The Cost of Power

The broken orb in Luna's shaking hands blipped softly, its once strong light now no more than a faint glimmer. Reid was at her side, his sword raised as he looked around them for any trace of the puppeteer. The stillness of the atmosphere was deafening in contrast to the chaos that had only just stopped.


What do you mean we made it worse?" Reid asked, his voice equal parts frustration and concern.

Luna's gaze didn't leave the orb. "The crack." She ran her fingers along the jagged surface. "It means it's breaking the balance. The orb wasn't just a guide-it was the anchor that kept the seal intact."

Reid's shoulders squared. "So, what now? If the seal is breaking, that means the abyss will.


Luna nodded grimly. "Unless we find another way to strengthen it, the abyss will fully open. And the puppeteer will be free to unleash its chaos."

Selene's Warning


By the time they returned to the sanctuary, the air was heavy with dread. Selene met them at the entrance; her face pale as she saw the cracked orb.

"You've felt it too, haven't you?" Luna said, laying the broken device on the stone table.

Selene nodded and spoke slowly. "The wards are wearing off. Whatever you've encountered at the chasm accelerated the decay of the seal."

Reid slammed his fist on the table. "Then tell us how to fix it! We can't just sit here waiting for the abyss to swallow us."

Selene hesitated, her hands trembling. 'There might be a way, but it's dangerous—far more dangerous than anything you've faced so far."

Luna stepped forward. 'Tell us."

Selene's eyes met hers. 'The orb can be repaired, but to restore its power, you'll need to collect fragments from the other anchors tied to the abyss. There are five in total, scattered across the realm. Each fragment is guarded by ancient forces bound to the seal's protection."

Reid frowned. 'And let me guess—these forces aren't exactly friendly?"

Selene's face clouded. "No. They will consider you threats, just like the puppeteer does."

The First Fragment

Armed with the insight of Selene and a new sense of urgency, Luna and Reid launched themselves toward the position of the first fragment: the Crystal Caverns. Travel was harsh; the landscape changed from heavy forests to desolate wasteland as they approached their target.

The entrance yawned ahead-craggy crystal formations that glowed with an otherworldly light. At the threshold, Luna hesitated, her hand instinctively clutching the broken orb.

"Are you ready for this?" Reid asked lightly, his eyes dead serious.

Luna gave a forced smile. "Not really. But we don't have a choice, do we?"

The air was cold inside, and heavy with an uncanny hum. Crystals along its sides pulsed softly, casting fractured reflections of their forms.

"This place feels… alive," Reid said, his voice low and echoing within the cavern.

"Because it is," Luna whispered. "The fragments hold the essence of the abyss, but also the energy of those who created the seal. It's a balance-life and destruction, existing together.

As they walked further, the hum grew louder, vibrating within their bones. The path grew narrow, and they had to go single file. Luna's hand came into contact with a crystal, and at once a surge of energy zapped through her.

She gasped, stepping backward.

"Luna!" Reid grabbed her arm, steadying her. "What happened?"

She shook her head, trying to catch her breath. "The energy-it's like the abyss is trying to pull me in."

Reid's jaw clenched. "Then we move fast. No stopping. Test of the Guardian

Deep within the cave, they found the first fragment, hovering in a column of light whose surface heaved in an iridescent glow.

But as they approached, the earth began to shake and the light dimmed. Out of the darkness now came a tall figure: a guardian crystal, its faceted form refracting the light in dizzying, kaleidoscopic patterns that blinded the eye.

Interlopers," it boomed, as if its voice was a gong. "You wish to take that which is denied."

"We've come to preserve the seal," Luna said, courageously pushing her way forward. "The abyss is getting loose. Unless we restore the orb, all is lost."

It tilted its head; its features were unreadable behind its masks of crystal. "To remove the shard is to upset the order. Prove your worth, or be destroyed.

It lunged without warning, crystalline arms lengthening into jagged spears. Reid thrust Luna aside, his blade leaping to block the attack. The impact launched a shower of sparks, and the force rattled through the cavern.

"Luna, do something!" Reid shouted between dodges.

She grasped the orb tightly, focusing on the fragment. Energy pulsed in it in weak surges, stirring, reaching for her. She closed her eyes, trying to open her mind enough to find a connection with it.

The guardian roared louder; its movements became much wilder, feeling her intention. Reid kept its attacks at bay-skittering his blows off the crystalline surface.

"Hurry up, Luna!

She focused, her mind cutting through the mayhem as sweat dripped from her brow. Then, she had it-a thread of energy connecting her with the fragment.

"Got it!" she called out.

The orb in her hand flared to life, pulling the fragment to itself; the guardian stiffened in mid-attack, its form shimmering as it lost the fragment to break loose from the pillar of light.

The cavern bucked wildly, fissures spreading across the walls as the fragment joined with the orb. The guardian screamed-a sad, low sound-and its body crumbled to a river of sparkling dust.

When the cavern began to collapse, Reid grasped Luna's hand and pulled her toward the cave exit. They ran through tunnels that seemed to get smaller and smaller-the hum now a deafening roar.

"Don't look back!" Reid yelled as chunks of crystal fell around them.

They exploded from the cave just as the entrance collapsed, sending a cloud of dust and debris high into the air. Both fell to the ground, gasping for breath.

Luna held up the orb, now glowing faintly, though intact. "One down," she said, her voice shaking.

Reid managed a weak laugh. "Only four to go.

But their relief was short-lived. The air around them grew heavy, and a familiar, chilling voice echoed from the shadows.

'Well done, little guardian," the puppeteer said, its molten eyes appearing in the darkness. 'But you're only making my job easier."

Luna scrambled to her feet, clutching the orb tightly. 'Stay back!"

The puppeteer's voice was low and menacing, chuckling. "Oh, I have no intention of stopping you. In fact, I'm counting on you to succeed. After all, the more fragments you gather, the closer you bring me to ultimate power."

It disappeared, leaving behind a nasty echo hanging in the air.

Reid turned to Luna, his face white. "Tell me we're not playing right into its hands.

Luna stared into the orb, frowning. "I don't know anymore."