The Earth Stone

Chapter 24

The Earth Stone

The aftermath of the battle left the friends panting, their bodies worn but their spirits unyielded. The darkness had receded, but a palpable tension hung in the air. Aria glanced at her companions, their faces illuminated by the fading light of the Water Stone.

“We can’t stay here,” Erian urged, his gaze scanning the forest. “More shadows will come. We need to find the Earth Stone and secure its power.”

Rowan nodded, determination etched on his face. “Legends speak of an ancient grove where the Earth Stone lies hidden. It’s said to be protected by the very essence of nature.”

Kael, still attuned to the elemental energies, closed his eyes, reaching out with his dreamwalking abilities. “I can sense the direction. It’s deeper in the forest, where the trees are oldest and the earth is rich.”