Chapter 18: The Heart of Lumina

The cabin fell silent after Calren’s words, the crackling fire the only sound as Serenya and Drenic absorbed the weight of the revelation.

“The Heart of Lumina,” Serenya repeated, her voice trembling. “I’ve heard that name before… in the prophecy.”

Calren nodded, his sharp green eyes locking onto hers. “It’s more than a name. It’s a source of immense power—light forged to counter the deepest darkness. The ancient kings of Valtressa sealed it away centuries ago, fearing it could fall into the wrong hands.”

“And now someone’s trying to get to it,” Drenic said grimly.

Calren hesitated. “Not just someone. The Onyx Veil and their master. They’re moving to claim it, either to destroy it or twist it into a weapon against the realm.”

“Then we can’t let them find it,” Serenya said firmly. “How do we get to it first?”

Calren moved to the cluttered shelves, pulling down an old, leather-bound tome. He flipped through the brittle pages, his fingers tracing faded runes and diagrams.

“The Heart of Lumina is hidden in the ruins of Solthar,” he said, pointing to a map sketched into the margins of the book. “Deep in the northern mountains, beneath the shadow of the Riftspire. The way is treacherous, and the magic guarding it is ancient and volatile.”

“Great,” Drenic muttered. “A deathtrap.”

“It’s worse than that,” Calren said, his tone grave. “The path to the Heart is not meant for mortals. The wards protecting it will test you—your strength, your resolve, even your soul. Few have made it past the first barrier.”

Serenya swallowed hard. “And those who did?”

“None have returned,” Calren replied.

Drenic leaned against the table, his smirk faint but strained. “Sounds charming. Any chance we have a map that doesn’t lead to certain death?”

“This is the only path,” Calren said firmly. “But you won’t be going alone.”

He reached into a small chest near the fireplace and withdrew a shimmering crystal, its surface etched with runes. It pulsed faintly with golden light, casting a warm glow over the room.

“What is that?” Serenya asked, her gaze drawn to the crystal.

“A guide,” Calren said. “This crystal is linked to the Heart’s magic. It will lead you through the wards, provided you prove yourself worthy.”

“Worthy of what?” Serenya asked, her voice tinged with doubt.

“Of wielding the Heart’s power,” Calren replied.

Drenic straightened, his gray eyes narrowing. “And what happens if we’re not worthy?”

“The wards will kill you,” Calren said bluntly.

Serenya’s stomach churned. “This keeps getting better and better.”

Calren offered her a faint smile. “If it were easy, the Heart would’ve been claimed long ago. But the fact that you’re still alive, Oracle, tells me you have a chance.”

She met his gaze, the weight of his words settling over her. “I don’t feel ready for this,” she admitted softly.

“Few ever are,” Calren said. “But destiny doesn’t wait for readiness. It demands action.”

They left the cabin at dawn, the forest still cloaked in mist as the first rays of sunlight pierced the treetops. Calren had given them supplies for the journey—extra rations, a map, and the crystal—but his parting words lingered in Serenya’s mind.

“Remember,” he had said, “the Heart will reveal your truth. Face it, or be consumed by it.”

“What do you think he meant by that?” Serenya asked as they followed the winding path toward the northern mountains.

Drenic shrugged, his dagger glinting faintly at his side. “Probably something cryptic to make sure you’re scared enough to take this seriously.”

“I’m already scared,” she admitted.

“Good,” he said. “Fear keeps you alive.”

The journey to the mountains was grueling. The forest thinned as the terrain grew steeper, the air colder with each passing day. They camped in the shadow of jagged cliffs and crossed narrow bridges that swayed dangerously in the wind.

Serenya’s body ached from the constant climb, but it was her mind that bore the heaviest weight. The visions came more frequently now, flashes of light and shadow that left her gasping for breath.

“You need to rest,” Drenic said one evening as they camped beneath an overhang.

“I’m fine,” she insisted, though her trembling hands betrayed her.

“You’re not fine,” he said, his tone firm but not unkind. “Whatever this magic is doing to you, it’s taking a toll.”

“I don’t have a choice,” she said, her voice breaking. “If I stop, we’ll die.”

