The Weight of Truth

The Core Chamber seemed to pulse with a living rhythm, its energy resonating through the air. The massive crystals glowed faintly, casting the room in an ethereal light that flickered as if mirroring the group's collective tension. Daniel stood at the edge of the pedestal, his eyes fixed on the runed sphere. Every instinct warned him of the power it contained—ancient, vast, and unknowable.

Lirien stepped closer, their expression solemn. "The decision is yours, Daniel. The memories within the heart are not just stories; they are the truths of this world, etched into its very fabric. But knowledge has its cost."

Daniel hesitated, his claws twitching at his sides. Mira placed a hand on his shoulder. "Whatever's in there, you don't have to face it alone," she said softly. Her words, though comforting, carried a weight of expectation that Daniel wasn't sure he could bear.