The ridge descended into an ashfield: dunes of grey dust that hissed underfoot, devouring foot-prints seconds after they formed. Heat shimmered low and constant; the air tasted of charred iron. Faint sparks glittered along the ground like embers hidden in snow.
Kael scanned the horizon. Two obelisks speared skyward at opposite ends of the valley, each faintly glowing with runes. A narrow track of cracked earth connected them—a vein of red heat.
Elias inhaled. "Twin-anchor pathway. Activate one obelisk, sprint to the second before backlash resets."
Rei flexed cramped legs. "How long?"
Elias knelt, placing fingertips on the hot dirt. Runes flared briefly. "Maybe three minutes between charges."
Thorn grinned through bandaged burns. "A run, then."
Veyra's fox-mask figment drifted ahead like a scout, ash swirling around illusory paws. Kael felt Sync steady at 48 %, Essentia pool sitting at 28/60. Enough for one full Shardwalk, maybe two if he rationed.
They approached the first obelisk; glowing script crawled faster as they neared.
[Obelisk Primed — Route Initiation Upon Contact]
Kael pressed a palm. Energy thundered down the red-vein path; the ground trembled. A distant rumble answered—second obelisk sparked alive.
Timer started:
[Run – 00:02:59]
They sprinted. Ash geysers erupted to either side; plumes formed shapeless figures that clawed and hissed. Thorn plowed through, shield flaring Emberguard to push heat aside. Rei Blinked in six-metre bursts—Stormbind idle, conserving charge. Each step left small foot-craters filling instantly.
Midway, the ash solidified under Kael's feet, grabbing ankles like tar. Shardwalk flickered—a four-metre phase—Essentia down six because of shorter hop. He emerged ahead, freed, cutting bonds with a reverse sweep to clear path for Elias.
Rei called, "Left flank—casters!" Figures of molten clay emerged, palms glowing white-hot. Fire arcs screamed. Veyra's sorrow-mask figment leapt in front, swallowing twin blasts before dissolving; real Veyra winced but held.
Elias couldn't risk a heavy Vector. He launched a low-cost Nudge, tipping a caster's aim so the next arc carved harmlessly into dust. Thorn body-checked another, shield melt-adhering to clay skin, then yanked free, tearing chunks.
Timer: [01:34]
Heat columns burst ahead, forming a living wall. Kael shouted, "Rei—Stormbind!"
She flung a lightning-dagger. Eight Essentia vanished. Bolt struck the column; thunder rolled as ash vitrified into brittle glass. Thorn smashed through, clearing a hole wide enough for all five.
Timer: [00:47]
The second obelisk loomed. Elias staggered, gauntlet sparking. Rei's steps lumbered; every Blink hammered cramped muscles. Veyra drew both remaining figments close, using them as shade to cut searing wind. Ash shapes clawed from dunes, but Thorn's burning shield and Kael's spinning glaive carved a corridor.
Timer: [00:11] … 10 … 9
Kael threw himself the last metres—palm slammed glowing stone. Red veins flared, then faded to dark. Timer vanished. A single pulse rippled down the valley; ash geysers collapsed, molten casters crumbled.
System lines ignited:
[Path Complete — Twin Anchor Stabilised][Veilcore Sync 52 % — Essentia +12]
Kael's pool surged to 34/60. Rei collapsed to one knee, calves twitching; Thorn's armour cooled, plates dripping molten specks that hardened mid-air. Elias pressed a hand to his gauntlet—intact. Veyra exhaled, illusions dissipating.
From the far ridge came silver glint—Malkyre, just reaching the valley mouth, too late to benefit. Ariss's banner dipped in measured respect—or warning.
Rei wiped sweat. "Next time, you carry the key."
Kael smirked. "Only fair."
They set camp in a hollow behind cooled glass, stars overhead twisting into unfamiliar constellations. For once, no immediate pursuit.
Deep night brought silence… until distant chain-links groaned. The bound colossus strained, a thunder-bass note rolling across miles.
Kael watched the sky until violet dawn inked the horizon. Tomorrow they would march on chains. Tonight, they kept quiet to hear the giant dreaming.