Chapter 4: The Shattered Basin Beckons

The road to the Shattered Basin wasn't a road at all — more like a death wish wrapped in fog, mystery, and occasionally exploding mushrooms.

"Why are they exploding?!" Liam shouted as another mushroom popped beside him, releasing a burst of purple gas.

"Welcome to the Glassroot Wilds," Aeris said with a smirk. "Home of toxic spores, cursed wildlife, and dreams that bite back."

Nyra summoned a glowing blue wisp to light their path. "You should be thankful. Last time I came through here, I stepped on a singing toad that insulted me in three languages."

"Charming place," Liam muttered.

They had been traveling for three days, dodging odd creatures, eating food conjured by Nyra (with highly questionable seasoning), and avoiding direct contact with the "glassroots" — crystalline vines that shimmered beneath the forest floor and hissed when disturbed.

Mog floated overhead, occasionally releasing little sparks of energy. Ever since they left the sages, the frog had grown more alert, watching their surroundings like a tiny green bodyguard.

But something had changed in Liam too.

He could feel the pull — like a quiet hum deep in his chest. A faint energy guiding him forward, always toward the same destination.

The Shattered Basin.

"It's like I can feel where we're going," he said aloud as they walked.

Nyra turned to him, curious. "You sure it's not just hunger?"

"No, seriously. It's like this… this tug inside me. Like a thread being pulled."

Aeris slowed her pace, frowning. "The sages did say the fragments would call to you. You may be resonating with the magic."

"That sounds both cool and incredibly dangerous," Liam said.

"It is," she replied, completely serious.

Suddenly, Mog let out a sharp croak and veered left.

They all stopped.

From the dense fog ahead, something growled — low, rumbling, like the cracking of ancient stone. Red eyes blinked between the trees.

Nyra stepped forward and summoned a protective ward. "Something's coming."

The growl intensified, and then it stepped into the clearing — a towering beast made of twisted vines, stone plates, and shadow. Its form shimmered like a glitch, shifting with every breath.

"The Guardian of the Basin," Aeris whispered.

"It's already here?!" Liam yelped.

"It moves with the Basin's magic," Aeris said, drawing her blade. "It must've sensed you too."

The creature roared and slammed its fists into the ground, sending a shockwave toward them. Nyra's barrier held — barely.

"Time to fight," she said with a grin.

The Battle Begins

Liam ducked and rolled as a tree was ripped from the ground and hurled their way. Mog shot out a burst of glowing orbs, distracting the beast momentarily.

Aeris moved like lightning — slicing across its leg, causing shards of shadow to fall away. "Aim for the core! It's hiding it!"

"I don't see a core!" Liam yelled, holding up his hands. Instinctively, he summoned a small burst of energy — pure, glowing silver — that lashed out like a whip.

It struck the beast in the chest, where it shimmered oddly.

"There!" Aeris shouted.

Nyra clapped her hands, summoning a larger spirit — a feline made of blue flame — that charged the monster and pinned it down for a moment.

"Now, Liam!" she shouted.

Liam closed his eyes.

He could feel it — the thread pulling tighter, the hum becoming a roar. He focused everything he had into his hands, and with a surge of will, released it.

A wave of silver light burst forward.

The beast screeched — not in pain, but in release. The shadow peeled off like bark, revealing a crystal orb lodged in its chest. The creature, now free of corruption, crumbled gently into dust.

And the orb floated into Liam's hands.

The First Fragment.

It glowed softly — not dangerous, not threatening. Just… waiting.

Liam stared at it, heart pounding. "Did we… just win?"

Mog landed beside him, nodding approvingly. "Ribbit."

Aeris sheathed her blade. "That's one. Six more to go."

Nyra flopped onto the ground, exhausted. "Let me guess — each one comes with a near-death experience and severe trauma?"

"Pretty much," Aeris replied dryly.

Liam held the fragment close, feeling the warmth seep into him. But alongside it came something else — a whisper. A flicker of something deeper.

A memory?

A vision?

A flash of a woman… running through fire… holding a crying baby… a crumbling portal in the sky.

He gasped and stumbled back.

Nyra caught him. "Liam?! What did you see?"

He looked at her, shaken. "I think… I saw her. My mother."

Aeris's eyes narrowed. "The fragments aren't just pieces of a book. They're keys to your past."

Liam stared into the distance. "Then we need to find the rest. Not just to stop what's coming… but to learn who I really am."