The teardrop-shaped crystal rested in Richard's palm, emitting a soft blue-silver glow. In the evening light, the swirls within the fragment seemed to come alive, as if containing a miniature storm. Although similar in size to the first fragment he had obtained in the other temple, this one had a completely different essence—it felt surprisingly light, almost as if it wanted to float.
"This fragment seems... different from the first one," commented Richard, turning the crystal between his fingers. "I can feel something distinct in it."
Elyndra nodded, observing the fragment with a knowing look.
"Each fragment has its own nature, its own element. The first one you obtained was linked to pure knowledge, a sort of nexus between the fragments. This one—" she pointed to the crystal "—is connected to wind and air, to truth and secrets that travel on invisible currents."
Richard remembered the voice from the first temple, which had told him about gathering the ten fragments to maintain the balance between worlds. Now he held the second one in his hands, and the responsibility felt more real than ever.
"How was your trial?" he asked Elyndra, without taking his eyes off the fragment.
She remained silent for a moment, her face showing the mark of a profound experience.
"Different from yours," she finally responded. "The temples present challenges tailored to each visitor. For me..." her voice broke slightly. "Let's just say I had to confront past decisions I thought were buried."
Richard nodded, respecting her reticence. Both needed time to process what had happened.
They sat on a rocky formation that offered them a panoramic view of the valley. Shadows lengthened as the sun descended, tinting everything in orange and violet hues. Below, the bodies of the organization's agents remained motionless, a silent reminder of how dangerous the temple could be for the unprepared.
"The first fragment showed me visions, told me about the balance between worlds," said Richard, thoughtfully. "Does this one also contain knowledge? How do I access it?"
Elyndra extended her hand toward the fragment, stopping a few centimeters without touching it.
"The fragment you obtained in the first temple showed you the purpose, the mission. This one will give you tools to fulfill it," she explained. "The Primordial Fragments contain pure essences of power and wisdom. To access them..." she paused, carefully choosing her words. "You must incorporate them into yourself, just as you instinctively did with the first one."
Richard remembered that first experience, how the fragment seemed to have merged with his being. Now he understood it hadn't been coincidence.
"Absorb it?" he asked, looking at the crystal with renewed understanding.
"Yes. The fragment must become part of you, as the first one did."
Richard looked at the crystal again with caution.
"The last time was... intense. Is it safe?"
An ironic smile crossed Elyndra's face.
"After what we just went through? No, it's probably not 'safe.' But it is necessary. Each fragment will bring you closer to what you need to become."
Richard weighed her words. If he wanted to continue this path, if he wanted to truly understand what was happening and protect both worlds as the voice from the first temple had entrusted him to do, he couldn't turn back now. He breathed deeply.
"What should I do?"
"Hold it with both hands," instructed Elyndra. "Close your eyes and visualize the fragment dissolving, merging with your being. Your System will probably facilitate the process."
Richard followed her instructions. He held the crystal between his palms and closed his eyes. At first, he felt nothing but the soft coldness of the crystal. Then, concentrating, he visualized the fragment melting, integrating with his body, his mind, his mana—similar to how the first fragment had united with him, but now consciously and controlled.
A subtle vibration began to emanate from the crystal. The cold gave way to a warmth that spread from his palms to his arms. Richard maintained the visualization, allowing the sensation to intensify.
Suddenly, the crystal emitted a flash so bright that Richard could perceive it through his closed eyelids. The warmth transformed into a torrent of energy that flowed through his veins, ascending from his arms to reach his chest. His breathing accelerated, and a growing pressure accumulated in his head.
And then, the physical sensations gave way to something completely different.
Richard found himself in the midst of a cyclone of images and sensations. He saw ancient civilizations building temples on impossible mountains. He witnessed rituals where wind masters created storms with simple gestures. He felt in his own skin how it felt to fly without wings, supported only by air currents manipulated with exquisite precision.
Knowledge about the nature of air and wind flowed into him: how air transports energy, how it interacts with other elements, how it can be molded to create from the lightest breeze to the most devastating tornado. But beyond mere physical manipulation, he understood more subtle aspects: how air is the medium for sound, voice, word. How wind can transport memories, emotions, truths.
As the avalanche of knowledge continued, Richard experienced a strange sensation, as if something inside him was expanding to accommodate this new information. It wasn't painful, but intensely disorienting, as if the boundaries of his being were being redefined.
Then, as abruptly as it had begun, the experience ended. Richard opened his eyes, gasping. The crystal had disappeared from his hands. He looked at Elyndra, who was watching him with a mixture of fascination and concern.
