling over them. Zara, standing beside Lera, tilted her head. "So, we need to make a statue?"
"Looks like it," Sparks said, crossing her arms. "But how are we supposed to do that? We're not sculptors."
Sam stepped forward, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I can shape stone with my earth magic, but I'll need input. What exactly should this statue look like?"
"A cat," Alistair said suddenly, his voice steady. "The paw makes it obvious. Aelon's symbol is feline."
Ox frowned, his large hands resting on his hips. "A cat? Isn't that a bit... small for a god?"
Sparks smirked. "Size doesn't equal strength, big guy. Ever tried fighting a cornered cat?"
"No, and I don't plan to," Ox replied, shaking his head.
Lera held up a hand to calm them. "A simple cat, regal but unassuming. It fits Aelon's domain. He's about connection and renewal, not dominance."
Sam nodded slowly, already forming an image in his mind. "Alright. I can work with that. Darnell, Greaves, I'll need your help with fine details. Lera, you keep the kids organized."
"Me? Organized?" Lera asked with a faint smile, gesturing toward the five-year-olds. "They're the ones already keeping us on task."
The children chuckled softly, but their gazes lingered on the shrine, a quiet seriousness settling over them. Alistair stepped closer to Zara, his tone quiet but firm. "We'll help where we can, Miss Lera."
Zara nodded, her golden eyes shimmering in the lantern light. "We can carry pieces if you need us to."
"Careful ones, anyway," Sparks added, glancing at her delicate hands.
Greaves clapped his hands together, his tone brisk. "Enough talk. Let's get to it before the moon sets."
Sam began by clearing debris from around the pedestal where Aelon's likeness once stood. He raised his hands, a faint green glow emanating from his fingertips as he manipulated the earth and stone. The shattered remains of the statue's base began to shift and reform, smoothing into a stable foundation.
"Darnell," Sam called, "help me carve out the details on the face."
Darnell stepped forward, drawing a short blade from his belt. "Details, huh? You better hope my work's up to divine standards."
"It will be," Sam replied confidently. "You've got a steady hand."
Greaves worked alongside them, using frost magic to harden the edges of the stone where finer cuts were needed. The statue slowly took shape under their combined efforts—a sitting cat with sleek lines and an air of quiet strength. Its head tilted slightly upward, as if gazing at the stars.
Lera supervised from a short distance, her voice a steady presence as she encouraged the children to gather small stones for the base. Sparks helped arrange them in neat patterns, her precision shining through in even the smallest tasks.
Zara, who had been quiet for most of the process, suddenly stepped forward. She knelt by the base of the statue, her hands trembling slightly as she placed a smooth, white stone at the front. "For Aelon," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
As the final touches were added, the statue began to glow faintly. A soft hum filled the air, and the golden progress bar in their vision inched forward.
98%... 99%... 100%.
The moment the bar filled, the ground beneath the shrine trembled. A bright light engulfed the statue, illuminating the grove as if it were midday. The pedestal shimmered, and five glowing orbs of light rose into the air before slowly descending onto the dais.
The light dimmed, revealing five eggs, each unique in color and pattern. The children stared, mesmerized, as the eggs pulsed softly, their warmth almost tangible.
"What... what are those?" Alistair asked, his voice hushed.
"Your reward," Lera said, her voice trembling with awe. "Aelon's blessing."
The children approached the dais, drawn instinctively to their respective eggs. Alistair's hand hovered over a deep golden egg with faint silver markings. Sparks reached for an egg that shimmered with electric blue streaks. Ox's was dark and rugged, its surface veined with crimson. Cross's egg gleamed with tawny and amber hues, while Zara's was pale pink with soft lavender swirls.
As each child touched their egg, a surge of warmth rushed through them. Their vision blurred, and suddenly, they were no longer in the grove.
They stood together in Aelon's chamber once more. The memories came in flashes—the final mission, the firefight, and the desperate retreat into the void. Then, the moment they had first arrived in this ethereal place, their souls unmoored yet drawn to Aelon's presence.
"You have found each other again," the voice of Aelon echoed, soft yet commanding. "Your bond transcends lifetimes. Remember who you were, and grow into who you are meant to be."
The vision faded, leaving the children back in the grove, their hands still resting on their eggs. They exchanged wide-eyed looks, realization dawning on their faces.
Before anyone could respond, another soft chime echoed in their minds. A notification appeared before each adult, granting them a gift from Aelon:
----------
Quest Complete
Reward Granted: 10 Attribute Points, 2 Skill Points, New Ability Unlocked.
----------
Greaves blinked as a rush of energy filled him. The notification displayed his new ability:
Frozen Accord - Summon a defensive barrier of frost, binding enemies who breach it.
Sam's ability appeared next:
Earthen Aegis – Create a protective dome of stone, shielding allies within.
Darnell's was simpler but no less potent:
Marked Vigil – Enhance perception and reflexes, allowing near-instantaneous responses to threats.
Lera gasped softly as her ability manifested: Ethereal Link – Establish a temporary bond between allies, sharing strength and focus.
The adults exchanged glances, their awe mirrored in each other's
----------
The children stood in a circle around the glowing eggs, their faces pale with shock but their eyes brimming with newfound clarity. Each of them clutched their egg protectively, the warmth radiating from the shells grounding them after the vivid, disorienting fragments of memory.
