Kael Thorn had always prided himself on being a man of reason, yet as he returned to his hidden sanctum later that night, his mind was awhirl with the emotions ignited by the shard. The sensation of its power coursing through his veins lingered like a whisper he couldn't ignore. Questions gnawed at him: What price did the Eternals pay for such strength? Could he master it where they had failed?
The sanctum was buried deep beneath an abandoned observatory on the outskirts of civilization—a fitting lair for someone who sought to remain unseen. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with tomes on forgotten lore and relics. The faint glow of alchemical lamps illuminated the room, casting long shadows over Kael's desk, which was cluttered with scrolls, maps, and strange artifacts.
Kael placed the shard carefully inside a glass case reinforced with runes. The shard seemed almost alive, pulsing faintly as if aware of its imprisonment. He couldn't take his eyes off it, the memory of the visions still fresh in his mind. The shard showed him a glimpse of immense power—a power that could reshape his destiny. But it also showed devastation, a warning, perhaps. Kael smirked. Warnings were for the weak.
Just as he began scribbling notes on the shard's properties, a knock echoed through the sanctum. Kael froze. Few knew of this place, and fewer still dared to disturb him. Gripping his dagger, he moved toward the entrance. As the heavy metal door creaked open, he was met with a familiar face.
"You're late," Kael said, his voice cool.
Standing before him was Liana Sevier , a former soldier turned expert cryptographer. Her sharp green eyes met his with a mixture of defiance and concern.
"I'm not late," she replied, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. "You said midnight, and it's exactly midnight."
Kael rolled his eyes and shut the door. Liana's bluntness was both infuriating and oddly reassuring. She was one of the few people he trusted—or at least trusted enough not to stab him in the back.
"Did you find it?" she asked, her gaze drifting toward the glass case. The moment her eyes landed on the shard, she stopped short, as if the air had been knocked out of her lungs.
Kael gestured toward it. "The first shard of eternity. It's real."
Liana approached the case cautiously. "And you touched it, didn't you?" Her tone carried accusation. "You always take the reckless path, Kael. Do you even know what this thing could do to you?"
"I don't need your lectures," Kael snapped. "I felt its power, Liana. It's... indescribable. This is our key to unlocking the truth about the Eternals. To understanding their strength—and making it our own."
"And how many have died trying to do just that?" Liana's voice was sharp, but there was a flicker of fear in her eyes. "You don't know what you're dealing with."
Kael turned away, his fingers running along the edge of his desk. "No one ever made history by playing it safe. If I master these shards, nothing will stand in our way."
" Our way?" Liana raised an eyebrow. "This is your obsession, Kael. I'm here because you're paying me, not because I share your death wish."
Kael smirked. "Yet here you are."
Before Liana could retort, a faint hum filled the air. Both of them turned toward the shard. The pulsating light within it had grown stronger, its glow now casting eerie patterns on the walls.
"Is it supposed to do that?" Liana asked, unease creeping into her voice.
Kael stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. The shard pulsed rhythmically, almost as if responding to their voices. He extended a hand toward the case but hesitated. Was it calling to him, or warning him?
"Interesting," he murmured, his fascination overriding any sense of caution.
Liana grabbed his arm. "Don't. You've already pushed your luck tonight."
Kael shook her off, his gaze never leaving the shard. "Luck has nothing to do with it. This is destiny."
As he spoke, the shard emitted a sudden flash of light, blinding them both. Kael stumbled back, shielding his eyes. When the light dimmed, an unnatural silence filled the room.
"What the hell was that?" Liana demanded.
Kael's breathing was unsteady, but his expression was one of triumph. "It reacted to us. It's alive."
Liana stared at him, her expression a mix of disbelief and frustration. "This is a mistake," she muttered. "Mark my words, Kael—this will destroy you."
Kael chuckled, though there was an edge to his laughter. "Then I'll make sure it destroys everything else first."
Liana shook her head and turned away, muttering curses under her breath. But Kael didn't care. His focus was entirely on the shard. He had touched eternity, and nothing— nothing —would deter him from claiming it.
As the night wore on, Kael began sketching plans for his next move. The shard was only the beginning. To truly harness its power, he needed the others. And if the visions were correct, their locations were hidden across treacherous lands, guarded by dangers beyond imagination.
But Kael Thorn wasn't afraid of danger. In his mind, he had already decided: the world was his for the taking, and anyone who stood in his way would live to regret it—or not live at all.