CHAPTER 114
Author: Richey's Starlight
last update Last Updated: 2025-01-07 17:56:40

The group trudged through the dense forest, their boots crunching over fallen leaves and twigs. Morning light filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Aila walked beside Jace, her golden staff glowing faintly even in the daylight. Riven and Erynn followed close behind, exchanging occasional glances that hinted at a growing connection. Cole stayed at the rear, his silver bow slung over his shoulder and his mind racing with thoughts of Lysara.

He couldn’t ignore her words. They clung to him like a ghost, her voice soft but insistent: Seek the answers within you. What did she mean? And why had she chosen him? Every time he tried to make sense of it, his thoughts spiraled into confusion.

“You’re unusually quiet,” Aila remarked, glancing over her shoulder at him.

Cole shrugged, feigning indifference. “Just tired.”

Aila studied him for a moment, her perceptive gaze piercing through his facade. “You’ve been tired a lot lately. Are you sure nothing’s bothering you?”
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    The group trudged forward, their victory over the shadow creatures already feeling like a distant memory. The air was colder now, the biting chill seeping through their clothes and biting at their exposed skin. Snow began to fall lightly, coating the rocky terrain with a thin layer of frost. Each step they took toward the sanctuary felt heavier, as though the mountain itself were resisting their progress.Aila who was walking beside Jace, her golden staff emitting a faint warmth that seemed to push back the cold. She glanced at him, her eyes filled with concern. “How much further do you think it is?” she asked softly.Jace shook his head, his expression grim. “I don’t know. Caelum?”Caelum, who had taken the lead, paused to glance back at them. His dark magic staff glimmered faintly in the low light. “Not far now,” he said, though there was a note of uncertainty in his voice. “But the closer we get, the more resistance we’ll face.”Riven, walking a few steps behind, grunted. “That’s c

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    Lysara led the group down a narrow passageway, her steps quick but deliberate. “The heart of the darkness… it’s in the chamber beneath the fortress. It’s been festering there for centuries, feeding on everything around it.”“Why didn’t you tell us this before?” Riven asked, keeping pace with her.“Because I didn’t know how much control I had,” Lysara admitted. “The darkness clouded my mind. But now that it’s gone, I can feel where it’s coming from.”They emerged into a vast, circular room with a spiraling staircase descending into the depths. The air here was colder, heavier, and the faint sound of whispering voices echoed from below.“This is it,” Lysara said, her voice trembling. “The source is down there.”Jace tightened his grip on his sword and glanced at the others. “Stay sharp. We don’t know what we’re walking into.”The group descended cautiously, their footsteps echoing on the stone steps. As they neared the bottom, the whispers grew louder, almost deafening. Aila’s staff fli

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    He sighed, his gaze dropping to the ground. “It’s not about trust, Aila. I know you’re all here, and I’m grateful for that. But someone has to keep pushing forward. If I falter, everything falls apart.”She placed a hand on his arm, her golden light warming his skin. “You won’t falter, and neither will we. But you need to believe that you’re not alone.”Jace looked into her eyes, the sincerity in her voice piercing through the walls he had built around himself. He nodded slowly, a small smile tugging at his lips. “You’re right. I’ll try.”Satisfied, Aila resumed walking, her light seemingly brighter than before.As the group moved further from the fortress, the landscape began to change. The desolate plains gave way to rolling hills, their green slopes dotted with wildflowers. It was a stark contrast to the darkness they had just left behind, and for a moment, it felt as though they had entered another world entirely.Eryos paused at the crest of a hill, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

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    “What now?” Cole muttered, his silver arrows already nocked and ready.The ground beneath their feet trembled slightly, and in the distance, the outline of a figure began to emerge from the shadows of the fortress. At first, it was unclear whether it was human or something else entirely, but as it drew closer, the group tensed.“It’s… not attacking,” Aila said cautiously, raising her glowing staff.The figure stepped into the light, revealing a tall, hooded man draped in tattered robes. His face was obscured by shadows, but his presence radiated an aura of ancient power. In one hand, he carried a staff similar to Caelum’s, though it pulsed with a faint, otherworldly energy.“Who are you?” Jace demanded, stepping forward with his sword drawn.The man raised a hand in a gesture of peace. “I mean you no harm,” he said, his voice deep and resonant. “I have come because I felt the darkness here had being extinguished. You are the ones responsible, are you not?”Jace hesitated, his grip tig

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    Lysara led the group down a narrow passageway, her steps quick but deliberate. “The heart of the darkness… it’s in the chamber beneath the fortress. It’s been festering there for centuries, feeding on everything around it.”“Why didn’t you tell us this before?” Riven asked, keeping pace with her.“Because I didn’t know how much control I had,” Lysara admitted. “The darkness clouded my mind. But now that it’s gone, I can feel where it’s coming from.”They emerged into a vast, circular room with a spiraling staircase descending into the depths. The air here was colder, heavier, and the faint sound of whispering voices echoed from below.“This is it,” Lysara said, her voice trembling. “The source is down there.”Jace tightened his grip on his sword and glanced at the others. “Stay sharp. We don’t know what we’re walking into.”The group descended cautiously, their footsteps echoing on the stone steps. As they neared the bottom, the whispers grew louder, almost deafening. Aila’s staff fli

