WHISPERS OF ETERNITY

ged creature still fresh in their minds. The forest had grown eerily silent, as though holding it

t. The faint whispers he had heard earlier now lingered in his mind, growing louder with each step.

he finally asked,

t him, her expressio

oice trembling. "It's like... so

The shard," she said grimly. "It's connected to

twisted. "Wha

ut artifacts like that always take something. And

d tightening. "I didn't ask for th

said, her tone curt. "The question is whethe

eir journey. The forest seemed to grow darker, the t

-

decided to make camp. Lyssa scouted the perimeter, ensuring th

casting flickering shadows, Kael felt a small measure of c

me?" he asked suddenl

rom sharpening her dag

've left me back at the village. You didn't have to figh

nt. "Let's just say I know w

y than she was letting on. But before he could press

f them

n instant, her dagger in h

r, accompanied by a faint glow in the distance. It wasn't the

hat?" Kael

nging them into darkness. The only illumination now came f

is mind grew louder, almost insistent. He strained to m

e," Lyssa said,

spectral figure cloaked in swirling mist. Its form was vaguely humanoid,

e as the figure's gaze-or what he a

el.

echoed as though spoken in a vast cham

y name," he

nt of him, her dagge

ce seemed to fill the clearing. "Bearer of th

?" Kael demanded,

h a gift and a curse. It will grant you power, bu

tened. "Why me? W

s bearer. It seeks those with potential, those wh

her eyes narrowing. "And who a

mnant of those who wielded the shard before you. Learn from

into the mist. "Remember... the shard will test you.

hed, the clearing f

-

ands trembling. "What does tha

s you need to be careful. Artifacts like the shard... they're

pulsing in time with his heartbeat. "But I d

" Lyssa said, her tone softer now. "

ermination igniting within him. "

t didn't reach her eyes. "Good. Because whateve

e shard's warning was only the beginning. Somewhere in the depths of the Wy

wasn't sure if t