Chapter 17: Secrets Unearthed

The guardians moved like shadows given life, their forms flickering and shifting as they closed in. Eren barely had time to react before one lunged at him, a clawed hand slicing through the air. He ducked, summoning a burst of flame that forced it to retreat. However, the creature reassembled almost instantly, its dark shape flickering ominously as if taunting him.

Kaelena wasn't far behind, her hands glowing with an electric-blue energy. She unleashed a torrent of lightning, striking several guardians at once. The creatures recoiled, but instead of disintegrating, they seemed to absorb part of the energy, growing more solid and menacing. "They're adapting!" she shouted, panic edging her voice.

The informant fought with practiced efficiency, his blade carving through the creatures as though they were made of smoke. Yet even his strikes seemed to only temporarily scatter their forms. "Aim for the runes!" he barked. "That's their weakness!"

Eren's System chimed.

[System Alert: Combat Scenario Detected. Tactical Assistance Enabled.]

A new interface appeared, highlighting weak points on the guardians. Each creature bore a glowing rune at its center, a pulsating glyph that seemed to fuel its regeneration. Eren focused on one, aiming a fireball directly at the symbol. The creature let out a soundless shriek before collapsing into a pool of ash.

"They're vulnerable at their cores!" Eren shouted, turning to blast another guardian. This time, his fireball was precise, and the result was immediate. The others began to follow his lead, their coordinated attacks gradually reducing the number of guardians.

Kaelena unleashed another wave of lightning, this time targeting the cores. Her strikes grew more focused, and the creatures fell one by one. The informant, meanwhile, covered their flanks, ensuring no stragglers could ambush them.

"We need to get to the Shard!" Kaelena shouted, her voice barely audible over the chaos.

Eren nodded, his mind racing. He activated Pathfinder, and a glowing line appeared in his vision, leading directly to the pedestal. "Follow me!"

The group advanced through the chaos, their movements synchronized. The air grew thick with the scent of burning magic and ash, the remnants of defeated guardians littering the chamber. Finally, they reached the pedestal. Eren hesitated for a split second before grabbing the Shard. A surge of energy coursed through him, and for a moment, the world seemed to freeze.

[System Alert: Shard Acquired. New Abilities Unlocked.]

The guardians froze mid-attack, their forms flickering before collapsing into piles of ash. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by their labored breaths.

Kaelena approached cautiously. "What just happened?"

Eren stared at the Shard in his hand, its light dimming. "I… don't know." He could feel its power coursing through him, a strange combination of exhilaration and dread. Whatever the Shard was, it was far more than they had anticipated. And it was only the beginning.

The guardians moved like shadows given life, their forms flickering and shifting as they closed in. Eren barely had time to react before one lunged at him, a clawed hand slicing through the air. He ducked, summoning a burst of flame that forced it to retreat.

Kaelena wasn't far behind, her hands glowing with an electric-blue energy. She unleashed a torrent of lightning, striking several guardians at once. The informant fought with practiced efficiency, his blade carving through the creatures as though they were made of smoke.

Eren's System chimed.

[System Alert: Combat Scenario Detected. Tactical Assistance Enabled.]

A new interface appeared, highlighting weak points on the guardians. Eren focused on one, aiming a fireball at the glowing core in its chest. The creature let out a soundless shriek before dissipating into nothingness.

"We need to get to the Shard!" Kaelena shouted, her voice barely audible over the chaos.

Eren nodded, his mind racing. He activated Pathfinder, and a glowing line appeared in his vision, leading directly to the pedestal. "Follow me!"

They fought their way through the guardians, the air thick with the scent of burning magic. Finally, they reached the pedestal. Eren hesitated for a split second before grabbing the Shard. A surge of energy coursed through him, and for a moment, the world seemed to freeze.

[System Alert: Shard Acquired. New Abilities Unlocked.]

The guardians stopped moving, their forms flickering before collapsing into piles of ash. The silence that followed was deafening.

Kaelena approached cautiously. "What just happened?"

Eren stared at the Shard in his hand, its light dimming. "I… don't know."