Auraleaf's people emerged under the lanterns as Lila, Eron, and Elin prepared to descend into the Core of the Heartstone.
The Heartstone, a massive crystal anchored in the earth beneath Auraleaf, pulsed with soft light, harmonious with the light of the pendant in Lila's hand. It was reported that the Heartstone stood there when the Lantern Keepers arrived, balancing worlds.
It was calling.
The Entrance
At dawn, Lantern Keepers formed a guard in a ring around the Heartstone chamber. Elin opened the Book of Eternity and read the invocation:
"Lantern of dawn, lantern of dusk, open the path where shadows trust."
There was a soft hum in the chamber as a crystal spiral staircase appeared on the side of the Heartstone, descending to blue light.
Lila held the pendant, taking a deep breath before stepping onto the first crystal stair.
Eron and Elin came after her, lanterns floating around them, lighting their way as they made their way down into the ancient core of Auraleaf.
The Crystal Cavern
They entered a large cavern where streaks of blue-glowing crystal pulsed like a heartbeat along the walls. Crystal stalactites and stalagmites whispered softly, vibrating to the light of the pendant.
In the center of the cavern, a radiant crystal sphere hovered above a fountain of glinting water, and in a whirlpool of blue and silver cast lantern light.
The tone of Elin was soft. "The Core."
As they approached, the fountain churned, and out of it, three guardian spirits arose, each appearing as a lantern flame in form, shifting between light and darkness.
The Trial of Balance
The spirits chimed in unison, voices sounding like wind chimes:
In order to claim the fourth Key, the wearer will need to show unity of light and shadow, courage over fear, and the promise to protect the dawn."
The spirits formed a circle around Lila, showing visions in the whirling light:
The little girl she used to be, crying in the hospital.
Her standing at the Gate of Dawn, facing herself in the dark.
Auraleaf torched by shadow storms if she did not.
Lila closed her eyes, holding the pendant, whispering:
"I am not flawless. I am afraid. But I will not abandon them. I will guard this light, even if I walk in the shadow to protect it."
The pendant shone, the dark crystal within throbbing, and for a moment, twilight light radiated from Lila, mixing dawn and evening in a peaceful, golden light.
The Fourth Key: Calenyr
The shapes of the spirits shifted, kneeling before Lila as a single word echoed through the cavern:
"Calenyr."
The pendant emitted warm blue light as Lila spoke it aloud:
"Calenyr."
The floating crystal orb shattered open, releasing a blue flame, which drifted into the pendant, mingling with the silver and darkness within.
Above, the Book of Eternity unfolded, a fourth rune burning on the map of the Gate of Dawn:
"Calenyr."
The Return
As they ascended from the Heartstone's Core, the crystal steps fading behind them, the pendant's light harmonized with the lanterns above, now blue-silver and beating brighter and more serenely than before.
Eron expelled a breath, a rare smile upon his lips. "Four Keys."
Elin closed the Book slowly. "And three remaining."
Lila looked up at the lanterns, her pendant glimmering, reflected in her determined eyes.
And when the seventh Key is uttered, the Gate of Dawn will open.
There was a vibration through the earth, as if the realms themselves welcomed the moment.
And at the sky above Auraleaf, dawn dawned, the lanterns burning in the sky, as on the horizon a very light glow hinted that the Gate of Dawn was awakening.