The City Of Whispers

Kael stood in the heart of the Shattered Realm, but it wasn't the desolate wasteland he and Elara had entered. It was alive—vibrant, bustling, and full of life. Children laughed in the streets, merchants called out their wares, and the air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers. 

This was the realm as it had been before he destroyed it. 

The Supreme God's voice echoed in his mind. "This is your greatest failure, Kael. Relive it. Understand it. Only then can you move forward."

Kael's chest tightened as he watched the people—people he had once sworn to protect. He remembered the day it happened. The shadows had been growing stronger, feeding on his arrogance. He had tried to control them, to bend them to his will. But they had consumed him, and in his rage, he had unleashed their power on the realm. 

The sky darkened. The ground cracked. The people screamed. 

Kael fell to his knees, his hands clutching his head. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm so sorry." 

---

The vision shifted, and Kael found himself standing in a burning village. A child ran toward him, tears streaming down her face. 

"Help me!" she cried. "Please!" 

Kael reached out, but his hand passed through her. She dissolved into ash, her screams echoing in his ears. 

The Supreme God's voice boomed. "You could have saved her. But you were too late."

Kael's breath hitched. "I didn't know… I didn't understand…" 

"You didn't care to," the Supreme God replied. "You were too consumed by your own power."

---

The vision shifted again, and Kael found himself on a battlefield. A warrior stood before him, his sword raised in defiance. 

"You took everything from us!" the warrior shouted. "Our homes, our families, our lives!" 

Kael's heart ached. "I didn't mean to… I was trying to protect you." 

The warrior laughed bitterly. "Protect us? You destroyed us!" 

Kael's hands clenched into fists. "I was wrong. I see that now. But I'm trying to make things right." 

The warrior's expression softened, but only for a moment. "It's too late for that." 

He lunged, his sword aimed at Kael's heart. 

---

Outside the vision, Elara and Alden watched as Kael's body trembled, his face twisted in anguish. 

"We have to snap him out of this," Elara said, her voice urgent. 

Alden nodded. "Any ideas?" 

Elara glanced at the fifth shard, still embedded in the pedestal. "We need to remind him of who he is now. Not the god who destroyed this realm, but the man who's trying to make things right." 

Alden smirked. "Leave it to me." 

He rummaged through his pack and pulled out a small vial filled with glowing liquid. "Mira gave me this. Said it was a 'disguise elixir.' Maybe it'll help." 

Elara raised an eyebrow. "A disguise elixir? How is that supposed to help?" 

Alden shrugged. "No idea. But it's worth a shot." 

He uncorked the vial and drank it in one gulp. 

---

For a moment, nothing happened. Then Alden's body began to glow. His armor melted away, replaced by thick, brown fur. His hands turned into stubby paws, his nose twitched, and his fiery red hair became a bushy tail. 

When the glow faded, Alden was gone. In his place stood a *fat marmot*, its round belly nearly dragging on the ground. 

Elara stared, her mouth hanging open. "Alden…?" 

The marmot squeaked, its beady eyes wide with panic. 

Elara burst out laughing. "Oh, this is perfect." 

---

The vision shifted one final time, and Kael stood before the Supreme God. 

"You have faced your past, Kael. But have you truly learned from it?"

Kael's voice was steady. "I can't change what I've done, but I can choose who I am now. And I choose to protect the people I care about." 

The Supreme God was silent for a moment. Then the fifth shard glowed brightly, its energy flowing into Kael. 

Elara knelt beside the marmot, scratching under its chin. "Okay, Alden. Here's the plan. We're going to remind Kael of who he is now. And you're going to help." 

The marmot squeaked again, its whiskers twitching. 

Elara stood and turned to Kael, who was still trapped in his vision. "Kael! Listen to me! You're not that person anymore. You've changed. You're trying to make things right." 

Kael didn't respond, his face still twisted in anguish. 

Elara glanced at Alden. "Your turn." 

The marmot waddled over to Kael, squeaking loudly and pawing at his leg. 

Kael's eyes flickered, his gaze shifting to the marmot. "Alden…?" 

The marmot squeaked again, its tail flicking furiously. 

Elara knelt beside Kael, her voice soft but firm. "Kael, look at him. Look at *us*. You're not alone anymore. You have people who care about you. People who believe in you." 

Kael's trembling slowed, his breathing steadying. "Elara…" 

She took his hand, squeezing it tightly. "We're here for you. No matter what."

---

 As the group left the temple, Alden waddled beside them, still in his marmot form. 

"So… how long does this last?" Elara asked, trying not to laugh. 

Alden squeaked, his tail drooping. 

Kael smirked. "Mira's elixirs usually wear off after a few hours. But knowing Alden, he'll find a way to make it last longer." 

Alden growled, his ears flattening. 

Elara laughed. "Well, at least you're adorable." 

Alden squeaked indignantly, his tail flicking despite himself. 

---