The crimson glow of the Spire throbbed steadily, it's light bleeding into the horizon like a malign heartbeat. Jace tightened his grip on his sword, his fingers aching from the earlier fight, but he ignored the pain. Every step closer felt heavier, as though an invisible force pressed down on his soul. The others weren’t faring much better.Erynn moved beside him, her emerald aura flickering weakly. She kept one hand clenched over her heart as if the connection to the Heart inside her physically hurt. Aila’s golden light, which once burned with a fierce brilliance, now shimmered like a dim lantern, her expression shadowed with doubt. Even Lorian, usually a pillar of stoic confidence, looked paler than usual, his steps faltering as they neared the edge of the Spire's influence.When they reached the outer boundary, the oppressive sensation intensified. The air shimmered with heat, and the ground beneath their feet cracked and splintered, veins of crimson energy pulsing like exposed art

The Heart’s laughter echoed through the chamber, it's triumph palpable. Crimson light surged across the room, snaking toward Aila, Erynn, and Lorian with a predatory intent. Aila stood firm, her golden light forming a barrier that flickered under the immense pressure. Erynn gritted her teeth, channeling what little strength she had left into a protective ward, but it was clear they were outmatched.Behind them, Jace lay motionless, his body battered and scorched from the Heart’s earlier assault. Yet, even in his unconscious state, the faintest flicker of blue flame still clung to him, refusing to be extinguished.The Heart’s voice was cold and mocking. "This is the end, mortals. Witness the futility of your resistance. Your so-called Guardian is broken."Aila clenched her staff, her knuckles white as sweat dripped down her brow. "You underestimate us," she spat, though the strain in her voice betrayed her fear. She looked back at Jace, desperation flickering in her eyes. "Jace… we nee

The night grew quieter as the tension of their recent ordeal ebbed away, replaced by a profound stillness. The distant ruins of the Spire no longer glowed with malice, their shattered remains dark against the starless sky. Aila remained at Jace’s side, her fingers still lightly intertwined with his. She didn’t want to pull away, and by the way his hand tightened slightly around hers, she knew he felt the same.Jace stirred, attempting to push himself upright again. This time, with Aila’s support, he managed to sit. His body ached as if it had been through a forge, but he wasn’t about to let it stop him. His gaze shifted to the others. Erynn and Lorian stood a little way off, talking in hushed tones, their postures tense despite the temporary reprieve.“They’re worried,” Jace said, his voice still rough but steadier now. “They know we’ve only won one battle.”Aila nodded, but she didn’t look away from him. “They can worry for a little while longer,” she replied softly. “You’re my prior

The silence of the aftermath stretched long into the night, broken only by the occasional crackle of dying embers from Aila’s and Jace’s combined efforts to destroy the voidbeasts. The tension should have eased, the group should have felt relief, but something was wrong. Aila and Erynn had gone to scout ahead, promising to return quickly. They hadn’t come back.At first, Jace assumed it was nothing, perhaps they had been delayed by some lingering threat or had found something worth investigating. But as the minutes stretched into an hour, the unease in his chest grew into a heavy knot of dread.Lorian’s voice cut through the quiet. “It’s been too long.”Jace paced near the edge of the clearing, his movements sharp and restless. “I know that,” he snapped, running a hand through his hair. His chest burned with every breath, the fire within him refusing to settle. His instincts screamed that something had gone terribly wrong.Lorian frowned, leaning heavily on his staff. “We should move.

The air was still, a fragile peace settling over the twisted wasteland. The crimson sky had faded to a deep violet, the swirling clouds now distant and subdued. Jace held Aila close, his arms wrapped tightly around her as if she might vanish if he let go. He could feel the faint, rhythmic thrum of her heartbeat against his chest, a grounding reminder that she was alive, that they both were.Lorian knelt beside Erynn, carefully examining her wounds. His quiet voice carried on the breeze, a low murmur of reassurance. The world around them felt subdued, almost hollow after the storm of chaos they had just weathered.Jace's fingers brushed a lock of Aila's hair away from her face. Her golden eyes, though weary, were still alight with the same fierce spirit he had always admired. The soft glow of her magic returned in faint flickers, a reflection of her slowly returning strength.“Are you okay?” he whispered, his voice low and rough.Aila met his gaze, her lips trembling slightly. “I will