The morning sun rose, but it brought an eerie stillness to the ruined town. When the Guardians awoke, they were no longer in their camp near the Water Temple. Instead, they found themselves at the heart of the town, directly before the massive stone obelisk that now pulsed faintly, as though awakening.

The air shimmered with a strange energy, and to their astonishment, people began to appear around them—not solid beings, but translucent echoes of those who had once called this place home. Laughter, snippets of conversation, and the distant hum of life filled the air. The Guardians exchanged wide-eyed glances, unsure if they were witnessing some vision, memory, or a fragment of magic left behind.

Kai’s breath hitched when he heard it: a whisper, soft and familiar, brushing against his ear like a breeze.“Come home, my love…”

He turned sharply, his heart pounding as he felt the faintest caress of a hand against his cheek. But no one was there.

“Did anyone else hear that?” he asked, his voice unsteady.

The others shook their heads, though their expressions mirrored his unease.

“It’s like the town is alive again,” Lina murmured, watching the spectral figures move with purpose, their voices blending into a haunting melody.

“Alive... or stuck,” Reya replied, her voice heavy with foreboding.

Drawn by an unseen pull, Kai began walking toward the eastern side of the town, his friends falling in step behind him. The path led uphill to the ruins of what must have once been a grand house. Its walls were crumbled, ivy clinging to the remaining stones, and shattered windows framed the empty shell of what might have been a vibrant home.

Standing on the broken steps of the entrance was a woman, her form translucent like the others. She was stunning, her features delicate yet commanding. Her pale gown shimmered as though woven from sunlight, and her hair, long and unbound, flowed as if caught in an eternal breeze.

She extended a hand toward Kai. “Come inside, my love, you and your friends, and let me tell you a story.”

Kai hesitated, glancing at the others. Amaya gave him a small nod, and together they ascended the steps. The air grew heavier as they crossed the threshold into the ruins.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Inside, the remnants of a grand hall came into view. Though much of it had collapsed, fragments of carved stone and faded murals hinted at the beauty it once held. The woman gestured for them to sit on what might have once been a set of elegant benches, now little more than stone slabs.

She began her tale, her voice filled with both sorrow and strength.

“My name was once Illiana,” she said, her gaze resting on Kai. “I was the daughter of Almira, the first Guardian of the Four Winds. When my time came, I took up the mantle of Wind Guardian and stood alongside your ancestor, my husband. Together, we protected this valley and all who lived here.”

Her voice faltered briefly, but she pressed on.

“It was a dark day when the shadows came. We had fought so many battles, weathered so many storms, but we thought we were safe. My daughter, Kamina... she had been visiting family outside the valley. We had hoped for a brief reprieve—time alone without the constant weight of guardianship, without the fear of invaders or death.”

Her expression darkened, and her spectral form flickered slightly.

“But that night, when the flames died, it all went wrong. The shadows descended on the valley with a fury unlike anything we had ever seen. They consumed everything in their path—our homes, our people, even the spirits of this land. We fought, but it was futile. And in our desperation, we made a grave mistake…”

The room grew colder, and the faint sound of distant screams filled the air.

“What mistake?” Lina asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Illiana’s gaze turned to Kai, and for a moment, it seemed as though tears glimmered in her eyes.

“We tried to use the elements themselves to banish the shadows, but the balance was already broken. In our arrogance, we believed we could control what was never meant to be wielded so recklessly. My daughter... my sweet Kamina... was lost to the chaos. The valley was torn asunder, and the Guardians scattered.”

Her voice broke, and she turned away, her shoulders trembling.

“We failed them,” she said softly. “We failed you.”

The Guardians sat in stunned silence, the weight of her words pressing heavily on their hearts.

“But the shadows are returning,” Illiana continued, her voice regaining its strength. She turned back to them, her gaze fierce. “And this time, you must not make the same mistakes. Learn from our failures, and perhaps you can succeed where we did not.”

Her form began to fade, the spectral light dimming.

“Wait!” Kai called, rising to his feet. “What happened to Kamina? To my ancestor?”

Illiana’s fading voice was like the wind, carrying her final words.

“Kai... the answers lie with the shadows. Seek them, and you will find the truth.”

And then she was gone, leaving only silence and the weight of her story behind.