Exhausted and covered in dust, the group made camp a safe distance from the ruins. Liora held the second shard, its glow merging with the first.
"That's two," she said.
"But at what cost?" Elias muttered, rubbing his bruised arm.
Before anyone could reply, a shadow loomed over them. Raven stood on a nearby dune, his cloak billowing in the wind.
"Impressive," he said, his voice calm. "But you're only delaying the inevitable."
Darian stepped forward, sword drawn. "Come closer, and you won't be walking away."
Raven chuckled. "Always so hostile, Voss. Tell me, how does it feel to fail your comrades again?"
Darian's grip tightened, but he didn't move.
"You think you can stop me?" Raven continued, addressing Liora. "You don't even understand what you're dealing with. The Star isn't just power—it's destiny. And you can't fight destiny."
"Watch me," Liora said, her voice steady.
Raven's smile faded. "We'll see. Until next time."
He disappeared into the desert, leaving the group shaken but determined.
"We need to move faster," Liora said, clutching the shards.
"Agreed," Darian said, his eyes hard. "He's not playing games anymore."
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