The ice sigil beneath Eldric’s feet glowed brighter as the ravine shook again. Frost dust rose from the ground like shimmering snow and the wind howled through the narrow passage. The masked guardian stood unmoving despite the trembling earth. Their spear crackled with blue light.

Garron positioned himself between Eldric and the guardian his shield raised. If this turns into a fight I want the first strike

Lyra stepped sideways to flank the guardian without making noise her cloak blending with the icy surroundings.

But the guardian made no move to attack. They simply watched Eldric with an unreadable gaze.

The prophecy begins the moment you step on the northern ice the guardian said. The ancients predicted a seeker would come one who carries the echo of the beacons one who hears the relics whisper

Torren whispered to Eldric. They are talking about you

Eldric answered calmly aloud. Why was such a prophecy made What did the ancients expect

The guardian lowered the spear tip until it pointed at the glowing sigil beneath them. The ice pulsed in response.

The ancients feared collapse They created the network to hold back a force older than empires older than magic itself When their empire fell the network shattered and the beacons went dormant only waiting for the one who could awaken them

Lyra narrowed her eyes. You mean the relics are locks Seals

Yes the guardian said. Each beacon anchors a larger barrier one that prevents the rise of an entity known only as the Nithrael The ancients stopped it once But they could not destroy it

Torren’s breath caught. The network of relics is a defense system

Garron frowned. Then why are the relics waking Shouldnt they stay sealed

The guardian’s voice lowered with a tone that seemed both regretful and grim.

Because something has disturbed the ancient seals Something or someone from your world of nobles scholars and merchants has begun to crack the balance The relics respond to prevent disaster by awakening the seeker

Eldric stepped forward slowly. You believe I am the one called by the relics

The guardian nodded. You touched the Silver Tablet and it awakened You approached the beacon and it pulsed You hear the whispers Most cannot bear them without their minds fracturing

Eldric felt a chill deeper than the cold around him. The whispers had followed him even when he slept soft patterns at the edge of dreams calling him toward something he still did not understand.

Lyra spoke sharply. If he is the only one who can interact with these relics then every faction in the Dominion will hunt him

They already are the guardian said.

Garron raised his shield. And what does your prophecy say about that

The guardian finally lifted the spear to their chest a gesture of oath.

My duty is to guide the seeker to the spire and ensure the relic does not fall into unworthy hands The syndicate moves through the southern pass The academy approaches from the west The nobles march behind you

Torren’s eyes widened. They are all coming here

Eldric understood then why the relics awakened him. Not because he was special but because he stood at the center of every faction. A neutral ground between greed and ambition and knowledge.

The guardian stepped back and the glowing ice beneath them shifted forming a narrow path that sloped downward into a hidden tunnel.

Follow this passage to the heart of Frostbound Spire Only the seeker may enter If the others approach they will face the ice itself

Lyra whispered. Eldric do we trust this

Eldric exhaled deeply. Trust is irrelevant now We follow the relics because if this network collapses the world collapses with it

He stepped toward the new passage.

The guardian said one last thing before Eldric descended.

Seeker When you reach the spire do not touch the core until you understand its memory It holds the truth of the ancient fall

Eldric nodded. Then descended into the frozen dark.