Kaelion and Lyria walked in tense silence through the winding forest path, the shadows of the trees stretching long under the waning sunlight. Kaelion stole a glance at Lyria. She was still pale and disheveled, her fiery hair falling over her bruised face, but her steps were steady, determined.
He decided to break the silence. "So, what's the story? Why were those guys after you?"
Lyria glanced at him but didn't answer immediately. Her green eyes betrayed a mix of hesitation and defiance. "They're treasure hunters, mercenaries working for some wealthy clan. They think I stole something from them."
Kaelion raised an eyebrow. "And did you?"
Lyria smirked faintly. "If I did, I wouldn't tell someone I just met, would I?"
Kaelion chuckled. "Fair enough. But you're clearly not just some random runaway. That artifact must be valuable."
She stopped in her tracks, turning to face him. "Look, I appreciate the help back there, but don't think you can start digging into my business. I've been on my own for years, and I'm not about to start trusting some stranger just because he threw a few punches."
Kaelion met her glare calmly. "Fair point. But if you want to survive, you're going to need help. Those guys aren't going to give up that easily."
Lyria stared at him for a moment, then sighed. "You're annoyingly persistent, you know that?"
Kaelion grinned. "I've been told."
---
The Hidden Artifact
As they continued walking, Kaelion couldn't help but notice the way Lyria clutched her satchel protectively, much like he did with the Starfire Core. Whatever she was carrying, it was clearly important to her.
Finally, after what felt like hours, they reached a small clearing where the remnants of a campfire lay scattered. Lyria knelt down and began rummaging through her satchel.
Kaelion leaned against a nearby tree, crossing his arms. "So, what's the plan? Keep running until they get tired of chasing you?"
Lyria didn't look up. "Not exactly. I have a place I'm trying to get to—a sanctuary. But it's not close, and I can't get there alone."
Kaelion frowned. "Sanctuary? What kind of sanctuary?"
She hesitated, then pulled something from her satchel. It was a black, jagged shard, pulsing faintly with crimson energy. The air around it seemed to ripple, and Kaelion felt a strange, foreboding presence emanating from the shard.
"This," Lyria said, her voice low, "is why they're after me."
Kaelion's eyes widened. "What is that?"
"It's called the Shard of Aetherium. I… found it in an ancient ruin. I don't know exactly what it is, but I know it's dangerous. And powerful."
The system's voice echoed in Kaelion's mind.
> "Artifact identified: Shard of Aetherium. Warning: High-risk energy signature detected. Recommend avoiding prolonged exposure."
Kaelion took a step back, eyeing the shard warily. "You're carrying that around with you? No wonder people are chasing you!"
Lyria glared at him. "Do you think I wanted this? I didn't even know what it was when I found it. But now that I have it, I can't just leave it behind. If it falls into the wrong hands…"
She trailed off, and Kaelion could see the fear in her eyes. Whatever the shard was, it clearly wasn't something to be taken lightly.
---
A New Enemy
Before Kaelion could respond, the system issued a warning.
> "Hostile presence detected. Estimated arrival: 2 minutes."
Kaelion's demeanor shifted instantly. "We've got company."
Lyria's head snapped up. "Already? Damn it!"
Kaelion drew his dagger, scanning the trees. The faint sound of footsteps grew louder, accompanied by the rustle of leaves. Whoever was approaching wasn't bothering to hide their presence.
From the shadows emerged a tall man clad in dark robes, his face obscured by a hood. He carried a staff adorned with glowing runes, and his presence exuded an aura of menace.
"Well, well," the man said, his voice smooth and mocking. "It seems the rumors were true. The little thief does have the shard."
Lyria stepped forward, her fists clenched. "It's not yours, and you're not getting it."
The man chuckled. "Brave words for someone so outmatched. But I'm not here to bargain. Hand it over, and I might let you live."
Kaelion stepped in front of Lyria, his dagger glinting in the fading sunlight. "She's not alone anymore. If you want the shard, you'll have to go through me."
The man tilted his head, his gaze shifting to Kaelion. "And who might you be? Another foolish mortal trying to play hero?"
Kaelion smirked. "Something like that."
The man's expression darkened. "So be it. I'll deal with you first, then."
---
A Fierce Battle
With a flick of his staff, the man summoned a torrent of black energy, which surged toward Kaelion like a tidal wave. Kaelion's instincts kicked in, and he leapt to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack.
> "Starfire Enhancement activated: +20% agility."
Kaelion felt the familiar warmth of the Starfire Core's energy coursing through him, sharpening his reflexes. He darted forward, closing the distance between himself and the man in an instant.
The man swung his staff, but Kaelion ducked beneath it, slashing at his side with his dagger. The blade met a barrier of dark energy, sparking on impact.
"Not bad," the man said, his tone mocking. "But you'll need more than that to defeat me."
Kaelion gritted his teeth. "Good thing I'm just getting started."
The system's voice echoed in his mind.
> "Host has unlocked Starfire Burst. Would you like to activate it?"
"Do it!" Kaelion shouted.
A surge of golden flames erupted around him, forcing the man to stumble back. Kaelion pressed the advantage, his movements a blur as he unleashed a flurry of strikes.
Lyria, meanwhile, had retrieved her own weapon—a pair of daggers etched with runes—and joined the fight. Together, they forced the man onto the defensive, their combined efforts overwhelming him.
---
A Narrow Victory
Realizing he was outmatched, the man snarled and raised his staff. "This isn't over. I'll be back for the shard—and for you."
With a final burst of dark energy, he vanished, leaving Kaelion and Lyria alone in the clearing.
Kaelion let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "That was… intense."
Lyria nodded, her expression grim. "He's one of the hunters. And he won't stop until he gets what he wants."
Kaelion glanced at the shard in her hand, its crimson glow eerily beautiful. "Then we'll just have to make sure he doesn't get the chance."
For the first time, Lyria smiled faintly. "We?"
Kaelion grinned. "You're stuck with me now, whether you like it or not."
As they prepared to continue their journey, Kaelion couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far greater—and far more dangerous—than he had ever imagined.
---