The Path of Balance

ee: The Dep

bs grinding apart to reveal a dark, yawning passage. Cold, stale air rushed out from withi

d his neck throbbed with warmth, as though urging him onward. Kael and L

swallowed

hs carved into the walls glowed faintly when they passed, illuminating the way with a sickly

. "This place... it's not

t. "We're in the bones of something dead," she

ld feel something pulling him forward-a thread buried in

mber of

ke the trunks of dead trees, and in the center, a circular platform hovered over a deep ab

d," Lys said softly. "Ol

"Tests are

forward. "Then

e symbols flared. A pulse of energy surged t

Vi

air smelled of rain and wildflowers. In the distance

wasn'

ace hidden by a smooth mask. When it spo

member who

th caught. "

were a Guardian of Balance. You fell.

. Towers crumbled into ash

because Balance was br

gone. In its place, his chest glowed faintly-

e with

Awak

th power. Kael knelt beside him, sha

ale. "What d

fingers, and golden light sparked at his fingertips. The Heartsto

. "So you're some ki

intly. "I was.

. "Heroes die. We

"The Creed won't stop. W

ce lies deeper. But first, we ne

ian of As

st cavern lit by rivers of molten light. In the center stood a creature of bone and embe

whispered. "It tests

s knuckles. "Th

ling the golden fire in hi

the cavern. Kael darted forward, blades flashing, slicing at the gaps between bone plates

n energy that seared the air. He leapt toward the creatur

a wall, ribs cracking. Lys collapsed to her

Guardian's skull, pouring every ounce of his will int

Guardian shattered. Its bones crumb

nce

ath F

s feet. "Remind me..

faintly. "H

rugged.

nd to help him up. "

spiraled downward-into the depths of the Shat

eyes watched. And a voice whispered in

Hollow Lord wil