Galen's world had shattered, and now it was twisting into something alien and terrifying. The masked guards flanking him moved with an unsettling fluidity, their steps too smooth, too synchronized. Their masks, adorned with swirling patterns that seemed to move of their own accord, depicted creatures that existed only in nightmares – snarling wolves with too many eyes, ravens with human teeth, serpents that coiled into impossible knots.

As they led him through the shimmering portal, Galen caught a final glimpse of Elden and Gertrude. Their faces were etched with helpless rage and sorrow. He wanted to scream, but something held him back. It wasn't just fear or shock; there was a cold, alien presence in his chest, as if his very emotions had been locked away.

As the portal closed behind him, cutting off his last glimpse of Elden's anguished face, Galen felt a peculiar pang as his surroundings shifted. The Empatheum loomed before him, a sight that stole what little breath remained in his lungs. Galen had grown up hearing tales of the great cities, but nothing in his limited experience had prepared him for this. Gleaming spires of crystal and light stretched impossibly high, their tips disappearing into clouds that shimmered with a warm soothing magic. The very air seemed alive, pulsing with colors he had no names for.

Bridges of pure light arced between the towers, and Galen watched in awe as Empaths glided across them, their robes billowing in an unfelt wind. The ground beneath his feet was no simple stone, but a mosaic of swirling patterns that shifted and changed with each step.

"Magnificent, isn't it?" Equinox's voice jolted Galen from his reverie. Her hand rested on his shoulder, gentle but unyielding. "Few outsiders ever lay eyes on the heart of Empyrea."

Galen swallowed hard, his street-honed instincts kicking in despite the emotional dampening. "It's... something," he managed, keeping his tone carefully neutral. "But I don't understand. Why bring me here? Why not just let Gertrude help me?"

Equinox's lips curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Oh, my dear boy. Gertrude means well, but she lacks... perspective. The power you wield, it's far too important to be left in the hands of a renegade Empath and her..." She paused, searching for the right word. "Associates."

"You mean Elden," Galen pressed, watching Equinox's face closely for any reaction. "He seemed to know a lot about time magic. Couldn't he teach me?"

"Elden Vortis," Equinox said, her tone dripping with false concern, "is a dangerous fugitive. Whatever he's told you, whatever he's promised, you can't trust him."

Galen felt a flicker of defiance. "And I'm supposed to trust you instead? Someone who ripped me away from the only people who've shown me kindness since..." He trailed off, the memory of Heartwood's destruction still too raw.

For a moment, something like genuine emotion flashed across Equinox's face. "I know this is difficult, Galen. But in time, you'll understand. Everything I do, I do for the greater good of Empyrea – of all Aethoria."

As they walked through the grand corridors of the Empatheum, Galen's unease grew. The Empaths they passed moved with an eerie synchronicity, their eyes glazed and unfocused. Even the emotion guards, with their ornate masks depicting serene faces, seemed to be going through the motions without true awareness.

"Is everyone always so... quiet?" Galen asked, trying to keep his voice casual.

Equinox's grip on his shoulder tightened almost imperceptibly. "The work we do here requires great concentration, Galen. Emotion magic is a delicate art."

But Galen's sharp eyes caught the tension in her jaw, the way her gaze darted to the shadows as if watching for unseen observers. Whatever was happening in the Empatheum, Equinox wasn't entirely in control – or entirely comfortable with it.

As they approached a set of towering doors emblazoned with pulsing sigils, Galen's mind raced. He needed to find a way out, to get word to Elden or Gertrude. But for now, his only weapon was observation. He'd bide his time, gather information, and wait for his chance.

"Welcome," Equinox said as the doors swung open, revealing a vast chamber filled with swirling mists and floating crystals, "to the heart of Empyrea's future."

---

Back in the ruins of Heartwood, Elden paced furiously, his magic energy crackling around him in agitated bursts. The air shimmered with temporal distortions, mirroring his turbulent emotions.

"We have to do something, Gertrude!" he exclaimed, his voice raw with frustration. "We can't just leave Galen in their hands! Who knows what Equinox is planning?"

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Gertrude stood still, her eyes closed in concentration. When she opened them, there was a fire burning in their depths that matched Elden's own. "And what do you propose?" she asked, her tone sharp. "That we storm the Empatheum? Take on the entire Empath Council and our legion of Emotion guards with just the two of us?"

