Volume 2: Shards of Unity
Chapter 8: The Price of Power
The oppressive silence of the ruined city seemed heavier now. Eryth's fingers trembled as they clutched the shard, its faint golden glow pulsing in time with their heartbeat.
Kael paced in tight circles, muttering to himself. "This changes everything. I thought we could use the shard's power safely, but if it's feeding…" He stopped, looking at Eryth with wide eyes. "How many times have you used it?"
Eryth swallowed hard. "Twice. Once in the tunnels and just now. Why? What's happening to me?"
Kael gestured sharply at the shard. "It's not about you. It's about what that thing is taking. If the shard absorbs too much, it could awaken something far worse than anything the Sovereign has ever thrown at us."
Nyx growled, standing protectively in front of Eryth, its glowing eyes locked on Kael. The creature's presence, usually comforting, now felt like a shadowy reminder of the unknown forces at play.
Eryth shook their head. "You're not making any sense! What's inside this thing? What did it just absorb?"
Kael let out a harsh breath, his tone clipped. "That shadow… it wasn't just some mindless creature. It was a fragment of someone who fought and died here—a Shardbearer. When you used the shard, it didn't destroy the fragment. It consumed it, binding their essence into its core. And now that shard is stronger because of it."
A Glimpse of the Past
Eryth stared at the shard, horrified. "You're saying this thing eats people's… souls?"
Kael hesitated, his voice lowering. "Not exactly. Shards don't steal souls—they take memories, willpower, and energy. They turn what's left into power for the bearer. That's why they're so dangerous. They tempt you with strength, but every time you use them, you're feeding the cycle."
Eryth felt sick. The shard felt heavier now, as though the weight of the stolen fragment pressed down on their very being.
"Why didn't you tell me this before?" they snapped, their voice rising.
Kael looked away, guilt flickering in his eyes. "Because I didn't know this one was… alive. Most shards are dormant. They need a specific spark to activate, and apparently, you're that spark."
Eryth wanted to yell, to throw the shard away, but the moment they loosened their grip, the shard seemed to tug against their fingers, as if unwilling to leave.
Nyx let out a low, rumbling growl, its fur bristling. The creature nudged Eryth, drawing their attention.
Kael froze, his eyes narrowing. "Something's coming."
An Unwelcome Guest
The ground began to tremble, and the air grew colder. The faint whispers of the ruins turned into a deafening hum, a rhythmic pulse that seemed to match the shard's glow.
Kael cursed under his breath, gripping his staff. "I was afraid of this. Using the shard's power drew attention."
Eryth backed away, glancing at the crumbled ruins around them. "From what?"
Before Kael could answer, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was tall and lean, wrapped in dark, flowing robes that seemed to shift like smoke. Its face was obscured by a mask, etched with symbols that glowed faintly in the dim light.
"I felt it," the figure said, its voice smooth and cold. "The shard… it's awake."
Kael stepped in front of Eryth, his staff raised defensively. "Who are you?"
The figure tilted its head. "I am one who seeks balance. And that shard disrupts it."
Eryth's grip on the shard tightened. "If you're here for this, you're not getting it."
The masked figure chuckled softly. "Oh, child, you misunderstand. I don't want to take it. I want to see what it makes of you. And whether you survive."
Kael's expression darkened. "You're one of the Sovereign's agents."
The figure's chuckle deepened, its tone dripping with amusement. "The Sovereign? No, I serve a far older power. One that even your precious Sovereign fears."
The First Test
The masked figure raised a hand, and the air around them seemed to distort. Shadows coalesced into forms—vague, humanoid shapes that flickered and twisted unnaturally.
"Let us see if the shard has chosen well," the figure said.
The shadowy forms lunged forward, their movements erratic and unnervingly fast.
Kael reacted immediately, his staff flaring with light as he cast a barrier around them. The shadows struck the barrier, shattering it in seconds.
"Eryth!" Kael shouted. "You'll have to use the shard!"
"No!" Eryth yelled back. "I can't—what if it—"
"You don't have a choice!"
Eryth's heart pounded as the shadows closed in. The shard pulsed in their hand, its light growing brighter with every second.
Nyx leapt into the fray, its claws tearing through one of the shadows. But for every one it destroyed, another took its place.
Eryth gritted their teeth, holding up the shard. Its warmth turned to searing heat, and the golden light flared, consuming their vision.
When the light faded, the shadows were gone. But so was something else.
A Frightening Revelation
Kael looked around, his expression grim. "You did it."
Eryth stared at the shard, now glowing brighter than ever. "What did I just do?"
Kael's face darkened. "The shard didn't destroy the shadows. It took them."
The masked figure clapped slowly, its tone mocking. "Impressive. The shard grows stronger with every use. But how long before it consumes you as well?"
Eryth glared at the figure, but their chest tightened with fear. The shard pulsed, and for a brief moment, they thought they heard a voice—not the echoing whispers of the ruins, but something deeper, colder.
"Feed me. I will protect you."
Eryth staggered back, shaking their head. "No. I won't let you take me."
The masked figure tilted its head, as if amused. "You already belong to it. The only question is how much you'll sacrifice before you realize it."
Before Eryth could respond, the figure dissolved into smoke, leaving them alone in the ruined city.
A Dangerous Road Ahead
Kael stepped forward, his expression weary. "This isn't over. That… thing will be back. And others will come, drawn by the shard."
Eryth looked at the shard, their hands trembling. "How do I stop it? How do I control it?"
Kael sighed. "That's the question, isn't it? For now, we keep moving. There's someone who might have answers, but finding them won't be easy."
"Who?" Eryth asked.
Kael hesitated. "A Shardbearer who survived the Sovereign's purge. If anyone knows how to control that thing, it's them."
Nyx growled softly, nudging Eryth forward.
With no other options, Eryth followed Kael deeper into the ruins, the shard's pulsing glow lighting their path—and reminding them of the price they'd already begun to pay.
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