The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the encampment nestled at the edge of the Whispering Woods. Ashen sat alone by the dwindling fire, the cube resting in his palm, its surface now etched with two glowing symbols. The recent encounter with Elara, the first Emberbearer, lingered in his thoughts, her words a haunting melody in his mind.
Lyra approached silently, her footsteps muffled by the soft earth. She took a seat beside him, her gaze fixed on the flickering flames.
"Do you think the other Echoes will be as... intense?" she asked, breaking the silence.
Ashen nodded slowly. "Each Echo holds a fragment of the Ember's legacy. I imagine they'll only become more challenging."
Thorne joined them, a weathered map in hand. "Based on the cube's guidance, the next shrine lies within the Ruins of Eldara, a city lost to time and sand."
Selene, ever the scholar, chimed in, "Eldara was once a beacon of knowledge and magic. Its fall remains a mystery."
Ashen stood, determination etched on his face. "Then it's time we uncover its secrets."
The journey to Eldara was arduous, the desert's unforgiving heat testing their endurance. As they approached the city's remnants, towering spires and crumbling archways emerged from the sands, silent witnesses to a bygone era.
Within the ruins, whispers echoed, remnants of ancient spells and forgotten voices. The cube pulsed, guiding them to a grand amphitheater at the city's heart.
As they stepped into the arena, the ground trembled. Spectral figures materialized, reenacting moments from Eldara's past—scholars debating, mages casting spells, citizens celebrating.
Suddenly, the scene darkened. A shadowy figure emerged, its presence malevolent. The specters turned, facing the darkness, their expressions a mix of fear and defiance.
The cube floated to the center of the arena, emitting a blinding light. From it, a new figure emerged—a tall man with eyes like molten gold.
"I am Kaelen, the second Emberbearer," he announced. "Eldara's fall was not due to war or plague, but betrayal from within."
He gestured, and the shadowy figure transformed, revealing a familiar face—one of the council members from Ashen's homeland.
"The darkness seeks hosts, and it has found many over the ages," Kaelen continued. "Trust must be earned, even among allies."Phoebe Morgan+6BookTrust+6Time+6
With that, he vanished, leaving behind a new symbol on the cube and a lingering sense of unease.
Ashen turned to his companions, "We must be vigilant. The enemy may be closer than we think."