Kael's blade struck the glowing anchor, a burst of energy exploding outward.
The water guardian let out a deafening roar, its towering form rippling as cracks appeared in its liquid core.
Mareth stumbled back, shielding his face from the shockwave. "What did you do, Kael?"
"Disrupted its link to the anchor," Kael replied, panting. "It's unstable now."
The guardian thrashed wildly, the water around it turning into violent waves.
Kael lunged forward, sword aimed at the glowing core still faintly pulsing within the creature.
Mareth flanked the guardian, his blade slicing through its watery limbs. "I hope this is part of the plan!"
The guardian retaliated, slamming a massive arm of water down toward Mareth.
He barely rolled out of the way, coughing as the spray drenched him. "We can't keep this up forever!"
Kael's eyes narrowed. "We won't have to. One more push!"
Their movements synced.
Kael's strike pierced the guardian's chest, while Mareth delivered a final, powerful swing to its core.
The creature exploded into a torrent of water, the force nearly knocking them off their feet.
The flood receded, leaving behind silence.
Kael approached the pedestal where the anchor now floated, its glow soft and stable.
"It's done," he said, his voice steady but exhausted.
Mareth sat down heavily, water dripping from his armor. "Good. Now, can we please take a break?"
They moved to higher ground, finding a dry patch near a cluster of smooth rocks.
Kael unrolled the map, its glowing lines pulsing faintly as the Tide's Respite anchor dimmed.
Mareth peered over his shoulder. "What's next?"
Kael pointed to two nearby locations. "Pillar of Winds and Earthen Vault. They're close to each other."
Mareth groaned, stretching out his legs. "Pillar of Winds? Sounds like we're heading into a lightning storm. And Earthen Vault? Let me guess falling rocks?"
Kael smirked. "Pretty much. Pillar of Winds is known for its violent tempests, and Earthen Vault.... well, the name says it all."
The campfire flickered weakly as they ate a quick meal.
Mareth poked at his charred rations. "This food is terrible. Can't wait to be done with all of this."
Kael stared into the flames, his expression thoughtful. "We're close. Two more anchors, and then... maybe we'll finally see the Divide restored."
"Or we'll just die trying," Mareth muttered, though his tone lacked its usual bite.
The map shimmered faintly, drawing Kael's attention again.
"Pillar of Winds first," he said, tapping the glowing path. "It's slightly closer, and stabilizing it might help with the Earthen Vault.."
"Or it'll just fry us alive," Mareth quipped, lying back against a rock.
Kael's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Either way, we have to try."
The heat from Tide's Respite still lingered, the ground warm beneath their feet even as the air cooled.
Kael adjusted his sword, ensuring it was secure. "We'll set out at dawn."
Mareth rolled his eyes. "Dawn? You just said we're resting. At least let me sleep past sunrise."
Kael shrugged. "The sooner we leave, the sooner we finish this."
The tent went up quickly, their movements practiced after so many nights in the wild.
Kael laid out his bedroll, his thoughts drifting to the challenges ahead.
"Pillar of Winds," he murmured to himself. "Unpredictable winds. Elemental guardians. And who knows what else."
Mareth's voice cut through Kael's thoughts. "You think these anchors will actually fix the Divide?"
Kael glanced at him. "We've seen it happen. The fire anchor. The water anchor. Each one brings stability back."
"Yeah, but what if it's not enough?" Mareth pressed.
Kael didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked at the map, the faint glow reflecting in his eyes. "Then we keep going. Until it is enough."
Sleep came slowly, the echoes of the battle still fresh in their minds.
Kael lay awake, staring at the tent's ceiling. His thoughts churned, not just about the next anchors, but about the endgame.
What would happen when the Shroud's Divide was fully restored?
Would it be enough to stop the Shroud's Divide from collapsing?
The morning came too quickly, the dim light of dawn breaking through the mist.
Kael packed in silence, his movements precise and focused.
Mareth groaned as he sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Dawn already? You weren't kidding."
Kael offered him a small smile. "Time to move."
The path to Storm's Perch loomed ahead, steep and treacherous.
The winds grew stronger with each step, carrying the faint scent of ozone.
Kael gripped the map tightly, its glowing lines leading them toward the distant peak.
"Pillar of Winds," Mareth muttered. "Why does it feel like it's already trying to kill us?"
The duo pressed on, their exhaustion replaced by a grim determination.
Kael's thoughts were fixed on the anchors, the Divide, and the challenges that awaited them.
Each step brought them closer to the next trial, and each trial brought them closer to their goal.
They had come too far to turn back now.