Drenic watched her carefully, his smirk absent. “Then lean on me,” he said simply.

She looked at him, startled. “What?”

“We’re in this together, Oracle,” he said. “I can’t do what you can, but I’m not going to let you carry this alone. You tell me what you need, and I’ll handle the rest.”

Serenya’s throat tightened. “Thank you,” she said softly.

Drenic nodded, returning to sharpening his blade.

After days of relentless travel, they reached the foothills of the northern mountains. The peaks loomed above them, their snow-capped summits hidden behind swirling clouds.

“The ruins are just ahead,” Drenic said, consulting the map Calren had given them. “Should be a day’s climb, maybe less.”

“Let’s get this over with,” Serenya said, steeling herself.

The ruins of Solthar were carved into the mountainside, their massive stone arches and crumbling spires half-buried in ice and snow. The air was thick with magic, the kind that made Serenya’s skin crawl and her pendant pulse with nervous energy.

“This is it,” Drenic said, his voice low.

They approached the entrance, a massive stone door covered in glowing runes. The crystal Calren had given them pulsed faintly in Serenya’s hand, its light growing stronger as they neared the door.

“Looks like it’s working,” Drenic said.

“Let’s hope it stays that way,” Serenya replied.

She raised the crystal to the door, the runes flaring brighter in response. A deep rumble echoed through the ruins as the door began to shift, its massive stone slabs grinding open to reveal a dark passage beyond.

The interior of the ruins was colder than the mountain air, the walls covered in frost and the floor slick with ice. The crystal’s light cast long shadows as they moved through the narrow corridors, their breath visible in the frigid air.

“Stay close,” Drenic said, his dagger drawn.

Serenya nodded, clutching the crystal tightly.

The first ward appeared as a shimmering barrier of light blocking their path. Symbols etched into the floor pulsed in rhythm with the magic, and the air around it buzzed with energy.

“What do we do?” Drenic asked, his gaze shifting to Serenya.

She held up the crystal, its light reflecting off the barrier. The symbols on the floor shifted, forming words in a language she couldn’t read but somehow understood.

“To pass, reveal your truth.”

“My truth?” she murmured.

Drenic frowned. “What does that mean?”

Serenya closed her eyes, the crystal growing warmer in her hand. Her mind flooded with memories—her childhood in the tower, the loneliness of her gift, and the weight of the prophecy that had marked her life.

“I’m afraid,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Afraid of failing. Of not being strong enough.”

The barrier pulsed, its light flaring brighter before dissolving into a cascade of golden sparks.

Drenic stared at her, his expression unreadable. “You did it,” he said.

“For now,” she replied, her voice heavy with uncertainty.

As they moved deeper into the ruins, the wards grew more intricate, each one testing Serenya in ways that left her physically and emotionally drained. The final barrier loomed ahead, a massive wall of swirling energy that pulsed with a light so bright it was nearly blinding.

“This is it,” Serenya said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Drenic placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. “Whatever happens, you’re not alone,” he said.

She nodded, stepping forward as the crystal in her hand flared with light.

The barrier surged toward her, its energy engulfing her in a blinding glow.

And then everything went dark.

When she opened her eyes, she was no longer in the ruins. She stood in an endless expanse of light, her reflection staring back at her from every direction.

“Who are you?” a voice echoed, soft but insistent.

“I’m Serenya,” she said.

“And why are you here?”

“To protect those who can’t protect themselves. To stop the darkness.”

The reflections shimmered, their edges growing sharper.

“Then claim your destiny.”

The crystal in her hand shattered, its light flowing into her chest. Pain and power surged through her, and she screamed as the ruins around her reappeared.

She collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath as the final barrier dissolved.

Drenic rushed to her side, his expression tense. “Are you all right?”

She looked at him, her eyes glowing faintly with golden light.

“I think so,” she said. “But something’s changed.”

Drenic helped her to her feet, his smirk faint but steady. “Good. Because whatever’s waiting for us ahead isn’t going to be easy.”

They stepped forward, the Heart of Lumina just beyond the final chamber.

End of Chapter 18

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