Elden's fists clenched at his sides. "If that's what it takes! We can't abandon him. Not after everything he's been through."

"And how would that help Galen?" Gertrude countered. "We'd be labeled rebels, thrown into the Heartstring Severing Prison. We'd be playing right into Equinox's hands."

"So we do nothing?" Elden's voice cracked with emotion. "Just let her win?"

Gertrude's expression softened. "Oh, Elden. We're not going to do nothing. But we need to be smart about this. Equinox has the law on her side – for now. We need to beat her at her own game."

Elden took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. "Alright," he said, his tone steadier. "What do you suggest?"

Gertrude's lips curved into a grim smile. "We divide and conquer. I'll make a formal appeal to the Empath Council for guardianship over Galen."

"And you think they'll listen?" Elden asked, skepticism clear in his voice. "After everything that's happened?"

"They'll have to," Gertrude replied. "In Empyrea, such trials are bound by law path magic. No one can lie, and everyone's emotional state is laid bare for all to see."

Elden's brow furrowed. "Law path magic? I've heard of it being used for merchant contracts and trade agreements, but never in a trial."

"That's because it's rarely necessary," Gertrude explained. "But in cases like this, where the stakes are so high, it's the only way to ensure true justice."

"I don't understand," Elden pressed. "How does it work?"

Gertrude's eyes took on a faraway look, as if remembering a distant past. "Law path is a specialized form of emotion magic. It binds words and intentions into unbreakable contracts. In a trial, it creates a field of absolute truth. Lies become impossible, hidden motives are revealed, and even the subtlest deceptions are laid bare."

She paused, a hint of pride creeping into her voice. "I should know. I was one of its founders."

Elden's eyes widened in surprise. "You created law path magic?"

Gertrude nodded. "Along with a few others, yes. It was born from our work on the Timeless Seal, actually. We realized that the principles we used to bind time and memory could be applied to emotions and intent."

Hope flickered in Elden's chest. "So Equinox won't be able to hide her true intentions? We can expose whatever she's planning?"

Gertrude's expression darkened. "That's what worries me. Equinox is many things, but she's not a fool. She wouldn't have made this move if she wasn't confident in her position. Whatever game she's playing, she believes she can win even with the truth laid bare."

Elden nodded, understanding dawning. "So while you fight this battle in the council chambers..."

"You need to unlock the secret your father left you," Gertrude finished.

"The final layer," Elden protested. "We’ve tried—"

Gertrude placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch warm and reassuring. "Your father created the Timeless Seal to protect something of immense importance. Whatever is hidden within that pendant, I believe it's crucial to unraveling the mystery of the Shattering itself."

Elden's hand went to the pendant, feeling its familiar weight against his chest. He thought of everything that had led him to this moment – his father's murder, his flight from Mnemosyne, the revelation of his chrono magic abilities. And now Galen, a boy out of time, in the clutches of those who would use him for their own ends.

"Alright," he said finally, resolve hardening in his voice. "I'll do it. But Gertrude, if anything goes wrong, if you sense any danger..."

"I'll send word," she assured him.

As they prepared to part ways, Gertrude's expression grew grave. "Be careful," she warned. "I fear we're walking into a trap far more elaborate than we realize. Equinox's reach may extend further than we know."

Elden nodded, his jaw set with determination. "You too. And Gertrude... thank you. For everything."

With a final shared look of understanding, they separated – Gertrude towards the shimmering portal that would take her back to Empyrea, Elden deeper into the ruins of Heartwood, seeking a quiet place to confront the mystery his father had left behind.

Taking a deep breath, Elden turned away from the fading portal. His fingers closed around the pendant, feeling the pulse of ancient magic within. It was time to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.

With each step deeper into the ruins, the weight of destiny seemed to press heavier upon Elden's shoulders. As he found a secluded spot among the crumbling remnants of Heartwood, Elden steeled himself for what was to come.

He sat cross-legged on the ground, cradling the pendant in his palms. Closing his eyes, Elden reached deep into his Wellspring, channeling every ounce of his chrono magic into the ancient artifact. As the world faded away around him, one thought burned in his mind:

*I'm coming, Galen. Hold on.*