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    The group moved cautiously through the winding corridors of the abandoned fortress, the air heavy with the aftermath of their battle. The faint glow from Aila’s golden staff lit their path, casting long, flickering shadows on the walls. Jace led the way, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword tightly, while Riven and Erynn followed close behind, their eyes darting to every corner.Cole stayed near Lysara, his expression unreadable. Though her eyes no longer glowed with the menacing power of the dark magic, he couldn’t shake the weight of her words. She had been possessed, a victim of the darkness, but that didn’t erase the damage she’d caused. The question lingered in his mind: could they truly trust her?As they reached an open chamber, Jace raised a hand, signaling for the group to stop. “This is a good place for us to rest for a while,” he said, his voice firm but weary.Aila nodded, setting her staff against the wall and taking a seat on a smooth stone ledge. “We need to regroup

  • GUARDIAN OF THE FIFTH REALM   

    CHAPTER 119

    The battle raged on in the dimly lit chamber, shadows clashing against light as Jace, Aila, Riven, Erynn, and Caelum fought tirelessly against Lysara’s dark magic. The air crackled with energy as spells collided, sparks flying like shooting stars. Jace led the charge, his sword blazing with a radiant glow, each swing tearing through the darkness.Lysara stood at the center, her eyes flickering with something between rage and desperation. Her hands weaved intricate patterns, summoning more shadowy creatures to defend her. But with every second, the group’s relentless determination began to chip away at her defenses.Aila raised her golden staff high, its light burning like the sun itself. She channeled her magic into a protective barrier around the group, shielding them from a massive wave of darkness Lysara hurled their way. “We’re breaking through her power!” Aila shouted, her voice firm despite the strain.“She’s weakening,” Caelum added, his dark magic staff humming with energy as

  • GUARDIAN OF THE FIFTH REALM   

    CHAPTER 118

    The night was eerily still, a silence so profound it seemed as though the very world was holding its breath. Cole stood on the edge of the camp, his bow slung across his back, his silver arrows gleaming faintly in the moonlight. He had taken the first watch, insisting that the others needed rest after their grueling battle in the sanctuary. The air was cold, crisp, and Cole’s breath hung in faint clouds as he scanned the surrounding forest.For a moment, he allowed himself to relax, his thoughts drifting. The mysterious girl who had been appearing to him in recent nights was an enigma he couldn’t unravel. Her eyes haunted his dreams, her soft laughter echoing in his mind. He knew she wasn’t real, or at least, that’s what he told himself. But tonight, something felt different. There was a tangible presence in the air, a subtle shift in the energy around him.Then, he saw her.She stepped from the shadows with the grace of a predator, her long hair cascading like a waterfall around her

  • GUARDIAN OF THE FIFTH REALM   

    CHAPTER 117

    The group trudged forward, their victory over the shadow creatures already feeling like a distant memory. The air was colder now, the biting chill seeping through their clothes and biting at their exposed skin. Snow began to fall lightly, coating the rocky terrain with a thin layer of frost. Each step they took toward the sanctuary felt heavier, as though the mountain itself were resisting their progress.Aila who was walking beside Jace, her golden staff emitting a faint warmth that seemed to push back the cold. She glanced at him, her eyes filled with concern. “How much further do you think it is?” she asked softly.Jace shook his head, his expression grim. “I don’t know. Caelum?”Caelum, who had taken the lead, paused to glance back at them. His dark magic staff glimmered faintly in the low light. “Not far now,” he said, though there was a note of uncertainty in his voice. “But the closer we get, the more resistance we’ll face.”Riven, walking a few steps behind, grunted. “That’s c

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    CHAPTER 116

    The morning sun filtered through the trees as the group emerged from the corrupted forest, their steps heavy with exhaustion but their spirits lightened by their recent victory. The air felt fresher, the oppressive darkness finally lifted. Jace sheathed his sword, his gaze sweeping over his companions to ensure everyone was accounted for. Aila walked beside him, her golden staff dimmed but still radiating a comforting warmth.Behind them, Erynn and Riven exchanged quiet words, their bond visibly stronger after their shared trials. Cole followed close behind, his quiver lighter but his resolve unshaken. As they moved forward, they found Caelum waiting for them at the edge of the clearing, his dark magic staff resting against his shoulder.“Looks like you’ve been busy,” Caelum remarked, his sharp eyes scanning the group. His tone was casual, but there was a hint of approval in his expression.“Could’ve used your help back there,” Riven said with a smirk, though there was no malice in hi

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    The forest stretched out before them like a labyrinth, dense and foreboding. Morning mist clung to the ground, wrapping around their legs as they moved. Jace led the group with Aila close by his side, her golden staff casting a soft, reassuring glow. Cole trailed behind them, his thoughts distant but his focus sharp. He had hardly slept, haunted by Lysara’s words and the memories she had unlocked. The rest of the group followed silently, the weight of their journey palpable in the crisp air.“Do you feel that?” Aila’s voice broke through the quiet, pulling everyone to a stop. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, her grip tightening on her staff.“What is it?” Jace asked, immediately on edge. He drew his blade, the silver gleam catching the faint light.Aila shook her head slowly, her brow furrowed. “It’s… a presence. Faint, but it’s there.”Erynn and Riven exchanged a glance, both readying their weapons. Erynn’s hands brushed her daggers, but her fingertips briefly flickered with flame