Lera stepped forward, her voice soft but insistent. "What just happened? What did you see?"
Alistair exchanged a glance with the others before stepping forward. His grip tightened on the egg, and he took a steadying breath. "We remember. Pieces of… another life."
The adults exchanged confused glances. Sparks, her usual bravado stripped away, spoke up. "It's not just this life. Before this—before this world—we were a team. We worked together, fought together… and died together."
Zara stepped forward, her golden eyes brimming with an uncharacteristic intensity. "It wasn't just a team. It was a bond. We trusted each other with everything. And we lost everything—" Her voice caught, and she glanced away, her hands trembling slightly around the egg.
"Zara…" Lera said softly, her brows furrowing as she stepped closer.
"I can still feel it," Zara continued, her voice shaking. "The fear. The pain. Watching all of you fall one by one… It was unbearable." She pressed her hands to her temples, her foxlike ears flattening. "But at the same time, I remember the way we fought together. The way we never gave up, even when we knew it was the end."
Ox placed a massive hand on her shoulder, his usual jovial expression replaced with quiet sympathy. "You weren't alone then, and you're not alone now."
Zara looked up at him, her eyes glassy but filled with determination. "I know. And that's why this matters. Aelon brought us back. He gave us another chance, and we can't waste it."
Her words hung in the air, heavy and raw. Lera's hand tightened over her chest, her expression softening as she watched Zara's composure waver but not break. Sparks reached out, her fingers brushing Zara's arm in silent reassurance.
Cross's voice was calm but carried a sharper edge than usual. "She's right. This isn't random. We were bonded then, and we're bonded now. Whatever Aelon wants from us, we're here because we were meant to be."
Zara looked down at the egg in her hands, her expression softening as tears welled in her eyes. "I don't understand why it still hurts so much," she said, her voice trembling. "It's like I've been carrying the weight of that life all this time without even knowing it. And now it's here. It's real."
Lera crouched down in front of her, placing a gentle hand on Zara's cheek. "Because you cared. Bonds like the ones you're describing—they leave marks. Even when we can't see them, they shape us."
Zara leaned into Lera's touch, her tears falling freely now. "I don't want to lose them again. Not ever."
"You won't," Lera said firmly, her voice filled with quiet conviction. "You have each other. And you have us. We're not going anywhere."
Zara nodded slowly, her trembling hands tightening around the egg as she took a deep breath. The warmth from the shell spread through her, calming the storm inside. But as her resolve solidified, a strange vibration coursed through the egg. She gasped, pulling it closer.
The faint glow emanating from the egg intensified, the light pulsing in rhythm with Zara's heartbeat. Cracks began to form along the surface, spreading outward like delicate veins of lightning. The room fell silent, all eyes locked on Zara and the trembling egg in her arms.
"Zara," Sparks whispered, her voice tinged with awe. "I think it's… hatching."
Zara's breath caught as a soft chirping sound emerged from within the egg. The cracks widened, and with one final pulse of light, the shell shattered in a burst of warmth. The room was momentarily bathed in golden radiance, and when the glow faded, a small, delicate creature rested in Zara's arms.
It was the Bonolotl, its smooth, pale pink skin shimmering faintly under the lantern light. Frilly, glowing axolotl-like gills extended from either side of its head, and its large lavender eyes gazed up at Zara with an expression of pure adoration. Its slender limbs and webbed fingers rested lightly against Zara's chest as it chirped again, the sound soft and melodic.
Zara's eyes widened, and for a moment, her tears of sorrow turned to tears of joy. "You're… mine," she whispered, cradling the creature close. The Bonolotl nuzzled against her, its warm, calming aura washing over her like a soothing wave.
The others stared in stunned silence, the weight of the moment settling over them. Finally, Sparks broke the quiet, her voice tinged with a mix of amazement and envy. "Okay, that's not fair. Why does Zara get hers first?"
Ox grinned, his usual humor returning. "Maybe she's just better at bonding."
Zara managed a soft laugh, stroking the Bonolotl's head. "I don't know why it chose me, but…" She glanced at the others, her resolve stronger than ever. "It feels right. Like it was always meant to be."
As Zara held the Bonolotl, a soft chime echoed through the room, and translucent panels appeared before the children once more.
----------
New Ability Unlocked: Telepathy
Speak mind-to-mind with those in your bond.
----------
The children stared at the notifications, their surprise quickly replaced by curiosity. Sparks tested it immediately. "Okay, can everyone hear me? Testing, testing."
Ox's mental voice rumbled through their minds, laced with amusement. "Loud and clear, Sparks. Guess we can't escape your running commentary now."
Zara's mental voice was quieter but steady. "It's… comforting. Like we're more connected now."
Cross's voice was sharp and concise as always. "This will be useful. Especially in a fight."
Alistair's voice cut through, calm and commanding. "Focus. This isn't just a skill—it's part of who we are. Aelon's preparing us for something, and we need to be ready."
The adults exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unable to hear the telepathic exchange but sensing its significance. Lera's gaze lingered on Zara, who now stood taller, her Bonolotl perched on her shoulder like a guardian spirit.
"Zara," Lera said softly, her voice filled with pride. "Whatever this is, you've already proven you're ready for it."