The air crackled with tension as Zara locked eyes with the man from the Order. For a brief moment, the chaos of the auction faded away, replaced by an eerie stillness. The Shard of Aether, shimmering on the stage behind him, pulsed with a rhythm that resonated deep within her. It wasn't just an artifact. It was alive—alive with the same energy that coursed through her veins.
She could feel it beckoning her, calling her to claim what was rightfully hers.
With a burst of speed, Zara flung herself forward, her shadows forming a blade in her hand. The man reacted instantly, his own power flaring to life. His movements were swift and precise, but Zara was faster this time, her instincts sharpened by the presence of the Shard. Their attacks collided in a brilliant clash of light and darkness, each strike sending shockwaves through the room.
"You're connected to it, aren't you?" the man said between gritted teeth, blocking her strike with a shimmering force field. "That's why the Order wants you so badly. They need you to unlock the Shard's full potential."
Zara didn't respond. She couldn't afford to. Her focus was split between fending off the man's attacks and keeping her eyes on the Shard. But the more she fought, the clearer it became: the Shard wasn't just amplifying her powers—it was communicating with her. Urging her to tap into something deeper, something she had only scratched the surface of.
The man seemed to sense the shift in her, his expression darkening. "You don't know what you're dealing with," he hissed. "If you merge with the Shard, you'll unleash forces you can't control."
Zara's jaw tightened. "I'll take that chance."
With a final, desperate surge of power, she blasted the man backward, sending him crashing into the crowd. Before he could recover, Zara leaped toward the stage, her hand reaching out for the Shard.
The moment her fingers touched its cool surface, the world around her exploded in light.
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