The group trudged through the Wraithlands in tense silence, the jagged shard now embedded in the amulet hanging around Aedric's neck. Its dark energy clashed with the amulet's original light, creating a flickering glow that pulsed unevenly.
"Is it supposed to do that?" Mara asked, nodding toward the amulet as she sheathed her sword.
"No," Seron replied, his brow furrowed. "The shard's power is unstable, but it will settle once it fully integrates with the Seal."
Aedric frowned. "And how long will that take?"
Seron's silence was answer enough.
They pressed on, the oppressive air of the Wraithlands gradually lifting as they approached the border. The jagged terrain gave way to sparse, lifeless plains, and the faint whispers that had haunted them since entering the cursed land began to fade.
As the first hints of sunlight broke through the haze, Aedric felt an overwhelming sense of relief. But it was short-lived.
"You're trembling," Mara said, her sharp eyes catching the slight shake in Aedric's hands.
"I'm fine," Aedric muttered, though he could feel the shard's weight pressing against him, heavier than it had been moments ago.
"Stop saying that when it's obvious you're not," she snapped. "If this thing is hurting you—"
"It's not hurting me!" Aedric's voice rose louder than he intended, his frustration spilling over. Mara blinked, startled by the outburst.
Seron intervened, his voice calm but firm. "The shard's influence is strong. It will test you, push you to your limits. But you must resist its pull, Aedric. The Shadows thrive on anger and despair."
Aedric exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"
"It's fine," Mara said, her tone softer now. "Just don't shut us out. We're in this together, remember?"
He nodded, grateful for her understanding. But deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that the shard was already taking its toll.
By nightfall, they had made camp at the edge of a dense forest, its towering trees casting long shadows in the fading light. The fire crackled softly as Seron prepared a simple meal from their dwindling supplies.
"This forest," Seron said, glancing into the darkness beyond the firelight. "It's called the Blackbriar Thicket. A dangerous place, but we have no choice but to pass through. It's the fastest way to our next destination."
"And where is that, exactly?" Mara asked, sharpening her blade.
"An ancient monastery," Seron replied. "It was once a sanctuary for the Guardians. The final piece of the Seal lies hidden there."
"Great," Mara said dryly. "Another cursed place to add to the list."
Aedric sat apart from them, staring into the fire. The shard's whispers had returned, faint but insistent. They weren't words this time, but feelings—anger, doubt, and an overwhelming sense of dread.
As he closed his eyes, images flashed in his mind: the Shadows overtaking Emberfall, his friends and family consumed by darkness, and himself standing alone, powerless to stop it.
"Aedric?" Mara's voice broke through the vision, and he blinked, realizing she was kneeling beside him.
"Sorry," he said, shaking his head. "I was... distracted."
She studied him for a moment, then placed a hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to carry this alone, you know."
"I don't have a choice," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
Mara frowned but didn't push further. "Get some rest. We've got a long journey ahead."
That night, Aedric's dreams were anything but restful.
He stood in a dark void, the amulet glowing faintly at his chest. Shadows swirled around him, their voices echoing in his ears.
"Why fight it?" one voice hissed.
"You'll fail, just like the others," another taunted.
From the darkness emerged a figure—a mirror image of himself, but twisted. Its eyes burned with the same fiery glow as the Wraithlord's, and its voice dripped with malice.
"You can't protect them," the doppelgänger said. "You'll only bring ruin."
Aedric clenched his fists, his breath ragged. "You're wrong. I won't let that happen."
The figure laughed, a hollow, chilling sound. "We'll see."
It lunged at him, and Aedric woke with a start, his heart pounding. The fire had died down to embers, and the forest was eerily silent. He glanced at the amulet, its glow faint but steady.
He wasn't sure how much more he could take, but he knew there was no turning back.