The arcane bolt from the Alliance airship scorched the canyon floor, forcing Jax, Jane, and Kael to dive behind jagged rocks. The booming voice of the golden-robed mage echoed through the air, magically amplified: "Surrender, or die!" Below, the massive arcane cannon in the Alliance camp swivelled, its barrel charged with glowing blue energy, aimed straight at them. In the distance, the Arcane Spires shimmered, their crystal towers beckoning to Jax with the promise of the second shrine—and the truth about the Construct.
Jax's chest heaved as the Construct hummed softly. "Energy reserves: 8%," it stated flatly, reminding him of his little strength. "Hostile intent confirmed. Evasion recommended." Blood still stung in his hand from opening the ward gate, and his nose dripped from the battle with the skeletal beast. The journal in his pocket glowed, echoing the sister's warning: "The second shrine lies within the Spires. But the marked one's path is faced with betrayal."
Jane crouched nearby, dirt on her face, her eyes sharp. "Alliance mages," she muttered, gripping a sharp stone—her only weapon since her gadgets had run out. "Thought they were the good guys."
"Not today," Jax replied hoarsely, glancing at Kael, who knelt beside him, tousled blond hair and an unwavering grin. The rogue mage's hands glowed with arcane blue energy, his confidence cutting through the chaos.
"Never trust the Alliance," Kael said smoothly, like he was sharing jokes over drinks. "They're all about control. But don't worry—I've slipped past their patrols before." He winked at Jax, his eyes bright. "Stick with me, star boy, and we'll be sipping mage-wine in the Spires by sundown."
Jax couldn't help but smile; Kael's charm lightened the tension. The guy was impossible not to like, his words wrapping around you like a warm cloak. But doubt nibbled at him—Kael's quick glance at the journal during the gate fight weighed on his mind. The sister's warning about a traitor gnawed at him, yet Kael's skills had saved them before. Jax pushed the thought away.
They needed him now.
Jane rolled her eyes, though her lips twitched. "Common, pretty boy. Got a plan, or are we just going to die here?"
Kael chuckled, a sound like sunlight breaking through. "Patience, Jane. We'll sneak through the canyon's lower paths. The Alliance is too busy flexing to notice." He pointed to a narrow trail winding beneath the camp. "But we need to move fast. That cannon is no joke."
Jax eyed the trail, barely wide enough for one person. The airship hovered closer, its runes flaring as the camp buzzed with mages shouting commands. The Spires loomed nearer, yet the shrine felt far away. "Let's do this," he said, gripping his knife. "Kael, lead the way."
Kael flashed a grin and began moving. "Follow my lead, and try not to glow too bright, buddy." His playful tone masked the quick glance at the bulging journal in Jax's pocket, a detail Jax caught, his unease growing.
They descended the trail, the canyon walls closing in around them. The air was sharp, filled with the scents of ozone and metal. Jax felt a small surge of energy—"Reserves: 10%"—but his body ached, the blood on his palm sticky. Jane remained close, her stone poised, while Kael glided like a shadow, dimming his arcane glow to remain unseen. The airship's hum dwindled, yet the cannon's glow lingered.
"Quiet," Kael whispered, pausing at a bend. He raised a hand, probing with his arcane senses. "Patrol ahead. Two mages. Stay low."
Jax and Jane crouched, straining to see beyond the rock. Two Alliance mages stood guard, their cloaks shimmering with runes, staffs humming with power. One scanned the trail, sharp eyes searching. Jax's heart raced. His Flame Pulse could take one down, but it would drain him and the noise would attract the camp's attention.
Jane leaned closer, her voice a whisper. "Can you do that glowy shield thing?"
"Maybe," Jax replied, wary of the Divine energy's unpredictability. The sister's voice had been silent since the gate, and with his low reserves, it felt risky. "Kael, any tricks?"
Kael's grin turned sly. "Thought you'd never ask." He conjured a faint arcane mist, cloaking them in a shimmering haze. "Illusion. They'll see rocks, not us. Move slow."
