The storm roared with fury as Kael and Mareth advanced toward the Pillar of Winds anchor. Each step was a battle, the wind clawing at their cloaks, lightning crackling in the air. The massive crystalline anchor shimmered faintly in the distance, barely visible through the storm's chaos.
"This wind is relentless," Mareth shouted, his voice nearly swallowed by the gale.
Kael kept his eyes on the distant anchor, determination hardening his features. "The storm's tied to the anchor. If we don't act, it'll tear this place apart."
"Sure, no pressure," Mareth muttered, sidestepping a jagged rock tumbling through the air.
The path grew more treacherous with every step. The ground quaked beneath them, cracks forming as the storm's fury intensified.
Kael motioned ahead, shouting, "We need to get to the anchor before it destabilizes completely!"
Mareth eyed the swirling winds around the Pillar of Winds. "Right. Just a little trek through chaos and destruction—easy."
The storm howled as if in response, a deafening roar that drowned out any further complaints.
As they pressed forward, the winds coalesced into a massive figure a storm elemental. Its body was an ever-shifting mass of clouds and lightning, its glowing eyes brimming with raw energy.
Kael drew his blade, his expression grim. "It's protecting the anchor. We'll have to go through it."
Mareth groaned, unsheathing his sword. "Of course we will. Why can't anything just let us pass?"
The elemental raised an arm, and a violent gust of wind slammed into the ground, sending debris flying.
Kael dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the brunt of the attack. He shouted to Mareth, "Distract it! I'll try to reach the anchor!"
"Distract it? Sure, I'll just have a nice chat with it!" Mareth called back, charging toward the creature.
The elemental turned its attention to Mareth, its massive arm swinging down like a hammer.
Mareth ducked under the blow, his sword glowing faintly as he slashed at the creature's leg. The blade passed through harmlessly, the storm reforming around the strike.
"Kael, this thing's not solid! What am I supposed to do?"
Kael didn't answer. His focus was on the anchor ahead, its glow flickering erratically.
The closer Kael got, the stronger the winds became. Each step felt like wading through an invisible river, the force threatening to throw him off balance.
The Pillar of Winds pulsed faintly, its energy unstable.
Kael reached out, his hand brushing the pedestal.
The storm elemental let out a furious roar, sensing Kael's presence near the anchor.
It turned from Mareth, its glowing eyes locking onto Kael.
"Oh no, you don't!" Mareth shouted, hurling a rock at the creature. It passed through harmlessly, but the distraction worked.
The elemental hesitated, giving Kael a crucial moment to act.
Kael grasped the anchor, and a surge of energy rushed through him.
Visions flooded his mind the Pillar of Winds' purpose, its role in the Shroud's Divide. The imbalance was clear, its power spiraling out of control.
Kael gritted his teeth, focusing his will on stabilizing the anchor.
The storm reacted violently, the winds intensifying around him.
The elemental roared, its form distorting as cracks of light spread through its cloudy body.
Mareth charged at the creature again, slashing at its limbs to keep it distracted.
"Whatever you're doing, Kael, do it faster!"
Kael's hands trembled, the energy from the anchor nearly overwhelming him. The storm's chaos pushed back against his efforts, refusing to be tamed.
"I can't stabilize it!" Kael shouted, his voice barely audible over the roaring winds.
The elemental let out another deafening roar, its form growing larger as the anchor's instability fed its power.
Kael released the anchor, gasping for breath. "It's too far gone. The storm's feeding off the imbalance—it won't stop unless the anchor is destroyed."
"Destroyed?" Mareth called, dodging another strike from the elemental. "How do we do that without blowing ourselves up?"
Kael didn't have an answer. His mind raced, searching for a solution.
The elemental turned its full attention to Kael, its massive form looming over him.
Kael raised his blade, preparing to defend himself, but before the creature could strike, the ground trembled violently.
A shockwave rippled through the air, and in the distance, another anchor activated.
A pillar of light shot into the sky, piercing through the storm clouds.
The elemental paused, its glowing eyes flickering as it turned toward the light.
"What now?" Mareth asked, staring at the distant glow.
Kael's grip tightened on his sword. "Another anchor. It's activating on its own."
The winds around them shifted, the storm losing some of its intensity as the elemental began to dissolve.
"It's leaving," Mareth said, lowering his weapon.
Kael nodded, his gaze fixed on the distant light. "The activation's drawing its power. But that doesn't mean we're safe."
The storm began to clear, revealing the shattered landscape of the Pillar of Winds.
Kael and Mareth stood in the aftermath, their bodies bruised and their resolve shaken.
"We didn't stabilize it," Mareth said, his voice heavy with frustration.
Kael shook his head. "No. But the next anchor's connected. If we can stabilize it, we might be able to restore balance to both."
Mareth sighed, sheathing his sword. "So, we're chasing after another anchor? Figures."
Kael gave him a faint smile. "You knew what you signed up for."
The two began their descent, the distant glow of the activated anchor guiding their path.
The journey wasn't over. The battle wasn't won.
But their resolve remained unbroken.