The forest loomed around us, its dense canopy blocking most of the sunlight. The air was thick with moisture, the scent of moss and damp earth clinging to every breath. Each step forward felt heavier than the last, though I couldn't tell whether it was the weight of the journey or the unspoken tension between us.

Resna walked ahead, her movements nearly silent. Even in the stillness of the forest, her steps barely made a sound, a testament to her training. Aric followed close behind me, his armour clinking softly with every stride. The shard pulsed faintly in my chest, a quiet rhythm that aligned with my heartbeat.

"This place feels wrong," Resna muttered, breaking the silence. Her voice was low, cautious. "Like it's watching us."

She wasn't wrong. Though I couldn't see, I could feel the weight of the forest pressing down on us, the air charged with something unnatural. My fingers tightened around my cane, the shard's hum sharpening slightly as if responding to the unease.

"We're close," I said quietly. The vibrations in the air were faint but growing stronger with every step. "Whatever's here... it's ahead."

The clearing came into focus abruptly, the dense trees giving way to an open space littered with jagged rocks and scattered debris. At the centre stood a broken pedestal, its surface cracked and weathered with age. The shard in my chest pulsed sharply as we approached, its energy prickling along my skin.

"This is it," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Resna crouched beside the pedestal, her fingers brushing against the stone. "It's ancient," she said, her tone laced with unease. "And it's been used recently. Look at the markings—these aren't just relics. Someone's trying to activate them."

Aric stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "And what exactly are they trying to activate?"

"Corruption," I said. The shard's energy surged, painting a vivid picture in my mind. The vibrations around the pedestal were chaotic, twisting and spiralling like a storm. "The magic here isn't stable. It's feeding on itself."

Before anyone could respond, a low growl cut through the air. My head snapped toward the sound, the shard's hum spiking. The ground beneath us seemed to vibrate as something heavy moved through the forest.

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"We're not alone," Resna said, her voice tight. She drew her bow, the creak of the string pulling taut and breaking the silence.

The first creature emerged from the shadows, its form distorted and unnatural. It was large, its body twisted by whatever magic had consumed it. Its claws scraped against the ground as it lunged toward us, its growl rising into a snarl.

"Move!" Aric shouted, stepping in front of me. His sword clashed against the creature's claws, the impact ringing out like a bell.

Resna loosed an arrow, the shaft sinking into the creature's side. It roared in pain, its movements growing more erratic. The shard's hum sharpened, and I moved instinctively, using my cane to strike the ground. The vibrations helped me track the creature's steps, giving me a sense of its position.

"There's more!" Resna shouted, her voice rising with urgency. Another growl echoed through the clearing, followed by branches snapping. The second creature was faster, its steps lighter but just as deadly.

"I've got it!" I called, turning toward the vibrations. The shard's energy guided me as I swung my cane, the reinforced tip striking the creature's leg. It stumbled, letting out a guttural cry before collapsing to the ground.

Aric finished the first creature with a sharp thrust of his sword, his breathing heavy. "Is that all of them?" he asked, his tone edged with frustration.

Resna scanned the clearing, her bow still drawn. "For now."

The silence that followed was oppressive. I could feel the weight of the battle lingering in the air, the shard's hum still sharp in my chest. Resna approached the pedestal cautiously, her steps deliberate. "Whatever's causing this... it's tied to this place."

I nodded, the shard's energy aligning with the chaotic vibrations around the pedestal. "It's a fragment," I said. "Like the Warden said. A remnant of something larger."

"And how do we stop it?" Aric asked, his tone sharp.

"We break the connection," I replied. The shard pulsed sharply, its energy urging me forward. I reached out, my fingers brushing against the cold stone of the pedestal. The magic within it surged, pushing back against me like a living thing.

"Careful, Caelan," Resna warned. "That's not something you can just destroy."

"I'm not trying to destroy it," I said, focusing on the shard's rhythm. "I'm trying to contain it."

The magic fought against me, its chaotic energy burning against my senses. I gritted my teeth, the shard's hum growing louder as I pushed through the resistance. Slowly, the vibrations began to calm, the storm within the pedestal subsiding.

When it was over, I staggered back, my chest heaving. The shard's hum quieted, its energy settling into a faint pulse. The pedestal was still, the magic within it dormant—for now.

"That was reckless," Resna said, her voice a mix of relief and frustration. "You could've gotten yourself killed."

"I didn't," I replied, though my exhaustion was evident. "And now we know what we're dealing with."

Aric shook his head, his expression unreadable. "This is just the beginning, isn't it?"

I nodded. "If there are more fragments out there, we must find them. And fast."

The clearing fell silent as we prepared to leave, the weight of what we'd faced settling over us. The shard pulsed faintly, its rhythm a quiet reminder of the path ahead.

This was only the first step.