The Librarian's eyes gleamed as she approached Kaden and Lara. "You seek the Heart's next piece? It's hidden where words are power."
Lara frowned. "What do you want in return?"
"A story," the Librarian said, caressing a book spine. "A tale of fire and loss. Yours."
Kaden stepped forward. "I'll tell it."
The Librarian led them to a chamber filled with floating books. Kaden began—a halting tale of his village burning, his parents lost. As he spoke, flames danced in the air, words manifesting on blank pages.
The Librarian listened, entrhralled. When Kaden finished, she wrote a word on a page: "Courage."
A section of the maze shifted, revealing a crystal pedestal. On it lay the Heart's second piece—a shard glowing with moonlight.
Lara took it, her eyes shining. "You shouldn't have done that."
Kaden shrugged. "It was a story worth telling."
The Librarian smiled, handing Kaden a book. "A gift. But be warned—the shadows now know your fire."
As they left the maze, Eira awaited. "Well done. But the shadows close in. The third piece is in Arktos—city of ice."
A cold wind swept in. Lara gripped Kaden's arm. "Arktos is a death trap."
Kaden glanced at the book. A map led to Arktos. "We'll face it."
What happens next? 😊