The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor. The Throne of Beasts lay silent behind them, its ancient stones still humming with residual energy from the previous night's battle. Lyra and the protagonist stood at the edge of the clearing, the corrupted core pulsing faintly in Lyra's gloved hand.
"This core… it's unlike any I've seen," Lyra murmured, her eyes narrowing. "The corruption runs deeper than just the surface."Royal Road
The protagonist nodded, his gaze fixed on the dark crystal. "It's as if the Void itself is trying to anchor into our world through these beasts."
They began their journey eastward, following the map etched into the stone tablet from the altar. The path led them through dense forests and across mist-laden valleys, the air growing heavier with each step. The land itself seemed to resist their passage, the very earth groaning under the weight of an unseen force.
As they trekked, the protagonist felt a growing connection to the mana around him. It was as if the battle at the Throne had unlocked a new sensitivity within him. He could sense the ebb and flow of energy in the environment, the subtle currents that wove through the world like an invisible tapestry.
One evening, as they made camp beside a tranquil stream, the protagonist sat in meditation, focusing on the mana threads he now perceived. He reached out with his senses, touching the energy that flowed through the water, the trees, the very air. It responded to his presence, swirling around him in a gentle dance.
Lyra watched from across the fire, her expression thoughtful. "You're attuning to the world's mana," she said softly. "Few can achieve such a connection."
He opened his eyes, the glow of the fire reflecting in his irises. "It's like the world is speaking to me," he whispered. "Telling me its secrets."
Lyra nodded. "Mana is the lifeblood of Viraelon. It's in everything, connecting all living beings. Those who can hear its song can tap into powers beyond imagination."
They continued their journey, the landscape growing more twisted and corrupted. Trees stood gnarled and blackened, their leaves withered and falling like ash. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the ground oozed with a viscous, dark substance.
One night, as they camped in a small clearing, the protagonist was awakened by a whispering voice. He sat up, scanning the darkness, but saw nothing. The voice came again, a soft murmur that seemed to emanate from the very earth.
"Bearer of Flame… the key lies within…"
He stood, heart pounding, and followed the voice into the forest. The trees parted before him, revealing a hidden glade bathed in ethereal light. At its center stood a stone monolith, covered in ancient runes that glowed with a soft, golden hue.
As he approached, the runes flared, and a beam of light shot into the sky. The ground trembled, and the monolith cracked open, revealing a hidden chamber beneath.
Inside, he found a vast cavern filled with crystalline structures that pulsed with mana. In the center stood a pedestal, upon which rested a tome bound in dragonhide. He approached and opened it, the pages filled with intricate diagrams and writings in a language he somehow understood.
The tome spoke of the Origin Beasts, primordial entities that embodied the fundamental forces of nature. Emberfang was one, the Beast of Flame. The others represented Water, Earth, Air, and Spirit. Together, they maintained the balance of the world.The Fantasy Books
But the tome also warned of a great danger: a being known as the Seared One, who sought to merge the powers of the Origin Beasts to become a god. His actions had caused the first great cataclysm, and his essence had been sealed away.Now, the seals were weakening.
The protagonist closed the tome, his mind racing. He understood now that his bond with Emberfang was not just a gift, but a responsibility. He was a guardian, chosen to prevent the return of the Seared One.
Returning to camp, he shared his discovery with Lyra. She listened intently, her expression grave.
"The Seared One's return would mean the end of Viraelon," she said. "We must find the remaining shrines and awaken the other Origin Beasts. Only together can they restore balance."
Their path was clear. They would seek out the shrines, confront the growing corruption, and prepare for the battle to come. The fate of their world depended on it.