The Heartstone pulsed faintly in Kael's palm, its energy warm yet oddly heavy, like holding a fragment of a star. He turned it over, marveling at the swirling light within. For a moment, it was almost hypnotic—its glow pulsed in time with his heartbeat, as if the artifact was alive.
"Now that you've passed the trial, the Heartstone is yours," Velis said, its pages fluttering faintly as if it were studying the artifact. "But don't let its beauty fool you. This is raw, ancient power. It doesn't care for you. It doesn't care for anyone."
Kael's brow furrowed. "You've mentioned a price before. What exactly am I risking by using it?"
Velis floated closer, its glow dimming. "The Heartstone will amplify your magic, allowing you to push past your limits. But raw power is a double-edged sword. Use it recklessly, and it could break you—or worse, consume you entirely."
Kael weighed the words carefully, his fingers tightening around the crystal. "And what do you suggest? Leave it here and walk away?"
"Hardly," Velis said with a dry laugh. "This relic is too valuable to abandon. But carrying it openly will make you a target, and even you can't fight off the entire Shattered Lands. There's a safer solution."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "And that would be?"
Velis's pages fluttered as if it were clearing its throat. "Store it within me. I am, after all, more than capable of containing its energy. That way, it will remain hidden from those who would steal it—and you won't risk accidentally unleashing its power."
Kael hesitated, glancing between the glowing Heartstone and the floating grimoire. "You're asking me to just hand it over?"
Velis chuckled. "I'm asking you to trust me. You've already done that once, and it saved your life. This is no different."
The weight of the Heartstone seemed heavier now, as if it understood the choice Kael was about to make. Finally, he nodded. "Fine. But if you try anything—"
"Please," Velis interrupted, its tone wry. "If I wanted to betray you, I wouldn't need an artifact to do it."
With a deep breath, Kael held the Heartstone out toward Velis. The book's cover glowed brighter, and its pages began to flip rapidly. The air around them grew heavy, charged with magic, as the Heartstone slowly rose from Kael's hand. It hovered in the air for a moment before dissolving into streams of light that vanished into Velis's pages.
When the glow faded, Velis floated quietly, its energy noticeably stronger. "There," it said. "Safe and sound. Now, let's hope you're as clever as you are impulsive. The Heartstone is your responsibility now—don't make me regret this."
Kael flexed his hand, feeling the absence of the artifact's weight. "Does this mean I can still use its power?"
"Of course," Velis replied. "When the time comes, you'll call on it through me. But be warned: the more you draw from it, the greater the cost. Moderation will serve you well."
Kael sighed, adjusting his satchel and sword as the tension in the air eased. "Nothing's ever simple with you, is it?"
Velis's pages rustled in amusement. "Simple is boring."
As they made their way out of the ruined plaza, Kael couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching. The silence of Tyrellos was unnerving, broken only by the faint echo of his boots on stone.
"You feel it too," Velis remarked, its tone more serious now.
Kael nodded, his hand instinctively falling to the hilt of his sword. "We're not alone."
The faint crunch of gravel behind them confirmed his suspicion. Kael spun around, drawing his blade in one swift motion. From the shadows, three figures emerged, their faces obscured by tattered cloaks. Each carried a weapon glinting faintly in the dim light, their movements deliberate and predatory.
"Relic hunters," Velis said softly, its glow dimming as if to make itself less conspicuous. "Persistent, aren't they?"
The leader, a tall man with a jagged scar across his face, stepped forward. He held a curved blade, its edge etched with faint runes that glowed faintly blue. "You've got something we want, boy," he said, his voice low and menacing. "Hand over the artifact, and maybe we'll let you leave with your life."
Kael tightened his grip on his sword, his rune beginning to glow faintly in response to his rising adrenaline. "There is no artifact," he said coldly.
The man's eyes narrowed. "Lies won't save you."
Kael glanced at Velis, who floated silently beside him. "They don't believe me."
"Of course they don't," Velis replied dryly. "Guess you'll just have to convince them the hard way."
The first hunter lunged, his blade slicing through the air. Kael sidestepped with ease, his enhanced speed making the attack seem almost sluggish. He darted forward, delivering a quick strike that knocked the man's weapon from his hand.
The remaining two hunters advanced, their movements more cautious but no less deadly. Kael teleported behind one, delivering a precise strike that sent him sprawling. The second managed to parry Kael's blade, but only for a moment. With a burst of speed, Kael disarmed him, his sword flashing in the faint light.
The leader hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he studied Kael. "You're no ordinary scavenger," he growled.
Kael leveled his blade at the man. "And you're outmatched. Walk away."
For a moment, it seemed the man might retreat. But then his expression twisted into a snarl, and he raised his rune-marked weapon. Before Kael could react, the man muttered an incantation, and his blade flared to life with blue energy.
"Of course," Kael muttered. "Nothing's ever easy."