The moon hung low over the eastern isle, casting pale light over the jagged cliffs and restless waves below. Lior sat by the campfire, the warmth barely piercing the chill that crept through his bones. The encounter with the glowing runes and the strange stranger lingered in his mind, but so did something else — the restless pulse of the Celestial Code within him.
Closing his eyes, Lior reached inward, seeking the fragments he'd sensed earlier. The memories, emotions, and whispers echoed softly, like a distant song just out of reach. He focused on the sensation, willing the system to respond.
Suddenly, a gust of wind stirred the fire, sending sparks dancing into the night. Lior's eyes snapped open. His heart hammered as the breeze swirled around him, forming patterns in the air—almost like invisible threads weaving through the darkness.
He raised his hand tentatively, and the wind obeyed, flowing around his fingers like liquid silk. A small rock nearby lifted off the ground, hovering gently before settling back down.
"This… this is the Code," he breathed, a mixture of awe and disbelief coloring his voice. The fragments weren't just memories—they were keys to power.
Yet, the unlock felt fragile, like a candle flickering in the wind. The system pulsed faintly, as if warning him that every use came with a cost he didn't yet understand.
Elyra watched from the shadows, her eyes unreadable. "Control it carefully. The isles are fragile, and your power even more so."
Lior nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility settle even deeper. The path ahead was clearer now—but more dangerous than ever. The Celestial Code had given him his first gift. But the true test had only just begun.