The victory over Selene's emissaries was a brief respite in a war that showed no mercy. The Veilways hummed with uneasy energy, the shattered realms whispering secrets beneath the surface.
Lucas sat beneath a twisted tree, the Rainbow Orb resting gently in his lap. Its glow pulsed softly, syncing with the rhythm of his own heartbeat. Martha knelt beside him, her golden eyes scanning ancient runes carved into the bark — symbols of an old magic tied to the very fabric of the affinities.
"These runes," Martha said, tracing a finger along the symbols, "speak of a hidden place — the Heart of the Veilways. It's said to be the origin of all affinities, a source of power and balance."
Lucas's curiosity flared despite the exhaustion weighing on him. "If we find it, could it help control the Ruin affinity? Maybe even end this war?"
Martha nodded slowly. "It could. But the journey won't be easy. The Heart is protected by trials — tests of strength, mind, and spirit."
Seris joined them, her expression serious. "We'll need to prepare. The titan's fragments are still out there, and Selene's influence lingers."
Lucas stood, determination sharpening his gaze. "Then we don't wait. We find the Heart of the Veilways. If there's a chance to save the affinities — and ourselves — we take it."
The trio set off, weaving through shifting landscapes where reality blurred and magic twisted unpredictably. The path was treacherous; illusions danced at the edge of their vision, and whispers of doubt tried to seep into their minds.
One evening, as the sun dipped below fractured horizons, they reached an ancient gate forged from crystal and shadow. The air vibrated with power, and the Rainbow Orb flared brightly in Lucas's hand.
"The first trial," Martha said, her voice steady despite the tension. "We must prove our unity — that our bonds are stronger than any force trying to divide us."
A swirling vortex opened, and they stepped inside, finding themselves in a realm where time and space folded into impossible shapes.
Illusions tested their fears and desires — visions of failure, loss, and betrayal. Lucas faced shadows of himself, twisted and corrupted by the Ruin affinity. Martha confronted memories of a past she could barely remember, and Seris faced ghosts of battles long ended.
But together, they held fast. Sharing strength, trust, and unwavering resolve, they shattered the illusions one by one.
Emerging from the trial, Lucas felt the Orb pulse with renewed energy — a promise that their journey was only just beginning.
Yet even as hope stirred, a deeper darkness watched from beyond the Veilways. Selene's voice echoed on the wind, a chilling reminder:
"Balance is eternal, and those who seek to control it will always pay the price."