The Path of Balance

The Hollow Cre

hattered Mountain. The world felt different-lighter, as if some invisible weight had

ross the landscape, where green fields once dead now stret

his armor, his expression

he depth of the Hollow Creed's power. They weren't just a group of zealots-they we

was w

wn of

trade town now reduced to ashes. Charred buildings, ho

urned-out cart, fingers brushing over a strange

confirmed, her voice tight.

ow-eyed. She spoke in a whisper. "They came from the sky... sha

heart heavy. "W

d east. Toward

course. Always

de up his mind. "Then th

ron W

s where the Hollow Creed had begun, long ago, in the shadow of the First War. The deeper they traveled, the

clos

e is a

long to

htly, her skin pale. "The

at. "Go

spers. He heard a name. One h

brot

," he w

ond the rust storms and

ow Creed

nd across the land. Black banners fluttered above obsidian to

art of it all

obes of woven shadow, and his eyes gleamed with

his voice both warm and

. "I liked him bette

"I'm more ali

ard. "Why, Darian?

a moment. "Because Balance was

l and R

d. "Join me, brother. Togeth

h his mind. Then he saw Lys-her eyes w

en it

't offering

essel for th

d. "I'll never

darkened. "The

ows rose like a tidal