The Veil of Elaria

tinel in an endless circle, their branches twisting into shapes that seemed to whisper secrets to the mist that curled at

any sign of Haldwyn, but the healer was nowhere to be seen. The barrier he had conjured to fend off the Labyrinth's G

e the journey began, Ka

e the very air hummed with ancient power. His thoughts turned to Elira-her pale face, her fragi

rwater. Kaelen turned toward it, his eyes narrowing as he saw movement amo

led, its voice a

clenched

as she had before she fell ill-her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, her emera

d, her expression too perfect. And when she spoke ag

ut you don't need to fight anym

s dagger tightened.

shimmered, its edges blurring like a reflection in rippling water. When it spoke a

ge and cleverness will

e, it took the shape of a tall, shadowed entity cloaked in shifting darknes

er's soul is mine now. It was drawn to me when she touched the Ston

fear replaced by defiance.

lish mortal. You cannot take what has already been bou

k I'm leaving without her, you don'

er, and the Warden's form grew larger, more impos

erupted from the earth, snaking toward Kaelen. He dove to the side, rolli

rise, the blade seemed to disrupt the shadow, causing it to dissipate. Encourag

d Kaelen, but he was faster, weaving through them as he closed the dista

ldrith sneered. "I am bo

ere had to be another way to weaken him. His eyes flicked to the gl

reached out, and one of them settled on his palm, pulsing faintly before sinking into his skin. A warmt

had paused, his glowing eyes n

ls and striking at the shadows that anchored Maldrith to the ground. Each strik

roared. "You

continued to gather around him. He felt their energy coursing

enter of Maldrith's form. The blade erupted with light, and Maldr

the Warden hissed as he

. Kaelen dropped to his knees, his chest heaving. The

trees. It was Elira, her form shimmering with the same light as the motes. Her eyes

e said, her

pered, rising unst

d. "You s

, and Kaelen felt tears prick his

world is over. But you've given me freedom, K

otes scattering into the air. The Glade began to fade, the tr

y crashing down on him. He had saved his sister, b

the dagger tightly. The world felt emptier now, but he carried Elira's lig

Draymoor, he knew his lif