Heart of the Ruined City

As they stepped beyond the gate, Kael and Lira found themselves within a vast valley. At its center lay a ruined city. Once, magnificent towers must have risen toward the sky; now only broken stones, collapsed arches, and silent streets remained.

The city’s name appeared in Lira’s book: Aeltharion. According to the prophecy, this was the place where the crystals were first born. Now, however, there was nothing but the howling wind and a silence that echoed between the stones.

Kael raised the crystal shard. Its light pointed toward the heart of the city. There, one structure still stood: a towering spire. Though half-ruined, a symbol still glowed at its peak.

“We must go there,” Kael said.

Along the way, they noticed strange markings in the streets. Footprints… but not human. They looked as if they had been carved by long, slender claws. Lira shuddered. “Something still lives here.”

As they approached the tower, the shadows stirred. Suddenly, a creature lunged toward them—long arms, eyes glowing like crystal, skin as hard as stone. Kael did not draw a sword, for he had none; his only weapon was the crystal shard.

Just as the creature was about to strike, the shard flared with light in Kael’s hand. The light forced the creature back. It cried out in pain, but it did not vanish.

At that moment, a figure emerged from the tower’s entrance. It was an elderly man in a long cloak, leaning on a staff, his eyes shining with wisdom.

“Stop!” he called. “This creature is not your enemy. It is the guardian of the city.”

Kael and Lira stared at the man in disbelief. As he approached, the creature knelt before him.

“My name is Elandor,” the old man said. “The last keeper of Aeltharion. You are the travelers of the prophecy. I know you have heard the crystal’s call.”

Lira raised her book. “Yes. The prophecy brought us here. But our journey is far from over. What does it ask of us?”

Elandor took a deep breath. “The power of the crystals has been shattered. One fragment still lies hidden within this city. You must find it. But beware—dark forces are following you. They seek to destroy the crystal.”

Kael and Lira exchanged a glance. The journey was no longer just a quest—it was the beginning of a war.