"Are you all right?" she asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Richard nodded, unable to speak for a moment. His mind processed the experience, trying to integrate the torrent of information. He felt different, as if there was something new inside him, something vast and intangible at the same time.
Then, a notification from the System appeared:
**[Primordial Fragment acquired: "Breath of the Sage"]**
**[2/10 Primordial Fragments collected]**
**[New ability unlocked: "Current Comprehension"]**
**[Ability "Wind Shield" improved → "Wind Manipulation"]**
**[Mana reserve increased: 25 → 30]**
"Two out of ten," murmured Richard, reading the notification. "One more step on the path."
"Each fragment will bring you closer to completing the cycle," confirmed Elyndra. "Ten fundamental aspects of reality, created when the Veil formed. The first fragment showed you the purpose; the rest will give you the power to fulfill it."
Richard concentrated on the new abilities he had acquired. "Current Comprehension" seemed to allow him to perceive air flows around him in greater detail, like a specialized version of his "Echo Vision." And "Wind Manipulation" was clearly an evolution of his "Wind Shield," offering him more versatile control over the element.
He tested the new ability, extending his hand toward a small nearby stone. He visualized a current of air lifting it. To his surprise, the stone rose gently, floating a few centimeters from the ground before falling back when he broke his concentration.
"Incredible," he whispered. "The first fragment gave me knowledge, but this one... this one gives me real power."
"And this is just the beginning," said Elyndra, with a note of admiration in her voice. "Each fragment you acquire will expand your capabilities in ways you can't even imagine. But also..."
She interrupted herself, looking toward the horizon with a worried expression.
"Also what?" pressed Richard.
"It will also make you more detectable," she completed. "Each fragment you absorb changes your energy signature. Those who seek the fragments will be able to sense you more easily."
"The organization," murmured Richard, remembering his encounter with the blue fire mage.
Elyndra nodded gravely.
"And others. As the first fragment showed you, there are forces beyond the Veil that have been waiting for a long time. If the Veil weakens enough..."
She left the phrase unfinished, but Richard could imagine the implications. If beings like the Sylvans existed, what other entities might inhabit that Other Side? And what would happen if they found a way to cross over?
The daylight had almost completely vanished, giving way to deep twilight. The first stars began to shine in the eastern sky.
"We should rest here tonight," suggested Elyndra. "Tomorrow we'll need to begin the journey to the next temple."
Richard nodded, helping her prepare a small camp protected by the rocky overhang. As they lit a modest campfire, Richard couldn't stop thinking about everything he had learned and experienced in a single day.
"Where is the next temple?" he finally asked, as they shared a meager dinner of rations.
Elyndra took out a small worn map from her bag. She spread it between them, in the flickering light of the fire.
"Here," she pointed to a spot in a region that seemed to be covered in dense vegetation. "The Temple of Deep Roots. It's in the heart of the Umbral Forest, several days' journey from here."
Richard studied the map. The distance was considerable, and the terrain seemed complicated.
"What do you know about that temple?"
Elyndra seemed to hesitate before responding.
"If the Temple of the Whispering Peaks is linked to air and truth, the one of Deep Roots is associated with earth and time," she explained cautiously. "It's said that inside that temple, time flows differently. Some who have entered have emerged minutes later only to discover that years have passed outside. Others..."
"Others what?"
"Others aged decades in what for the outside world were seconds," she completed with a grave voice. "The temple plays with the flow of time."
A shiver ran down Richard's spine. The implications were terrifying.
"And what fragment does it guard?"
"The 'Core of the Eternal,'" responded Elyndra. "It contains knowledge about the nature of earth and time, about permanence and change."
Richard remained silent, processing this information. Each new fragment represented immense power, but also an increasing risk. And there were still eight to find.
That night, while Elyndra slept, Richard stayed awake, contemplating the stars. He experimented with his new ability, creating small air currents that made the campfire flames dance. He felt the mana flow differently now, more natural, less mechanical.
Something was changing in him, something fundamental. The Richard who had begun this journey no longer existed. The question was: what was he becoming?
As he contemplated this idea, a soft sound alerted him. He turned quickly, scrutinizing the darkness. For an instant, he thought he saw a figure among the distant rocks, watching them. He activated his "Echo Vision," but when he looked again, there was nothing there.
A residual illusion from the temple? Or something more sinister?
Richard kept guard for the rest of the night, but nothing else disturbed his vigil. However, the sensation of being watched persisted until the first ray of sun appeared on the horizon, announcing the beginning of a new stage in his journey.
With two fragments in his possession and eight still to find, Richard knew the path would be long and dangerous. But he also knew that each step brought him closer to understanding the true purpose of his mission and the role he was to play in the balance between worlds.