Chapter 55: The Shard of Eternity

The air was thick with tension as the group moved through the ruins of an ancient temple, their footsteps echoing in the vast, empty chamber. The walls were lined with intricate carvings, their surfaces worn smooth by time. The faint glow of the artifact in Kael's hand cast long shadows across the stone, illuminating the path ahead.

Aurelia walked silently, her usual sharp wit absent. The weight of Selene's sacrifice still hung heavy on her shoulders, and the grief in her chest was a constant, aching presence. She glanced at Kael, his silver eyes focused on the artifact, and then at Lucian, who walked a few paces ahead, his expression grim. The group had been through too much, and the toll was evident in their weary steps and hollow eyes.

"This place gives me the creeps," Lucian muttered, his voice low. "It's like the walls are watching us."

Aurelia's lips twitched, a faint attempt at humor. "Maybe they are. Wouldn't be the weirdest thing we've seen."

Kael didn't respond, his attention fixed on the artifact. It pulsed faintly in his hand, its light growing brighter as they approached the heart of the temple. "We're close," he said finally, his voice tense. "The energy here… it's unlike anything I've felt before."

The chamber opened into a vast, circular room, its walls covered in glowing runes that pulsed with a faint, rhythmic light. At the center of the room stood a pedestal, its surface etched with intricate symbols that seemed to shift and writhe as they watched. Resting atop the pedestal was a crystalline object, its surface shimmering with an iridescent light.

"The Shard of Eternity," Kael whispered, his voice filled with awe.

Aurelia's sharp eyes narrowed as she studied the Shard. "It's beautiful," she said quietly, her voice tinged with unease. "But it feels… wrong. Like it's alive."

Kael nodded, his expression grim. "It's tied to the ancient beings. Using it could awaken them, or worse. But it might be the only way to stop the Veil."

Lucian stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the Shard. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's take it and get out of here."

Kael held up a hand, his silver eyes narrowing. "It's not that simple. The Shard is protected by wards. If we trigger them, it could destroy the temple—and us."

As if on cue, the runes on the walls flared to life, their glow intensifying. The ground beneath their feet began to tremble, and the air grew heavy with energy.

"Great," Aurelia muttered, her hand instinctively reaching for her blade. "Just once, I'd like something to go smoothly."

Kael moved quickly, his fingers tracing the runes on the pedestal as he worked to disarm the wards. The process was slow and painstaking, each movement deliberate and precise. The air around the pedestal seemed to grow heavier, the energy pulsing in time with Kael's heartbeat.

Finally, with a soft click, the wards disengaged. The glow of the runes faded, and the Shard of Eternity was free. Kael reached out, his fingers closing around the crystalline object. The moment he touched it, a surge of energy coursed through him, his vision filled with flashes of light and shadow.

"Kael!" Aurelia's voice cut through the haze, her sharp eyes filled with concern.

Kael blinked, the vision fading as he regained his bearings. The Shard pulsed faintly in his hand, its light steady and calm. "I'm fine," he said, his voice steady despite the lingering unease. "But we need to move. The Veil will know we've taken it."

The group turned to leave, but the ground beneath them began to shake violently. The walls of the temple groaned, and the runes flared to life once more.

"What now?" Lucian growled, his sword drawn.

Aurelia's sharp eyes scanned the chamber, her grip tightening on her blade. "Looks like the temple doesn't want us to leave."

As the first of the temple's guardians emerged from the shadows, the group braced themselves for battle. The Shard of Eternity pulsed in Kael's hand, its light casting long shadows across the chamber.

The final battle was coming. And they would be ready.