Master of divine shards

The desert stretched endlessly before them, the ruins of the spire casting jagged shadows in the distance. The sun blazed high, its relentless heat a stark contrast to the chilling presence of Malrik that still lingered in their minds.

Kael adjusted the weight of his pack and glanced at Eren, who was walking ahead, his steps slower than usual. The fragments at his side shimmered faintly, their light dim but insistent.

"We need to stop," Liora said, her voice cutting through the silence.

Eren didn't turn around. "We can't afford to. He'll come after us."

"And we'll be dead on our feet when he does," Kael added, stepping forward to block Eren's path. "You're not the only one exhausted, Eren. We all need a moment to regroup."

Eren's jaw tightened, but the weight of his fatigue was undeniable. With a reluctant nod, he gestured toward a cluster of rocks offering scant shade.

"Fine. But not for long."

---

A Moment of Reflection

The group settled beneath the rocks, the sparse shade offering little relief from the heat. Kael unpacked a small canteen, passing it to Liora, who took a sip before handing it to Eren.

Liora broke the silence, her tone hesitant but firm. "What happened back there? With Malrik, with the fragments—you were losing control, Eren."

Eren stared at the canteen in his hands, his expression unreadable. "I did what I had to. We made it out alive, didn't we?"

"Barely," Kael interjected. "And it's not just about surviving. You're putting yourself—and us—at risk."

Eren's grip on the canteen tightened. "I'm the only one who can wield them. Without me, we're defenseless."

"You don't have to carry this alone," Liora said, her voice soft but insistent. "We're in this together, Eren. But you need to let us help you before it's too late."

Eren didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

---

A Fateful Encounter

Their respite was cut short by the sound of distant footsteps crunching against the sand. Liora immediately reached for her bow, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon.

"Someone's coming," she whispered.

Kael unsheathed his greatsword, stepping in front of Eren. "Stay behind us."

From the shimmering heat emerged a figure clad in a tattered cloak, their face obscured by a hood. The figure stopped a few paces away, raising their hands in a gesture of peace.

"I mean you no harm," the stranger said, their voice raspy but steady.

Kael didn't lower his weapon. "Who are you? What do you want?"

The stranger pulled back their hood, revealing a weathered face marked by scars and glowing tattoos. "My name is Vael. I've been tracking you since you entered the spire. You're meddling with forces far beyond your understanding."

Eren stepped forward despite Kael's warning glance. "If you've been tracking us, then you know what we're trying to do. The fragments are the only way to stop Malrik."

Vael's expression darkened. "The fragments are as much a curse as they are a weapon. They will twist you, consume you, until there's nothing left but their will."

Liora stepped closer, her bow still at the ready. "Then why are you here? To stop us?"

Vael shook his head. "No. To guide you. I was once a bearer of the fragments, long before your time. I know their dangers—and their potential."

---

Lessons of the Past

Vael joined their small camp, his presence uneasy but tolerated. As the sun dipped below the horizon, he shared his story.

"The fragments are remnants of the Diadem's power," Vael explained, his voice low and heavy with memory. "They were never meant to be wielded by mortals. Those who do pay a steep price."

Eren's gaze didn't waver. "If you know so much, why didn't you stop Malrik?"

Vael's expression tightened. "Because I failed. The fragments corrupted me, just as they will corrupt you if you're not careful."

Kael leaned forward, his tone skeptical. "And what makes you think we'll succeed where you didn't?"

Vael met his gaze. "Because you still have each other. The bonds you share are your greatest strength—and your greatest shield against the fragments' influence."

---

A New Path Forward

As night fell, the group made their decision. Vael would accompany them, his knowledge of the fragments and the Diadem's remnants proving too valuable to ignore.

But his warning lingered heavily in their minds.

"Malrik is stronger than you realize," Vael said as they prepared to set out. "If you're to face him again, you must understand the fragments—not just their power, but their cost."

Eren nodded, his resolve hardening. "Then teach me."

Vael's gaze was somber. "Very well. But remember this: every time you use them, you lose a piece of yourself. Choose your battles wisely."