Kael and Liora emerged from the outpost, the second shard's ominous pulse still echoing in their minds. The early morning air was crisp, the citadel of Elderglow a silhouette against the rising sun. With Veyra's threat fresh, they rallied a small team to pursue her across the Borderlands, the rugged terrain a blur beneath their hurried steps.
The chase led them to a ravine, where Veyra's figure darted between rocks, the shard's faint glow guiding their path. Kael's broadsword gleamed as he pushed forward, his strength clearing obstacles, while Liora's agility kept her close, her daggers ready. "She's heading for the ridge!" Liora called, her voice sharp over the wind.
As they closed in, Veyra raised the shard, its dark light flaring. A vision struck Liora—Kael falling, blood pooling beneath him, the shard's power overwhelming her senses. She stumbled, gasping, as Kael caught her arm. "What's wrong?" he demanded, his golden eyes wide with concern.
"Nothing," Liora lied, masking her fear with a forced nod. They cornered Veyra, but she hurled the shard into the ravine, its light vanishing as it struck stone. The ground trembled, a sign of the Void's reawakening. Veyra escaped, leaving Kael and Liora breathless, the vision haunting Liora as she hid it, her resolve shaken by the cost of their pursuit.