A Glimpse Beyond Time

The companions stood at the edge of the crystalline lake, their reflections rippling in its surface as the first rays of dawn stretched across the horizon. Erynn carefully tucked the artifact into his satchel, its gentle hum a constant reminder of the burden they carried. We leave now," Orion announced, their staff glowing faintly as they traced a sigil into the air. "Eternis lies beyond the Rift's immediate reach, but it is not free of danger. Time there flows... differently. Kaelis, her tails flicking nervously, stepped forward. "What does that even mean? Will we age faster? Slower? Orion turned, their glowing eyes solemn. "Neither. In Eternis, time is not a river, but a still ocean. Those who enter may find themselves adrift, unable to discern the present from echoes of the past or glimpses of the future. If your will falters, you could lose yourself entirely.

Isla rolled her eyes, flipping a dagger idly. "Great. Another realm that wants to mess with our heads. Let's get it over with. Braegor adjusted his grip on his axe, his expression hard. "Let it try. I don't care if time freezes, melts, or ties itself in knots. We've got a job to do. Erynn hesitated, glancing between their companions and the lake. "What if... what if we're not ready for this? We barely survived Altherion. You are ready," Orion said firmly. "And the Rift will not wait for us to feel prepared. The third artifact is the key to ending this, and Eternis is its last refuge. We must not fail. With a nod, Erynn stepped closer. Orion completed the sigil, and a portal shimmered into existence, its edges pulsing with golden light. One by one, the companions entered, leaving behind the tranquil lake and stepping into the unknown.

The transition into Eternis was disorienting. The companions emerged into a realm bathed in soft, ethereal light. The ground beneath their feet was made of polished marble, reflecting a sky that seemed to stretch infinitely in every direction, painted with shifting hues of gold, silver, and pale blue. Where... are we?"Kaelis whispered, her voice echoing faintly despite the lack of walls. "A place outside the multiverse," Orion replied. "Eternis exists beyond the flow of time. Every moment, every possibility, is held in balance here. The air was still, devoid of wind or sound. Yet the silence was not comforting; it was oppressive, as though the weight of eternity pressed down upon them. 

Isla glanced around warily, her daggers in hand. "If this place is supposed to be untouched by the Rift, why does it feel so... wrong? It is not the Rift," Orion said, their voice strained. "It is the nature of Eternis itself. This realm is a sanctuary, but it is also a prison. We must tread carefully. As they walked, the marble ground began to shift beneath their feet, forming pathways that extended in impossible directions—upward, sideways, and spiraling into the distance. Floating islands, adorned with ancient ruins and shimmering crystals, drifted in the air like forgotten memories. Erynn stared at one of the ruins, his eyes narrowing. "That... looks familiar. It should not," Orion said sharply. "Do not linger on what you see. Eternis will show you fragments of what was, what could have been, and what may yet come. Do not lose yourself in its illusions.

As they ventured deeper, the atmosphere grew heavier. Whispers began to echo in the stillness, faint and indistinct at first, but growing louder with each step. Kaelis froze, her ears twitching. "Do you hear that? Braegor growled, his hand tightening on his axe. "I hear it. And I don't like it. The whispers grew clearer, transforming into voices familiar voices. Kaelis, you failed us...Braegor, you're nothing without your rage...Isla, you'll abandon them just like you abandoned us.

The companions staggered, each grappling with the weight of the words. Enough! "Orion's voice cut through the cacophony like a blade. They raised their staff, and a wave of celestial light rippled outward, silencing the voices. "This is the Rift's influence. It is reaching into Eternis, twisting its illusions against us. How? "Isla demanded, her voice trembling despite her defiant stance, "I thought this place was beyond its reach! The Rift is adapting," Orion admitted. "Its corruption spreads faster than I anticipated. We must find the artifact before it takes hold of Eternis completely."

Their path led to a towering archway inscribed with runes that shimmered faintly. Beyond it, a grand hall stretched into infinity, its walls lined with mirrors of every shape and size. Orion hesitated at the threshold. "This is the Chamber of Reflections. The artifact lies within, but it is guarded by the trials of Eternis. You must face yourselves before you can claim it. What does that mean?" Erynn asked, his voice tinged with unease. It means you will see your truths," Orion said. "Your fears, your regrets, your hopes. And you must confront them, or you will not leave this chamber. One by one, they stepped through the archway.

Kaelis found herself alone in a vast meadow, the air filled with the scent of flowers. At first, it was peaceful, but then the whispers began. You couldn't save them. Before her, the meadow burned, the flowers consumed by golden flames. Shadows of fox like figures appeared, their eyes accusing. You let us die. Kaelis sank to her knees, tears streaming down her face. "I tried... I tried to save you... The shadows loomed closer, but a voice echoed in her mind: Erynn's voice. "You fought through it, and that makes you strong. Kaelis stood, her golden fire blazing to life. "I won't let you haunt me anymore." With a wave of her tails, she dispelled the shadows and stepped forward, the meadow returning to its serene state.

Braegor's Trial Braegor stood in a battlefield, surrounded by the bodies of his fallen comrades. Blood stained his hands, and his axe felt impossibly heavy. You failed us," a voice growled. Braegor clenched his fists, his anger boiling. "I did what I could. I fought until the end! And yet, you lived," the voice sneered. "While they died. Braegor roared, his axe glowing with a fierce light. "I carry their memory. I fight for them! Their sacrifice will not be in vain! With a single swing, he shattered the illusion, the battlefield dissolving into light.

Isla found herself in a quiet village, its streets familiar. She saw a younger version of herself standing before her family, her daggers in hand. "I can't stay," her younger self said. "I don't belong here. Her family's faces twisted into sorrow, then anger. "You abandoned us. Isla turned away, guilt gnawing at her. But then she remembered Orion's words. "You are not bound to the mistakes you've made. Taking a deep breath, she faced the figures. "I left, but I'm not running anymore. I've found my purpose, and I won't let it go. The figures smiled, fading into mist.

Erynn's Trial Erynn stood before a mirror, his reflection distorted. The artifact glowed in his hands, but its light was faint. You're not strong enough," the reflection said. "You'll fail them. Erynn's grip tightened. "Maybe I'm not strong enough. But I'm not alone. Together, we're stronger than the Rift. The mirror cracked, and the reflection vanished.

The companions reunited at the center of the chamber, where a pedestal stood bathed in golden light. Upon it rested a crystalline hourglass, its sands suspended in midair. Orion stepped forward, their expression solemn. "The Artifact of Eternis. The embodiment of time itself."Erynn hesitated before reaching out, his hand trembling slightly. As his fingers closed around the hourglass, a wave of energy surged through him, and the chamber filled with light.

Before they could celebrate, the light turned dark, and the ground trembled. The Rift's voice echoed through the chamber. You think you can defy me? This is my domain now! A massive shadowy figure erupted from the mirrors, its form shifting and writhing. The companions readied their weapons, their resolve unshaken. Together," Orion said, their staff glowing with celestial light, "we face it together. The final battle for Eternis has begun.