The sky turned from sapphire to storm as Jack, Nyssa, and Kael climbed the jagged trail that led to the Sky Temple. The peaks of the Cloudspine Mountains pierced the heavens, hidden behind thick veils of mist and rolling thunder. This realm, high above the earth, felt untouched by time—sacred and eternal.
But something was wrong.
"The air is too still," Nyssa murmured, hand on the hilt of her blade.
Kael frowned. "We're being watched."
They crested the ridge and found the entrance to the Sky Temple—an enormous gateway carved into the mountain's face, with celestial runes etched into the stone. But as they drew close, a sudden, keening cry pierced the wind.
From the clouds above, a massive winged serpent descended—its scales like night, its eyes glowing red. Its body shimmered with dark magic.
"The Shade Serpent," Jack whispered. "Isolde sent it."
The beast landed with a crash that shook the mountain, its long body coiling around the stone path. With a hiss that made their bones vibrate, it lunged.
"Scatter!" Nyssa shouted.
The battle erupted. Kael summoned wards of air to deflect the serpent's strikes, but even his strongest shields faltered under its raw power. Jack tried moonlight spells, but the beast absorbed them like shadow drinking light.
"This isn't working!" Jack yelled.
"It feeds on light," Kael shouted back. "Try water—purity!"
Jack nodded, focusing hard, remembering Auren's teachings. He raised both hands.
"Syla'noré!"
Water surged from thin air, crashing into the serpent with cleansing force. The serpent shrieked, steam hissing from its scales.
"Again!" Nyssa leapt in, slicing a glowing vein along its throat. Kael followed with a bolt of crackling wind. Jack summoned a torrent of enchanted rain that doused the serpent in radiant droplets.
With one final roar, the Shade Serpent disintegrated into ash, vanishing into the mountain breeze.
The path to the Sky Temple opened at last.
—
Inside, the Sky Temple was a dome of glowing crystal, suspended in open air. A staircase spiraled toward a pedestal that held the second artifact—a golden orb pulsating with rhythmic light.
But as they approached, a voice echoed through the chamber:
"Only those who understand the stars may claim their fire. Speak the truth, or be turned to dust."
A riddle appeared in the air, written in glowing script:
"I have no voice, yet I speak to you.
I tell of stories, old and new.
I shine, but I do not burn.
I guide, yet never turn.
What am I?"
Jack furrowed his brow. "A… a lantern?"
"No, that burns," Nyssa said. "It shines, but it's not what the riddle means."
"Maybe it's a ghost?" Jack offered.
"The stars," Kael whispered, eyes wide. "It's the stars."
Nyssa and Jack turned to him.
"They shine without burning. They guided ancient travelers. They tell stories—constellations. And they never move, at least from our point of view."
Kael stepped forward and spoke aloud:
"Stars."
The temple pulsed.
The orb lifted gently from the pedestal and floated to Jack's outstretched hand. As he touched it, warmth spread through his chest, and he saw another vision—Thalon's voice whispering through constellations, guiding him.
Kael smirked. "Guess I'm good for more than just wind spells."
Nyssa grinned. "You saved us, moonbrain."
Jack laughed breathlessly. "Two down. One more to go."
—
Far away, Isolde shattered a mirror in rage. Her minions cowered.
"The fools made it to the second?" Her eyes burned. "Then they're closer than I thought."
She turned to the darkness, her voice venom.
"Prepare the third realm. I want them broken… not dead. Not yet."