Rhyland lay slumped against the base of a gnarled tree, his breathing shallow and ragged. A deep bruise bloomed across his left shoulder where he'd collided with the willow. Elara knelt beside him, her face etched with worry. The crystalline shard pulsed warmly in her hand – its light seeming to mirror her concern.
"You need to rest," she said softly, attempting to staunch the flow of blood from his wound with a strip of cloth torn from her tunic.
"The Fen Guardian… it's stronger than I anticipated," Rhyland grunted, wincing in pain. "We must move quickly. Valerius will not cease his pursuit."
"But you need healing," Elara insisted. "I can try to use the shard's energy..." She hesitated, unsure of how such a thing might work.
Rhyland nodded weakly. "Attempt it. The crystal…it resonates with life force. It may offer some solace."
Elara closed her eyes, focusing on the shard's gentle pulse and visualizing healing energy flowing from it into Rhyland's injured shoulder. A warm sensation enveloped his body, easing his pain and accelerating the healing process. His breathing grew steadier, his color returning to a healthier hue.
"Remarkable," he murmured, opening his eyes with renewed clarity. "The shard…it's more than just a conduit for energy. It holds memories—echoes of Aerion's knowledge."
He instructed Elara to hold the shard close and focus her mind. As she did, fragmented images flooded her consciousness – glimpses of Aerion working within his laboratory, chanting in an ancient language, manipulating crystalline energies with astonishing precision.
"The shards are not merely components for the ritual," Rhyland explained as the visions subsided. "They are keys—keys to unlocking the Sylvani's lost knowledge. Each shard holds a fragment of their understanding—a piece of the puzzle that will allow us to restore balance to the Mist." He paused, studying Elara intently. "You have an aptitude for this, child. A natural resonance with the crystalline energies."
Suddenly, they heard the snap of twigs nearby - Valerius's soldiers were closing in.
"We must move," Rhyland said urgently, leaning heavily on his staff. "The second shard lies within the Sunken Ruins—a place shrouded in shadow and guarded by ancient traps." He pointed towards a faint trail leading deeper into the Fen. "It is our only path forward."