Chapter 12: Shattered Realities

The revelation of the Shards shook the academy to its core. For days, whispers replaced the usual clamor in the hallways. Everyone speculated about their significance, yet no one seemed to have concrete answers. Eren couldn't shake the image of the glowing fragment embedded in the labyrinth's core, its faint hum resonating in his mind even now. Kaelena had been quiet since their discovery, her usual smirk replaced by a thoughtful frown.

Eren found himself in the academy's sprawling library, poring over ancient tomes and records. The room was eerily silent, save for the occasional crackle of magical torches lining the walls. He scanned the page of yet another book, his frustration mounting. "Nothing," he muttered, slamming it shut. "How can something so important leave no trace?"

Kaelena appeared beside him, her arms crossed. "Still at it?"

He nodded, rubbing his temples. "I feel like I'm missing something. These Shards—they're not just relics. They have to mean more."

"They do," she said, sliding into the seat across from him. "But you won't find answers here."

Eren frowned. "What do you mean?"

Kaelena leaned closer, lowering her voice. "This library only contains what the academy wants us to know. The real knowledge is hidden."

His heart quickened. "Hidden where?"

She smirked, some of her old confidence returning. "The restricted archives."

Breaking into the restricted archives wasn't something Eren had ever imagined doing, yet here he was, creeping through dimly lit corridors with Kaelena leading the way. The air grew colder as they descended deeper into the academy's underbelly. Finally, they reached a massive iron door etched with intricate runes.

"This is it," Kaelena whispered, her eyes scanning the door. "Give me a moment."

She pressed her hands against the runes, her fingers glowing faintly. The door groaned as the magic unraveled, and with a final surge of energy, it swung open. Inside, rows of ancient scrolls and artifacts awaited them, their presence oppressive.

Eren stepped inside, his breath hitching. "This place feels… wrong."

Kaelena nodded. "That's how you know we're in the right spot."

They split up, each searching for anything that might shed light on the Shards. Eren's eyes landed on a cracked leather-bound book with a single word etched on its cover: Origins. He opened it carefully, the pages brittle with age.

The words painted a chilling picture. The Shards were remnants of something called the Prime Fragment, a source of unimaginable power. Long ago, it had been shattered to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. Each piece contained a fraction of its might, and together, they could reshape reality itself.

Eren's blood ran cold. "Kaelena," he called, his voice barely above a whisper. "You need to see this."

She hurried over, her eyes narrowing as she read over his shoulder. "This… this is insane. If someone were to gather all the Shards—"

"They could become unstoppable," Eren finished, the weight of the revelation settling over them like a storm.