Master of divine shards

The journey beyond the desert led the group into a jagged canyon, its walls steep and treacherous. The wind howled through the narrow passage, carrying with it faint whispers that sent shivers down their spines. Vael walked at the head of the group, his demeanor more cautious than usual.

"This canyon was once part of the Diadem's domain," he said, his voice barely audible over the wind. "The sanctum lies ahead, but it's not a place of safety. The remnants of its guardians still linger."

Eren adjusted the straps on his pack, his hand brushing against the fragments at his side. They felt heavier than before, as if they were aware of the sanctum's significance.

"What kind of guardians?" Liora asked, her bow in hand.

Vael's expression darkened. "Shadows of the past. Constructs forged from the Diadem's energy. They protect the sanctum, even in its ruin."

---

The Approach

As they descended deeper into the canyon, the air grew colder, and the whispers became more distinct. The walls of the canyon began to glow faintly, ancient runes etched into the stone radiating an eerie light.

Kael stopped to examine one of the runes, running his fingers over its surface. "This writing... it's like the fragments. But it's older."

Vael nodded. "The Diadem's original language. Few can read it now. These runes are warnings."

Liora glanced nervously at the glowing inscriptions. "Warnings about what?"

Vael hesitated. "The sanctum's power is not meant for mortals. It will test your will, just as the fragments do. And if you fail... you won't leave alive."

Eren's grip tightened on the hilt of his sword. "We've come this far. We're not turning back."

---

The Entrance

The canyon opened into a vast chamber, its ceiling obscured by darkness. At its center stood a towering structure, the Forsaken Sanctum, its spires twisted and broken. The ground around it was littered with shards of crystal, their edges sharp as razors.

Vael stopped at the threshold, his gaze fixed on the sanctum. "This is where we part ways."

Eren spun to face him. "What? You're not coming with us?"

"I've already faced the sanctum," Vael replied. "I barely survived. If I enter again, it will claim what's left of me."

Kael stepped forward, his expression skeptical. "You expect us to go in blind, then?"

Vael reached into his cloak and withdrew a small, glowing crystal. "This will help you navigate the sanctum. But remember: the sanctum doesn't just test your strength. It tests your heart. Your fears. Your loyalty."

He handed the crystal to Eren, his expression grim. "You'll find what you seek inside. But you may lose something in the process."

---

The Trial Begins

Eren, Kael, and Liora entered the sanctum, their steps echoing against the cold, crystalline floor. The air was thick with tension, each breath feeling heavier than the last.

The walls shimmered with moving images—fragments of memories, both theirs and others'. Eren paused before one of the shifting visions, his chest tightening as he saw himself as a child, clutching a broken sword.

"Eren, don't linger," Liora called, her voice strained.

But before he could move, the image shifted, showing him wielding the fragments with reckless abandon, his friends lying broken at his feet.

"No," he muttered, shaking his head.

The sanctum reacted to his doubt, the air around him growing colder. Shadows began to coalesce, taking the shape of his fears.

---

Confronting the Shadows

Kael and Liora turned as dark figures emerged from the walls, their forms shifting and indistinct. The creatures bore no features, yet their presence was suffocating.

"Eren, snap out of it!" Kael shouted, swinging his greatsword at one of the shadows. The blade passed through it, leaving it unharmed.

Liora loosed an arrow, but it, too, had no effect. The shadows advanced, their whispers growing louder.

"You'll fail them," the voices hissed. "You'll lose them, just like the others."

Eren clenched his fists, the fragments at his side glowing fiercely. "No! I won't let that happen!"

He drew his sword, channeling the fragments' energy into the blade. The light from the weapon drove back the shadows, their forms dissolving into the walls.

---

The Heart of the Sanctum

As the shadows receded, the group pressed on, reaching the sanctum's core. At its center stood a massive crystal, its surface cracked and pulsing with unstable energy. Surrounding it were four pedestals, each holding a fragment similar to Eren's.

"This is it," Liora said, her voice barely a whisper.

Kael approached the nearest pedestal, his brow furrowing. "These fragments... they're connected to yours, Eren."

Eren stepped forward, the fragments at his side reacting to the crystal's energy.

"The sanctum is giving us a choice," he said, his voice steady. "We can take the power we need, but it will come at a cost."

Liora placed a hand on his shoulder. "What kind of cost?"

Eren didn't answer. He already knew the answer. The sanctum would demand a piece of them—memories, emotions, or even their very essence.

---

A Fateful Decision

Eren placed his hands on the central crystal, its energy surging through him. Images flooded his mind: Malrik's bone mask, his friends fighting by his side, the ruins of the world they sought to save.

The crystal spoke, its voice cold and unyielding.

"What will you sacrifice, bearer?"

Eren's heart pounded as he considered the question. Around him, Kael and Liora watched, their faces tense.

Finally, he spoke. "Take my fear. Take my doubt. I'll face whatever comes, but I won't let it break me."

The crystal pulsed, and a wave of energy radiated through the room. The fragments on the pedestals shattered, their energy merging with Eren's.

When the light faded, Eren stood, his gaze resolute. The sanctum had accepted his sacrifice.

---

The Path Forward

As they exited the sanctum, Vael waited at the canyon's edge. His expression was unreadable as he studied Eren.

"You survived," Vael said. "But at what cost?"

Eren didn't answer, his focus on the path ahead.

"We have what we need," Eren said. "Now it's time to end this."

Far in the distance, a dark storm gathered on the horizon. Malrik's stronghold awaited, its oppressive aura a reminder of the battle to come.