The Azure Mountains
The cold night air hit Kael like a wave, but he welcomed it. The two of them stood on a rocky ledge overlooking the chasm. Behind them, the temple gave one final, deafening groan before collapsing entirely, sending up a plume of dust and debris.
They stood in silence for a moment, catching their breath.
"You did it," Mira said, her voice quiet but steady. "The Shard's gone."
Kael didn't respond immediately. His eyes were fixed on the ruins, his jaw tight. "I don't know if that's a victory," he muttered.
Mira frowned. "What do you mean? You destroyed it. You stopped the Iron Order from getting it."
Kael shook his head. "I destroyed a Shard. If this one existed, there could be others. The Iron Order won't stop. Ascaris may be gone, but someone else will take his place."
Mira's expression darkened. "If that's true, then we'll deal with it. Together."
Kael glanced at her, surprised. "Together?"
She smirked. "You think I'm letting you go off and do this alone? Someone has to keep you out of trouble."
A small, reluctant smile tugged at Kael's lips, but it faded quickly. "We have to move. The Iron Order won't stop looking for us."
Mira nodded, her expression serious once more. "There's a safe house not far from here. We can regroup there."
Kael adjusted the remnants of his gear and followed her as they descended the mountain, the shattered moonlight casting long shadows over the treacherous path.
Far from the Azure Mountains, in a dimly lit bunker deep beneath the surface, a hologram flickered to life. The image of General Ascaris appeared, his once-human form now a twisted amalgamation of flesh and energy. His voice crackled through the speakers, cold and menacing.
"They think they've won," Ascaris said, his eyes glowing with a sinister light. "But they've only delayed the inevitable."
Behind him, scientists worked frantically at consoles, their screens displaying maps of the world and readings of anomalous energy signatures.
"Begin Phase Two," Ascaris ordered. "The Shard of Ascension was only the beginning."
The hologram faded, leaving the room in darkness except for the faint glow of the monitors.
Kael and Mira traveled in silence for most of the night, the weight of what had happened hanging heavy between them. As dawn broke, they reached a small, abandoned outpost nestled in the foothills.
Mira led the way inside, checking for any signs of activity. Once she was satisfied it was safe, she motioned for Kael to follow.
"You should rest," she said, tossing him a canteen. "You're no good to anyone if you collapse."
Kael took a sip of water but didn't sit down. His mind was racing, images of the Shard and its devastating power flashing in his thoughts.
"Tell me about the Wardens," he said suddenly.
Mira raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because if there are more Shards out there, I need to know how to stop them. And it sounds like the Wardens knew more about them than anyone."
Mira hesitated, then nodded. "The Wardens were… are… a secretive order. We were trained to guard the Shards, to make sure they never fell into the wrong hands. But over time, our numbers dwindled. The Iron Order hunted us, and now…" She trailed off, her expression somber.
"How many are left?" Kael asked.
"Not enough," she admitted. "But there are safe houses, caches of information. If we can find them, we might be able to piece together where the other Shards are hidden."
Kael's jaw tightened. "Then that's where we start."
Mira studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. But we do it my way. No rushing in, no trying to handle everything yourself. You've seen what these things can do."
Kael smirked faintly. "And here I thought you were the reckless one."
"Not when it comes to this," she said seriously. "These Shards don't just destroy people—they corrupt them. If you're not careful, you'll end up just like Ascaris."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with warning. Kael didn't respond, but his silence said enough.
As the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, the two set out once more, the weight of their mission pressing heavily on their shoulders. Somewhere out there, other Shards waited, their power hidden but not forgotten.
Kael clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. The fight wasn't over. It was just beginning.