Ryan woke to the sound of faint knocking on his door. For a moment, he was disoriented, the lingering haze of sleep mixing with the vivid memories of their battles. He rubbed his eyes and sat up, his body still sore from the journey down the Shattered Peaks.
"Ryan?" Arya's voice came through the door, steady and firm. "Guildmaster wants to see us. Now."
Ryan swung his legs off the bed, the urgency in her tone cutting through his exhaustion. "I'll be ready in a minute."
He dressed quickly, strapping on his gear with practiced efficiency. By the time he stepped into the hallway, Arya and Grent were already waiting. Arya's expression was unreadable, but Grent's usual grin was absent, replaced by a rare seriousness.
"What's going on?" Ryan asked, falling into step beside them as they made their way to the guildhall.
Arya shook her head. "Not sure, but it's big. The guildmaster wouldn't call us like this unless it was urgent."
Grent grunted in agreement. "Probably about the Core. Those mages have been poking at it non-stop."
The guildhall was a stark contrast to the lively tavern they had left the night before. The atmosphere was tense, the air heavy with anticipation. As the trio entered the council chamber, the guildmaster and several high-ranking mages turned to greet them.
"Good, you're here," the guildmaster said, gesturing for them to approach the table. At its center was the sealed Core, its glow dim but steady. "We've made a breakthrough."
Arya crossed her arms. "What kind of breakthrough?"
One of the mages, a wiry man with silver hair, stepped forward. "We've uncovered fragments of information encoded within the Core's energy. It's ancient, far older than anything we've encountered before. But more importantly, it's a map."
"A map?" Ryan echoed, leaning closer.
The mage nodded, waving his hand over the Core. A projection flared to life above it, displaying a detailed map of the region. Points of light marked specific locations, each pulsing faintly.
"These points represent other Cores," the mage explained. "Their locations, their approximate energy signatures—it's all here. But there's more. This map isn't just for tracking the Cores. It's part of something larger."
Arya's eyes narrowed. "Larger how?"
The mage hesitated, exchanging a glance with the guildmaster. "We believe it's connected to a network—an ancient system designed by the Precursors. If reactivated, it could either stabilize the balance of this world... or destroy it."
Grent let out a low whistle. "No pressure, huh?"
Ryan's mind raced. "So what do we do? Destroy the Cores? Use them?"
"That's what we need to figure out," the guildmaster said. "Destroying them might stop the shadows, but it could also collapse the entire network. Using them could stabilize the world, but it would require complete control—and the risk of failure is high."
Arya frowned. "And if the shadows get to the Cores first?"
"Then it's over," the guildmaster said grimly. "Which is why we can't waste any time. You'll lead the effort to secure the next Core."
Ryan exchanged a glance with Arya and Grent. The weight of the mission was clear, but so was their resolve.
"Where's the next one?" Arya asked.
The mage pointed to a glowing point on the map, far to the south. "The Crimson Wastes. It's a harsh, desolate region, crawling with monsters and bandits. The Core there is emitting a stronger energy signature than the one in the Peaks. We suspect it will be heavily guarded."
Grent grinned, his confidence returning. "Sounds like my kind of place."
Arya nodded. "We'll need supplies and a plan. How long do we have?"
"Not long," the guildmaster said. "The energy spikes are growing. If the creatures in the Wastes detect it, they'll converge on it quickly."
The trio left the guildhall with a sense of urgency. The streets of Dawnstead were quieter now, the buzz of their return giving way to the calm before another storm.
"So, the Crimson Wastes," Ryan said, adjusting the strap of his pack. "What should I expect?"
Arya glanced at him. "Heat, sand, and things that want to kill you. It's not exactly a vacation spot."
Grent chuckled. "Stick close to us, kid. You'll be fine."
Despite their attempts at levity, Ryan couldn't shake the tension building in his chest. The stakes were rising, and the weight of the Core's secrets pressed heavily on his mind.