Turns out the Illusion Mist Stones weren't actually part of the Illusion Mist Array at all.
They were treasures the Mist Stone Pillars had condensed over five hundred years ago, completely separate from the formation itself. That was why Firebrand had been able to take one without affecting the array. Even so, those pillars had stood on Crescent Island for over ten thousand years, constantly absorbing the island's moonlight and ocean energy before finally producing just three of them.
Each one was an Artifact, and Marcus didn't need anyone to tell him they had to be extraordinary.
Firebrand hadn't even bothered checking her own reward. The moment Marcus reached her, she stuffed the triangular stone into his hands with an eager grin.
"Here. Check it out."
"Got it." Marcus accepted the stone as the others gathered around him. Curiosity filled every face as he opened its information window.
The moment he finished reading, he froze. '...Damn.'
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