The frozen wind howled around them as the shadowed figure stepped closer. Each heavy footfall sent tremors through the ground, cracks spiderwebbing across the icy terrain. Rannah and Hannah stood frozen in place, their breath curling in the frigid air, hearts pounding in unison.
Then, it spoke.
"You carry the Heart of the Earth," the voice rumbled, deep as the caverns beneath the mountains. "You have no idea what you have done."
The snowstorm momentarily parted, revealing the creature fully. It was no mere beast. Towering above them stood a guardian of ice and stone, its form carved from the very elements around them. Its eyes glowed with ancient fire, flickering between deep amber and piercing blue, as if torn between forces within itself. A long-forgotten sentinel, awakened by their intrusion.
Rannah swallowed, forcing herself to stand tall. "We didn’t come here to wake you," she said carefully. "But we need the shards. If we don’t find them before the others do, everything will fall apart."
The creature tilted its head, ice cracking at its joints as it moved. "You believe you are different from those who came before?" it asked. "All who seek the shards believe they are worthy. Few are. Fewer survive."
Hannah took a step forward, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her blade. "Look, we don’t have time for riddles. If you’re here to stop us, just—"
The guardian raised a massive hand, and a pulse of raw energy shot outward. A shockwave of ice and wind sent Hannah stumbling back, her sword nearly ripped from her grasp. Rannah braced herself, the Heart of the Earth pulsing wildly in response.
"I am no enemy," the guardian said. "But the power you wield is not yours to take lightly."
Rannah steadied her breath, staring up at the ancient being. "Then tell us what we need to know."
For a moment, silence hung between them. Then, slowly, the creature lowered its arm.
"The shards are more than fragments of power," it said. "They are pieces of something once whole—something that should never have been broken."
Rannah exchanged a glance with Hannah. "You mean they weren’t just scattered for protection?"
The guardian’s gaze darkened. "No. They were shattered to seal something away. Each shard is a key. And with every piece you collect, you weaken the barrier that holds it prisoner."
The weight of his words settled like lead in Rannah’s stomach. "Then why are they reacting to me? Why do they guide me?"
"Because the Heart of the Earth recognizes you as a vessel," the guardian replied. "It senses your strength… and your doubt."
Rannah’s hands curled into fists. She had spent so long chasing these shards, believing she was preventing catastrophe. But if what the guardian said was true, then she wasn’t just gathering power—she was undoing something ancient. Something dangerous.
Hannah exhaled sharply. "So you’re telling us that every time we find a shard, we’re making things worse?"
The guardian nodded solemnly. "Yes."
Rannah’s mind raced. "Then what are we supposed to do? Leave the shards where they are and let the dark mage or the others find them first?"
The creature studied her for a long moment. "The choice was made long before you arrived here. Whether you gather the shards or abandon them, the seal is already breaking. The world is shifting. And soon, what was locked away will awaken."
Rannah’s grip on the Heart of the Earth tightened. She had felt the change—every step closer to the shards had sent ripples through the magic around her. But she had convinced herself she was doing the right thing. Now, doubt gnawed at her resolve.
Hannah let out a frustrated sigh. "Great. So, we’re either unlocking something horrible or letting someone worse do it instead. Fantastic."
The guardian’s gaze softened. "You are not alone in this. The path ahead is uncertain, but the choice remains yours."
Rannah took a deep breath, forcing herself to think. They couldn’t turn back now. The shards wouldn’t simply vanish, and ignoring the truth wouldn’t stop others from seeking them. If anything, it made their mission more urgent.
"We keep going," she said finally, meeting Hannah’s gaze. "But we do it with our eyes open. No more blind chasing."
Hannah nodded. "Agreed. But first, we need to get out of here before the next ancient monster wakes up."
The guardian chuckled, a deep rumbling sound that echoed through the valley. "You are bold. That may serve you well… or be your undoing."
It stepped aside, motioning toward a path that had not been there before. A narrow passageway, carved through the ice, led deeper into the mountains.
"There is one more thing you must know," the guardian said. "The final shards are hidden where the elements converge. Fire, water, air, and earth—only by understanding them all can you hope to complete what was broken."
Rannah hesitated, then nodded. "Thank you."
The guardian inclined its head. "Go now. Before the storm claims you."
Without another word, Rannah and Hannah stepped forward, following the path into the unknown. The wind roared behind them, but they didn’t look back. The weight of their journey pressed heavier than ever before, but they had made their choice.