CHAPTER 128
last update2025-01-10 23:57:41

The campfire crackled softly, casting warm, flickering light across the clearing as the group gathered for what felt like their first night of peace in ages. The oppressive weight of the corruption had lifted, leaving behind an unfamiliar stillness. It was a rare moment to breathe, to reflect, and for some, to confront lingering ghosts of the past.

Cole sat apart from the group, perched on a fallen log at the edge of the clearing. His silver arrows were laid out beside him, their sharp tips gleaming in the firelight. He ran a cloth over their shafts absentmindedly, his gaze fixed on the flames. The image of Lysara’s tear-streaked face flashed in his mind, her desperate plea echoing in his ears: “Cole means everything to me.”

He hadn’t said anything in response at the time. He hadn’t known what to say. Even now, hours later, the knot in his chest remained. Lysara had always been his weakness, his undoing. Even when they were children, her laughter had been his greatest joy, her tears h
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  • GUARDIAN OF THE FIFTH REALM   CHAPTER 129

    The forest air turned cold without warning, the warm embrace of the evening replaced by an eerie chill. Jace and the rest of the group stood still, their senses heightened, as the silence stretched unnaturally. Even the faint rustling of leaves had ceased, as though the forest itself held its breath.“What is it?” Aila asked, her golden magic staff already glowing faintly as she stepped closer to Jace. Her voice was low, wary.Jace scanned the shadows, his hand tightening on his blade. “I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice tense. “But something’s wrong.”Caelum, standing a few paces ahead with his dark magic staff in hand, nodded grimly. “It’s not the forest. It’s something... else. Something not natural.”Riven unsheathed his silver sword, the blade catching what little light remained. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Everyone stay close.”Lysara, her expression tight, as she stayed close to Cole. While Cole silently nocked a silver arrow to his bow. Erynn, her hands crackling wi

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    The quiet around the campfire was a fragile thing, broken only by the soft crackling of flames and the occasional rustle of leaves in the night breeze. The group was visibly weary, each of them lost in their thoughts after the battle with the monstrous entity and its shadowy minions. Yet, as much as their bodies longed for rest, their minds were plagued by unease.Jace sat near Aila, sharpening his blade with slow, deliberate strokes. The golden glow from Aila’s staff softened his sharp features, but his eyes were distant, reflecting the weight of leadership he bore. Aila’s gaze flicked to him occasionally, sensing his inner turmoil. She didn’t need to ask what was on his mind, she knew he was replaying the battle, analyzing every decision, every move, and every loss they had narrowly avoided.“I can hear you thinking,” Aila said softly, her voice breaking the silence between them.Jace paused, glancing at her with a faint smile. “Sorry. Guess I’m not great at hiding it.”“You don’t h

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    The camp remained quiet under the cover of the dense forest, the faint crackle of the dying fire providing the only sound. The group had fallen into an uneasy rest, though their dreams were far from peaceful. Each of them bore the scars of their journey, physical and emotional. The weight of their quest loomed ever larger.Jace sat propped against a tree, his eyes scanning the perimeter. Despite the exhaustion tugging at his body, sleep eluded him. The air was too still, the forest too silent, as if the world itself held its breath.Aila stirred beside him, her golden staff resting across her lap. The glow it emitted had dimmed to a faint shimmer, but its presence was a comforting constant. Her hand brushed against his arm as she shifted, and her eyes fluttered open.“You’re still awake,” she murmured, her voice hushed.“Can’t sleep,” Jace admitted. “Something feels... off.”Aila sat up, her gaze following his into the shadowy trees. “Do you think it’s another attack?”Jace shook his

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    The camp lay in uneasy quiet as the group tried to regain their composure after the night’s harrowing battle. Each of them had their own scars, visible and hidden, as they silently tended to their weapons or stared into the dying embers of the fire.Cole sat off to the side, his silver arrows scattered before him as he carefully inspected each one. His hands trembled slightly, but he pushed the anxiety aside. He had barely slept since Lysara’s reappearance in his life, and now, with the dark creature vanquished, his mind churned with memories of their shared past. He couldn’t help but glance at her occasionally, wondering how she could seem so calm.Lysara leaned against a nearby tree, her hair cascading over her shoulders as she stared into the forest. Her demeanor was serene, almost detached, but Cole knew her well enough to recognize the turmoil beneath the surface.“Cole,” she said softly, her voice cutting through the silence.He looked up, startled, as she approached him. Her ey

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    The clearing was eerily quiet, the faint hum of Caelum's portal still hanging in the air as the group caught their breath. Aila’s golden staff dimmed, its warm glow fading as she leaned heavily against it, exhaustion clear on her face. The others weren’t faring much better because scratches, bruises, and frayed nerves were evident all around.Jace stood apart from the group, his eyes scanning the tree line with a faraway intensity. His mind churned with questions. The creatures they’d just faced weren’t like anything they had encountered before. Shadows given form, relentless and seemingly endless. Where had they come from? Who or what was controlling them?Riven wiped his blade clean, his expression dark. “That was no random attack. Someone sent those things after us.”“Obviously,” Caelum replied, his voice sharp with irritation. “The question is, who? And why?”“They didn’t attack until we entered the heart of Valloria,” Cole added, his silver arrows resting loosely in his hands. “W

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    The wind howled through the desolate valley as Jace and his group stood at the edge of a broken battlefield. The once-lush surroundings were now a scarred wasteland, a stark reminder of the destructive power of the shadow army that had ambushed them. Their enemies had been ruthless and overwhelming, attacking with precise coordination as if they had been studying the group’s every move.Jace gripped his sword tightly, scanning the battlefield for signs of movement. Beside him, Aila held her glowing golden staff, its light a beacon in the encroaching darkness. Cole and Riven were flanking them, ready to strike at a moment’s notice, while Caelum stood slightly behind, his dark magic staff radiating a menacing energy. Erynn and Lysara were poised on the other side, their faces determined as they prepared for the inevitable.The air was thick with tension as the ground beneath them began to tremble. Shadows slithered across the earth like liquid, forming grotesque creatures with jagged cl

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    The group stared at the ancient temple in the distance, its towering spires shrouded in a faint, golden mist. The air around it buzzed with an unfamiliar energy, both inviting and foreboding. The sight filled each of them with a mix of awe and trepidation. The Veilspire Peaks had tested their strength and resolve, but this temple seemed like the final trial, one they weren’t entirely sure they could pass.Jace stood at the front of the group, his sword resting at his side, his sharp gaze fixed on the temple. Aila was by his side, her glowing staff illuminating their path. Caelum observed the temple with a frown, his dark magic staff glowing faintly as if resonating with the energy around them. Riven, Cole, Erynn, and Lysara were equally on edge, their weapons ready, their movements cautious.“This is it,” Jace said, breaking the silence. “The temple of Vallinor. If the relic is here, we’ll find it inside.”“We better hope it’s worth it,” Riven muttered, his silver sword gleaming under

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