Beneath the sands

The visible remnants of the Sunken City of Azmar offered a tantalizing glimpse into a forgotten past. Weathered stone structures, their surfaces smoothed and sculpted by centuries of wind and sand, jutted from the dunes like the bones of a long-dead leviathan. Partial walls, crumbling archways, and the occasional solitary pillar stood as silent witnesses to a once-thriving metropolis, now lost to the relentless embrace of the desert.

The Iron Fists dismounted their camels, the soft whisper of the sand underfoot a stark contrast to the biting winds of Nordhaven. The heat here was oppressive, even in the early morning, promising a scorching day ahead. They moved cautiously through the ruins, their senses on high alert, the stories of ancient traps and restless spirits associated with such places echoing in their minds.

The city's layout was still faintly discernible. Wide avenues, now choked with sand, stretched between the skeletal remains of buildings, hinting at a grand and well-planned urban center. Intricate carvings, though eroded by time and sandstorms, still adorned some of the remaining walls, depicting scenes of regal figures, strange creatures with feathered wings, and symbols that bore no resemblance to any known script.

Elara felt a strong pull westward, deeper into the heart of the ruins. The Silent Heart fragment within him resonated with the energy emanating from beneath the sand, a powerful beacon guiding their way. They followed his lead, navigating through the dunes and the crumbling structures, their boots sinking into the soft sand with each step.

As they ventured further into the city, they began to encounter more substantial remnants of its past glory. A massive pyramid, its apex now missing, loomed before them, its stone blocks still bearing the marks of incredible craftsmanship. The entrance, partially buried, hinted at vast chambers lying beneath the sand. Elara felt a particularly strong pull towards this structure.

"I think it's inside," he murmured, his gaze fixed on the imposing pyramid. "The energy… it's strongest there."

Borin nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his broadsword. "Pyramids usually mean traps. Let's be careful."

They cleared away the sand from the entrance, revealing a narrow passageway leading downwards into the darkness. The air that emanated from within was cool and carried a faint, earthy scent, a welcome respite from the scorching heat outside. Borin lit a torch, and they cautiously entered the pyramid's depths.

The passage descended into a series of winding corridors and chambers, the air growing thick with the smell of dust and the faint, almost metallic tang Elara had come to associate with the Silent Heart fragments. Carvings adorned the walls here too, depicting scenes more elaborate than those outside, including what appeared to be rituals involving spheres of light and figures with glowing eyes, similar to those in the Temple of Silent Peaks.

They navigated the labyrinthine passages, Elara's connection to the fragment their guiding star. They encountered no traps, no spirits, only the silent echoes of a long-vanished civilization. It was as if the city had simply been swallowed by the sand, its secrets left undisturbed for centuries.

Their path eventually led them to a large, central chamber, its ceiling lost in the darkness high above. In the center of the chamber, resting on a raised dais, was a massive, intricately carved stone pedestal. And upon the pedestal, radiating a warm, golden light, lay another fragment of the Silent Heart – a multifaceted crystal, larger than the one they had encountered in Nordhaven, its energy feeling different, more stable and benevolent.

As they approached the dais, a figure emerged from the shadows behind the pedestal. Tall and slender, clad in flowing white robes adorned with golden symbols, their face was serene and their eyes held an ancient wisdom. They carried no weapons, their presence radiating a sense of peace and tranquility.

"Welcome," the figure said, their voice soft but resonant, echoing through the vast chamber. "I have been expecting you."

Borin's hand instinctively went to his sword. "Who are you? Are you guarding this… crystal?"

The figure smiled gently. "I am a keeper. A guardian of this place, as others are guardians of other fragments. You seek the Heart of the World. Tell me, what are your intentions?"

Elara stepped forward, drawn by an irresistible pull towards the golden crystal. He could feel the fragment within him resonating with its counterpart, a sense of recognition and connection.

"We seek to understand," Elara said, his voice clear. "To learn about the Heart of the World and the role we are meant to play."

The keeper's gaze turned towards Elara, their eyes filled with an ancient understanding. "Then you have come to the right place. The sands of time have buried much, but the whispers of the ancients still echo in these halls. The Heart of the World awaits those who seek knowledge with a pure heart."

It seemed their arrival in the Sunken City had not led to a confrontation, but to an encounter with a guardian who was willing to share the secrets of the past. The journey across the sands had brought them to a new chapter in their quest.