The trail from the ruined cathedral led north — deeper into the Shattered Valley, where the ground cracked wider and the violet mist grew thicker.
Miko walked ahead now — the seal's power making her steps surer, shadows trailing her like a living cloak.
Kael followed — quieter than usual, watching her closely.
The seal had changed since the Ashen Cathedral.
The voices weren't whispers anymore.
They were clear.
Stronger.
Closer.
Open me.
Let me out.
We are the same.
Miko shook her head — trying to clear the noise.
Kael noticed.
"You're hearing it again."
Miko nodded — tight.
"Louder.
Like it's inside my skull now."
Kael's voice was low.
"Can you still control it?"
Miko clenched her fists.
"I think so.
But it's… heavy."
They reached a new landmark — a fractured spire rising from the mist like a broken finger.
Tall — maybe sixty meters — black stone veined with violet and crimson.
At the base — a door.
Not natural.
Carved.
Runes around the frame — old, glowing faintly.
The seal pulsed — excited.
Inside.
Miko looked at Kael.
"We go in."
Kael nodded.
They pushed the door.
It opened — silent.
Inside — a spiral stair, descending.
No light except the faint glow from the walls.
They descended.
The voices grew louder.
Here.
Almost.
Open.
Miko pressed her hands to her ears.
Kael touched her shoulder.
"Stay with me."
Miko nodded — shaky.
They reached the bottom.
A chamber — circular, domed.
In the center — a pedestal.
On the pedestal — a new artifact.
A small, black crown — obsidian, crimson veins running through it like blood vessels.
It pulsed — slow, steady.
The seal answered — loud.
Mine.
Miko stepped forward.
Kael grabbed her arm.
"Wait."
The crown lifted — floating toward her.
The voices roared.
Wear me.
Become us.
Be free.
Miko felt dizzy — head spinning, vision blurring.
The seal surged — power flooding her veins.
Crimson light leaked from her eyes.
Kael pulled her back.
"Miko!"
She staggered — shadows exploding around her uncontrollably.
The crown hovered — inches from her head.
Miko fought — pushing back.
No.
The seal resisted — angry.
You need me.
Miko clenched her teeth.
I don't need you.
I am me.
The crown trembled — then fell.
Landed on the pedestal — dim.
The voices quieted — sulky.
Miko collapsed — Kael catching her.
She breathed — ragged.
Kael held her close.
"You're okay."
Miko nodded — weak.
"I almost… lost it."
Kael's voice was quiet.
"But you didn't."
Miko looked at the crown.
"It wanted me to wear it."
Kael looked at it too.
"It's another piece."
Miko nodded.
"Like the orb.
But stronger."
Kael picked it up — careful.
The crown hummed — faint.
Miko reached out.
The seal pulsed — cautious.
She touched it.
No vision.
Just a feeling.
Power.
Control.
Cost.
Miko pulled her hand back.
"We take it."
Kael wrapped it in cloth.
They left the spire.
The seal stayed quiet — but Miko felt it.
Stronger.
Louder.
Closer.
To be continued…