Chapter 20: To the Capital

The ruins of the Snow Village crunched underfoot as the dust settled from the recent conflict. The village, a silent witness to the power struggles of old and new, had tales buried deep within its snowy confines. Lord Raiden, a beacon of strength amidst the rubble, stood with Articius and Callan, carefully studying a large, ancient tome.

"This tome," began Lord Raiden, gently turning the yellowed pages, "has been passed down through my family for generations. It speaks of legends, prophecies, and the mystical powers that bind our world." He paused, his fingers tracing an intricate symbol on a particular page. "The stone you possess, Articius, it's no mere trinket. It's an artifact of great significance."

Articius, the stone safely tucked within his palm, felt a curious warmth emanating from it, a pull that tugged at the very core of his being. "When I hold it, it feels...alive. Like it's resonating with some ancient power."