The weight of silence was suffocating as Jace and Aila made their way through the crumbling corridors of the ancient temple. The oppressive darkness left behind by the Phantom King seemed to linger, watching their every move. The shard in Jace’s palm was cool now, it's earlier ferocity quelled, but he could still feel it's faint pulse like a heartbeat tethered to his own.“Jace,” Aila said, her voice soft but urgent. “We need to talk about what just happened.”Jace didn’t stop walking. His sword was still in his hand, though it dragged slightly now, his arm heavy with exhaustion. “What’s there to talk about? I kept the shard out of his hands. That’s a win, isn’t it?”Aila grabbed his arm, forcing him to turn and face her. Her eyes were sharp, cutting through the haze of his thoughts. “You didn’t just keep it out of his hands, you wielded it, Jace. Do you even understand what that means?”Jace frowned, pulling his arm away. “I did what I had to. What else was I supposed to do? Let him

The next chamber was a sprawling cavern that pulsed with an unnatural red light. Massive, jagged crystals jutted from the floor and walls, their surfaces slick with an oily sheen. The oppressive heat radiating from the glowing chasm at the center made the air shimmer and distorted their vision. Somewhere in the depths of this treacherous place lay the ancient forge, their only hope of severing the shard’s connection to the Phantom King.Jace tightened his grip on his sword, his knuckles white. "This place feels… wrong."Aila, mask firmly back in place, nodded grimly. Her staff glowed faintly in her hand, it's light struggling against the oppressive shadows. "It’s not just the shard. This entire temple is tied to the Phantom King’s essence. The closer we get to the forge, the more his power will manifest."Jace glanced around warily, his senses on high alert. "Let’s just hope we’re ready for whatever he throws at us next."They moved cautiously, navigating the treacherous terrain. The

The fall seemed endless. Aila felt the wind whipping past her, her heart hammering in her chest as she reached out blindly in the darkness. Just as panic began to set in, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close.“I’ve got you,” Jace’s voice cut through the rushing air, calm and steady despite their freefall.Aila clung to him, burying her face in his chest as they descended into the unknown. She could feel his heartbeat, strong, unwavering. Somehow, it grounded her, soothing the fear that had threatened to consume her.A sudden burst of energy erupted from Jace’s hand as he plunged his sword into the rocky wall beside them, slowing their descent with a shower of sparks. They landed with a bone-jarring thud on a platform below, the impact knocking the breath from Aila’s lungs.Jace helped her to her feet, his hands firm but gentle. “You okay?” he asked, his blue eyes scanning her for injuries.Aila nodded, her voice shaky. “Thanks to you.”Before Jace could reply, the

The camp was alive with quiet celebration when Jace, Aila, and the Vanguard returned. Fires burned low, casting flickering light over the weary but determined faces of the soldiers. Word of the battle in the tunnels spread quickly, and as Jace and Aila passed through the camp, warriors paused to nod in respect or murmur their gratitude.“I think they’re starting to believe in us,” Aila said softly, her eyes scanning the crowd.Jace glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “They should. You’re giving them hope.”She smiled faintly but said nothing, unsure how to respond.As they neared the command tent, Kael stepped in front of them, her arms crossed over her chest. “We’ve gathered the council. They want to hear the full account of what happened, and your plan for the Luminal Heart.”Jace nodded. “Good. Let’s not waste time.”Kael led them inside, where a group of Vanguard leaders were waiting. Maps of the cavern network were spread across the table, marked with notes and runes indic

The air crackled with an unnatural energy as the Phantom King loomed over them, his form shifting and flickering like a living shadow. His eyes, burning with cold fire, locked onto Jace. The Guardian tightened his grip on his sword, the blue flames licking up the blade brighter than ever."You should have stayed hidden," the Phantom King said, his voice deep and resonant, reverberating through the cavern. "This defiance is futile."Jace stepped forward, shielding the group with his presence. "We’re not here to talk."The Phantom King extended a clawed hand, and the shadows surged forward like a wave. Jace swung his sword, the blue flames cleaving through the darkness, but it was unrelenting. The shadows twisted around the flames, reforming into spiked tendrils that lashed out. Kael leapt to his side, her shield glowing with protective runes as she blocked the incoming assault.Ryn darted between the chaos, knives flashing as he aimed for weak spots in the Phantom King's ethereal form.