Volume 2: Shards of Unity
Chapter 7: Threads of the Past
The tunnels seemed endless, twisting and turning in directions that made no sense. Eryth's legs ached, their breath coming in sharp bursts. Nyx padded silently beside them, its glowing eyes fixed ahead. Kael led the way, his staff glowing faintly to illuminate their path.
"What exactly are we walking into?" Eryth asked, breaking the heavy silence.
Kael glanced over his shoulder, his expression unreadable. "A safe haven. Or what's left of it."
"That doesn't sound reassuring," Eryth muttered, their grip tightening on the shard.
"It's the best you'll get down here," Kael shot back. "The tunnels are a graveyard for those who wander too far without a purpose. Lucky for you, I have one."
Nyx growled softly, its shadows flickering as if sensing something.
Kael raised a hand, signaling for them to stop. "We're close, but stay quiet. The wards keeping this place hidden aren't perfect."
Eryth glanced around, uneasy. The oppressive energy in the air seemed to press harder against their skin. The shard in their hand throbbed faintly, as if warning them of unseen danger.
A City in Ruin
They emerged into a cavern so vast it felt like stepping into the open sky. Towering spires of black stone rose from the ground, their surfaces etched with glowing runes. Broken bridges hung suspended in the air, crumbling into nothingness.
"This… was a city?" Eryth asked, their voice hushed in awe.
"Once," Kael replied, his tone laced with bitterness. "It was a sanctuary for Shardbearers and their allies. Now it's a ruin, thanks to the Sovereign's forces."
Eryth scanned the ruins, their heart sinking. The remnants of battle were everywhere—shattered weapons, scorched stone, and traces of blood that had long since dried.
Nyx sniffed the air, its fur bristling. It growled, low and menacing, as if sensing something unseen.
Kael tensed, his grip tightening on his staff. "Stay close. Not everything here is dead."
The Whispering Shadows
As they moved through the ruins, Eryth felt the shard grow warmer, its glow flickering in response to the runes around them. Faint whispers filled the air, words too soft to understand.
"Do you hear that?" Eryth asked, glancing at Kael.
Kael nodded grimly. "The echoes of those who fell here. The shards bind their energy to places like this. It's why the Sovereign wanted them so badly—they're more than just tools. They're fragments of life, of will."
Eryth shivered, the weight of the shard suddenly feeling heavier in their hand.
Ahead, the whispers grew louder, coalescing into a single, mournful voice.
"Why do you carry our burden? Leave this place… or share our fate."
Nyx snarled, stepping protectively in front of Eryth.
Kael raised his staff, its glow intensifying. "Don't listen to them. The echoes feed on doubt. Keep moving."
But the ground beneath them trembled, and a shadowy figure began to rise from the cracked stone. Its form was humanoid but distorted, its features obscured by a swirling mass of darkness.
"Guess we're doing this the hard way," Kael muttered, readying his staff.
A Battle of Wills
The shadow lunged, moving faster than Eryth could react. Nyx intercepted it with a roar, its claws tearing into the creature's form. The shadow shrieked, its shape warping as it struck back.
Kael shouted something Eryth couldn't hear, the roar of battle drowning out his words. The shard in Eryth's hand burned, its light flaring as if responding to the threat.
Eryth gritted their teeth, focusing on the shard. "If you're alive in there, now would be a great time to help!"
The shard pulsed once, and a surge of energy coursed through Eryth's body. Their vision blurred, the world around them fading into a golden haze.
When their sight cleared, they were no longer in the cavern. Instead, they stood in a vast, empty space, the ground beneath their feet glowing faintly.
"Where am I?" Eryth whispered.
A figure appeared before them, shimmering like a mirage. It was tall and androgynous, its features obscured by light.
"You carry a fragment of us," the figure said, its voice resonating in Eryth's mind. "But you are not yet worthy to wield it."
Eryth clenched their fists. "I didn't ask for this! If you want me to help, then show me how to use it!"
The figure tilted its head, as if considering their words. Finally, it spoke:
"There is no 'help.' Only a choice. Save yourself… or save them."
The Twist: The Shard's True Nature
The golden haze shattered, and Eryth was back in the cavern. The shadowy figure loomed over them, its claws poised to strike.
Without thinking, Eryth raised their hand. The shard flared, a burst of golden light erupting from it. The shadow screamed, its form disintegrating under the onslaught.
But as the light faded, Eryth noticed something chilling: the shadow wasn't destroyed. It was absorbed into the shard.
Kael's expression turned from awe to horror. "You… you just fed it. You fed the shard."
"What do you mean?" Eryth asked, their heart racing.
Kael took a step back, his staff raised defensively. "The shards aren't just fragments of life—they're parasites. Every time you use their power, they consume something… someone."
Eryth froze, staring down at the shard in their hand. Its glow was stronger now, almost eager.
Nyx growled low, its eyes fixed on the shard.
Kael's voice was grim. "You're not carrying a weapon. You're carrying a predator."
The weight of Kael's words settled over Eryth like a crushing wave. The shard's warmth, once a source of comfort, now felt like a leeching hunger, clawing at the edges of their mind.
As the ruins grew quieter, the only sound was the shard's faint pulse—a rhythm that matched Eryth's own heartbeat.