Jax marveled at Kael's skill, doubt mixing with admiration. The guy was a lifesaver, his magic seamless and charm relentless. They crept past the mages, the illusion holding. Jax nearly gasped as one mage glanced their way, but the mist worked—nothing was seen.
The path widened, the Spires closer, their blue glow illuminating the canyon. Yet the Construct buzzed a warning. "Hostile presence detected. Proximity alert."
Jax froze, gripping Jane's arm. "Something's off."
Before Kael could respond, the ground shook violently. A blast of arcane energy erupted from the trail's end, shattering their illusion. The two mages turned, staffs glowing, as a third figure emerged—a woman in silver robes, her eyes blazing with power. "Intruders!" she roared, staff raised. The airship's hum returned, its shadow looming over the canyon.
"Damn it," Kael muttered, his grin vanishing. "Ambush. Prepare yourselves!"
Jax's heart raced. "Reserves: 12%." He raised his hands, summoning Flame Pulse. A burst of fire blasted forth, pushing the mages back, but his vision blurred. "Reserves: 8%." Jane hurled her stone, slamming one mage in the shoulder. They staggered, but the silver-robed woman retaliated, a bolt grazing Jane's arm.
"Jane!" Jax cried, diving to shield her. The airship's runes flared, and an arcane net shot down, set to trap them.
Kael moved swiftly, weaving a barrier that deflected the net. "Not today!" he yelled, vibrant and rallying. He unleashed arcane bolts, pinning the mages. "Jax, take out the leader!"
Jax nodded, chest on fire. He reached for Divine energy, faint whispers from the sister in his mind: "Trust your blood." A golden shield flared to block the woman's next bolt. Pushing forward, he merged Divine with Elemental magic, releasing a fiery blast that knocked her back. She screamed as her staff dimmed.
"Reserves: 4%."
Kael dispatched the remaining mages with a wave of arcane force, their runes fading. The airship retreated, its net failing, but the woman stood, eyes ablaze. "You'll never reach the Spires!" she spat, arm raised for one final attack.
Jane tackled her, delivering a blow that knocked her out cold. Panting, Jane stood, bleeding from her arm. "That's for the burn."
Jax swayed, blood dripping from his nose. Kael caught his arm, grin returning. "Star boy, you're unstoppable." The warmth in his voice contrasted with his growing scrutiny of the journal. "That power… it's something else."
Jax stepped back, cautious. "Thanks," he said tightly. Kael's charm was magnetic, but those glances were piling up. Jane noticed too, her eyes narrowing, but she remained silent.
They forged ahead, the canyon opening into a vast plain. The Spires loomed, their towers glimmering. Yet the journal glowed again, a new line appearing: "The second shrine tests the marked one's heart. Choose wisely, or fall."
Jax's stomach twisted. Choose what? Who was the traitor? Kael's laughter broke his thoughts as he joked about outsmarting the Alliance. Jane chuckled, but Jax stayed quiet, his doubts intensifying.
As they neared the Spires, a low hum filled the air—an external presence, not the Construct. The ground trembled, revealing a massive arcane barrier encircling the Spires. Guard towers emerged, manned by mages with glowing cannons, and a single gate lay ahead, its runes pulsing with a lock that required blood or magic to open.
Kael whistled, his grin sly. "That's a problem. Blood again, Jax?"
Jax nodded, but the sister's voice pierced his thoughts, urgent: "The heart's choice reveals the path. Trust, or lose all."
Before he could react, a shadow moved in a guard tower. A figure stepped forth—neither Alliance nor Necromancer, something entirely different. Their cloak was black, face hidden, red eyes glowing like the Master's. They raised a hand, and the barrier's runes shifted, locking tighter.
Jane's scanner beeped. "Jax, that's not good."
Kael's hands glimmered, but tension threaded his voice. "Star boy, you'd better open that gate fast."
The figure's voice echoed coldly. "The marked one's journey ends here."
The cannons swivelled, their energy surging. A blast hurtled toward them, shaking the earth.