The air grew heavier as Willie and Ghoida ventured further into Ventosca, the floating islands casting eerie shadows over the rocky terrain below. With each step, the artifact in Willie’s satchel pulsed faintly, a soft hum resonating through the air.
“You’re sure that thing isn’t going to explode?” Ghoida asked, glancing at the satchel.
Willie adjusted the strap nervously. “Pretty sure. Though, considering what happened in the temple, I wouldn’t rule out a few surprises.”
“Great,” Ghoida muttered, scanning the skies. “I don’t trust anything that glows and hums at the same time.”
They continued along a narrow path that wound its way toward the edge of the island. Far below, wisps of clouds obscured the ground, giving the impression that they were walking on the edge of the world.
“Do you think there’s more to these ruins?” Willie asked, breaking the silence.
“There’s always more,” Ghoida replied. “The question is whether we’re ready for it.”
As if in response, the wind picked up, howling through the jagged rocks. The hum of the artifact intensified, and Willie felt a sudden weight in his chest.
“Something’s wrong,” he said, his voice tight.
The ground beneath them trembled, and a low, guttural growl echoed through the air. From the shadows of a nearby crevice emerged a massive creature, its body a twisted amalgamation of stone and mist. Its glowing eyes locked onto them, and a deep, resonant roar shattered the stillness.
“A Sky Reaver,” Ghoida said, her voice steady but her grip tightening on her sword.
Willie stared at the creature, his mind racing. “You’ve fought one of these before?”
“No,” she admitted. “But there’s a first time for everything.”
The Sky Reaver lunged, its claws tearing through the air. Ghoida dove to the side, her sword flashing as she struck at its leg. The blade bit into the creature’s rocky exterior but barely left a mark.
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“It’s tougher than it looks!” she shouted, dodging another swipe.
Willie scrambled backward, clutching the artifact. The hum grew louder, almost deafening, as if it were reacting to the creature. Desperate for an idea, he held the artifact out, hoping for a response.
The runes flared to life, and a beam of light shot from the artifact, striking the Sky Reaver in the chest. The creature recoiled, roaring in pain as cracks spread across its body.
“Willie, whatever you’re doing, keep doing it!” Ghoida called, taking advantage of the distraction to slash at the creature’s exposed flank.
“I don’t know what I’m doing!” Willie yelled, struggling to keep the artifact steady.
The Sky Reaver reared up, its body glowing with a dark, malevolent energy. It slammed its claws into the ground, sending a shockwave that knocked both Willie and Ghoida off their feet.
Ghoida rolled to her knees, gritting her teeth. “Willie, we need to finish this—now!”
Willie scrambled to his feet, gripping the artifact tightly. The whispers he’d heard earlier returned, clearer now. They seemed to guide him, urging him to channel the energy within the artifact.
“Here goes nothing,” he muttered.
Focusing on the whispers, Willie directed the artifact’s energy toward the creature. The light intensified, enveloping the Sky Reaver in a radiant glow. The creature let out a final, ear-splitting roar before shattering into fragments of light and mist.
The silence that followed was almost deafening. Willie collapsed to his knees, the artifact dimming in his hands.
Ghoida approached him, her sword resting on her shoulder. “Not bad for someone who ‘doesn’t know what they’re doing.’”
Willie managed a weak laugh. “I think I’m starting to get the hang of it.”
Ghoida extended a hand, pulling him to his feet. “We should keep moving. If that thing was guarding something, it’s probably important.”
Together, they explored the area where the Sky Reaver had fallen. Amid the fragments of stone, they discovered a small, ornate box. Its surface was etched with the same runes as the artifact.
“What do you think’s inside?” Willie asked, examining the box.
“Only one way to find out,” Ghoida said.
Willie hesitated before opening the box. Inside was a shard of crystal, identical to the one he carried but smaller. It glowed faintly, its light pulsing in rhythm with the artifact.
“Another piece of the puzzle,” Ghoida said, eyeing the shard. “Let’s hope it’s worth the trouble.”
Willie nodded, slipping the shard into his satchel. As they resumed their journey, he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. The whispers in the wind seemed to follow them, growing louder with each step.
> End of Chapter 9