Whispers of Gold

Jacqueline reached for one of the crystals, her fingers hesitating just above its surface. "Will these protect us from the Covenant?"

"Not protect," Monique corrected gently. "Warn. The true protection lies within you—powers you're only beginning to understand."

Each guardian took a crystal, and Jacqueline felt hers pulse in rhythm with her heartbeat, its blue luminescence deepening when she channeled her water affinity.

"There's something else," Blake said, his fire-attuned senses detecting the hesitation in Monique's demeanor. "Something you haven't told us."

The Golden Child nodded solemnly. "The corruption has... consequences. As you cleanse each node, you may encounter echoes—manifestations born from the damaged dragon lines."

"Manifestations?" René asked, his musician's ear catching the careful choice of words. "You mean creatures?"