The Guardians woke to find themselves in the same grand but ruined house, though this time it wasn’t decayed or abandoned. The walls stood strong, the air was filled with warmth, and sunlight streamed through clean, unbroken windows. The group exchanged glances; this was no ordinary dream.

Kai’s breath caught in his throat as his eyes landed on the scene before him. A man sat cross-legged on the floor, laughing as he played with a young girl who giggled with delight. Kai recognized the moment—it was from his dream.

“That’s him,” Kai whispered, stepping forward instinctively. “That’s Karav... my ancestor.”

As if hearing his name, the man turned his head toward the door just as a voice called from outside. “Come, Karav! It’s nearly time!”

The man stood, lifting the girl into his arms, then setting her down with a pat on the head. He grabbed a bow and quiver leaning against the wall and strode toward the door. To the group’s shock, he passed directly through them, completely unaware of their presence.

Kai followed him, his friends close behind, out into a bustling city alive with energy and purpose. The streets were lined with colorful market stalls, and people moved about, chatting, laughing, and bartering. Children ran through the streets, their joyous cries adding to the vibrant symphony.

“It’s Kali’dar,” Reya murmured in awe. “In its prime.”

Ahead, Karav hurried toward a large crowd gathering in the town center. The Guardians trailed after him, weaving through the spectral echoes of a past long gone. As they reached the square, the obelisk that now dominated the ruins was conspicuously absent. Instead, a grand dais stood at the center, draped in flowing banners of white and gold.

A hush fell over the crowd as a woman stepped onto the dais. Her long black hair shimmered in the sunlight, and though her youthful face showed a slight nervousness, her voice was steady and strong.

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“Citizens of Kali’dar!” she proclaimed, her words ringing clear. “Welcome to the Day of Plenty!”

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, the sound reverberating through the square.

“That’s her,” Lina whispered. “That’s Sarlon. Or... it must be her, a younger version.”

The woman, Sarlon—or Illiana—raised her hands, and the crowd fell silent once more.

“The new Guardians have passed their trials and will join in the first binding of peace in our lands!”

She gestured to a man who stepped forward, tall and impeccably dressed. His strange, high-quality attire was unlike anything the Guardians had ever seen. He bowed deeply to Sarlon and spoke with an unfamiliar accent.

“I thank you, gracious Lady of Light, and I welcome the chance for our people to be one.”

He extended a large, black crystal, and Sarlon took it in her hands, murmuring an incantation. The crystal began to glow, a brilliant light emanating from its core, and the crowd erupted into shouts of joy.

Sarlon raised her voice once more, her tone formal and commanding.

“Guardian of Fire, Tilana, come forth!”

A young woman, no older than fifteen, stepped forward from the northern path. Her long red dress shimmered in the sunlight, and she moved with confidence. She clenched her right fist, crossed it over her chest in salute, and bowed deeply before extending her hand, which began to glow faintly.

“Guardian of Wind, Losia, come forth!” Sarlon called, turning to the east.

A small girl, barely ten years old, approached, her dress seemingly woven from the very wind. Her movements were light and graceful, and she performed the same salute before extending her glowing hand.

“Guardian of Water, Zulia, come forth!”

From the south, a young woman limped forward, her long blue dress flowing like water itself. Despite her heavy limp, she carried herself with pride and strength. She saluted and extended her glowing hand, her expression calm and resolute.

“Guardian of Earth, Tomis, come forth!”

Finally, from the west, a young man stepped into view. Lina gasped softly—she recognized him from her dream. His brown pants and green tunic accentuated his sturdy frame, though a fresh scar cut across his shoulder and chest. He moved with a slight limp, his steps slow but purposeful. He saluted with visible effort, his face betraying only a flicker of pain, and extended his glowing hand.

The four young Guardians stood in a semicircle before Sarlon, their hands glowing faintly with their respective elements. The black crystal in her hands pulsed with light, brighter and brighter, until—

Everything froze.

The crowd, the Guardians, even the sunlight seemed to still in time. The group stood frozen, watching the moment as if it were a painting suspended before them.

Then, without warning, the vision dissolved, and they woke up, gasping, back in the ruins of the house. The warmth and life were gone, replaced by the cold, desolate silence of reality.

They exchanged looks, their breaths coming fast and hearts pounding.

“What did we just see?” Amaya asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“The past,” Kai said, his hand unconsciously brushing against the bow at his back. “And maybe... a warning.”