The sanctuary bustled with activity as the Guardians prepared for their journey. Each of them worked to sharpen their connection to their respective elements, knowing the trials ahead would demand more of them than ever before. Yet, as they practiced and planned, an air of unspoken tension lingered—Sarlon was hiding something.

Amaya stood near the center of the training grounds, her hands outstretched as she conjured a small flame that danced in her palm. She focused intently, the fire growing and shrinking in response to her will. Despite the control she displayed, her thoughts were elsewhere.

Sarlon had been unusually quiet since delivering her ominous warning. While the blind advisor was never one for unnecessary words, this silence felt different—guarded, almost fearful.

“You’re distracted,” Kai said, his voice breaking through her thoughts.

Amaya extinguished the flame and turned to face him. He was drenched in sweat, his fists still dripping with water from his own practice.

“I’m fine,” she replied, but Kai gave her a knowing look.

“We’re all feeling it,” he said, crossing his arms. “Sarlon’s hiding something. And it’s not just about the imbalance.”

Before Amaya could respond, Lina approached, brushing dirt off her hands. “She’s definitely keeping something from us,” Lina said, her voice low. “I tried to ask her about the fissures in the Earth Realm, but she just deflected.”

The three of them fell silent, their unease unspoken but shared.

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Inside the sanctuary, Sarlon stood in her private chamber, her fingers tracing the runes carved into the wall. The black feline curled at her feet, its golden eyes watching her intently.

“You know what this means, don’t you?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

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The feline let out a soft growl, as if in response.

Sarlon sighed, her hand dropping to her side. “I thought we had more time.”

She moved to a small chest at the far end of the room and opened it, revealing a collection of ancient scrolls and a shard of crystal that pulsed faintly with a dark, unsteady light. As she reached for the shard, her hand trembled.

The memories it brought back were sharp and painful—a life she’d left behind, a betrayal she’d never forgiven. The shadows stirring in the world were more than just a threat to the elemental balance; they were tied to her past, and to someone she had hoped never to face again.

The feline stood and nudged her leg, breaking her reverie. Sarlon knelt and placed a hand on its head. “I can’t tell them,” she said. “Not yet. They’re not ready.”

The feline growled again, but Sarlon shook her head. “If they knew the truth, it would only distract them. They need to focus on the task at hand.”

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Later that evening, the Guardians gathered in the main hall, their necklaces glowing faintly in the dim light. Sarlon stood before them, her expression calm but distant.

“Your journey begins tomorrow,” she said. “Each of you must return to your respective realms and renew the bonds you share with the elemental spirits.”

“And then what?” Lina asked, her voice firm.

“Then,” Sarlon replied, “you will return here. Together, we will face whatever lies beyond the shadows.”

Amaya stepped forward, her black braid swinging over her shoulder. “You’re not telling us everything,” she said, her tone sharp.

Sarlon’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I’ve told you what you need to know.”

“That’s not good enough,” Kai said, his voice rising. “If we’re walking into danger, we deserve to know what we’re up against.”

Sarlon’s unseeing eyes fixed on him, and for a moment, the room felt colder. “What lies ahead is not for you to face alone,” she said. “But some truths are better revealed in time.”

The tension in the room was palpable, but before anyone could press further, Sarlon turned away. “Rest now. You’ll need your strength.”

As she left the hall, the Guardians exchanged uneasy glances.

“She’s definitely hiding something,” Lina said, breaking the silence.

Amaya nodded, her jaw tight. “And I don’t think we can afford to wait for her to tell us.”

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That night, while the others slept, Amaya sat by the fire, staring into the flames. Her necklace glowed faintly against her chest, its warmth a small comfort in the dark.

“We need to be ready,” she whispered, clenching her fists. “No matter what Sarlon isn’t telling us.”

Above her, the stars twinkled faintly in the sky, their light obscured by the growing shadow on the horizon.