Chapter 21: Through the VeilIt was not truly a gate, but a swirling vortex of light and shadow that lay hungrily before them. The massive, immobile figure was evidently supposedly looking at them from some higher realm. The hum of the artifact in Lance's hand intensified, vibrating with a rhythm matched only against his racing heart."Lance," Evelyn whispered, "What do we do?" It was barely audible breath over the roar of the portal.Lance's mind raced. This was the sort of thing that had never happened to them. And a choice had to be made; not only for him, but by all these people hanging on him."We go through," said Lance, staring at the portal. Selena narrowed her eyes. "Are you crazy? We don't even know what's on the other side!" "We also have no idea what happens if we stay here," Lance argued. "

Chapter 23: A Price for Power The group burst out of the collapsing fortress, tumbling into the barren expanse beyond as a deafening roar signaled its final destruction. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring the ruins behind them. Lance, clutching the now-combined artifact, stumbled to his knees. The pulsating energy radiating from the artifact was overwhelming, its light dimming as if it, too, had barely survived the ordeal. “Everyone... okay?” Lance panted, his voice strained. Evelyn nodded, brushing dirt from her clothes. “Alive, but barely. What the hell was that thing?” “A guardian,” Selena replied, her tone grave. “A last-ditch defense to keep the shard from being taken. And we’ve barely scratched the surface of what we’re dealing with.” Vex helped Selena to her feet, his expression grim. “If that was just

Chapter 25: The Forgotten CliffsThe Forgotten Cliffs loomed ahead as jagged teeth against a gray sky. The legends were true, the land of the place was never as forgiving. Sharp rocks punctured the surface from a mostly uneven ground, and along sheer drops, narrow paths snaked precariously. The air was colder, and it seemed there's an eerie stillness in it, amplifying every sound. The group forged forth, they were determined to forge onward, come thick or thin. Lance was ahead of them, looking at any place that might reveal signs of Victor or the artifact. Behind him came Evelyn, as graceful as ever, moving through this terrain by ears tuned to every sound and shadow. Bringing up the rear was Selena, crossbow ready; while Vex trudged along with a scowl, his axe resting across his back. “Anyone e

Chapter 27: Shadows of the Forgotten It was a strange sort of quiet that came after the battle. The group move around in stupor along the jagged path that leads out of the canyon, their step heavy with exhaustion and tension. Even Vex, who cracks a joke or two after a fight, was subdued. “Did he even hear me?” Lance asked, glancing back to his companions now. Selena walked along her lips pressed into a thin line, crossbow slung over her shoulder. Then he heard Evelyn muttering something under her breath, likely reviewing everything in her head. There was the lagging Vex trailing behind, making it appear that he was dragging his axe along the ground like it was as heavy as him. "I'd say we earned a break," Vex finally broke the silence. Sitting on a rock, he theatrically wiped his forehead. "Who knew saving