The cold dawn air blew gently through the forest, but it offered no comfort to Akihiko, Aria, Kael, and Isabella. After the confrontation at the Root Shrine and Moretti's escape, the feeling of having won something important was marred by the fact that he was still free. The golden root Isabella had taken pulsed gently in her hand, emitting an eerie glow.
Consequences and Reflections
The group stopped in a clearing in the forest to rest. Isabella watched the root fragment with a calculating gleam in her eyes, while Aria looked on suspiciously.
"You shouldn't play with that," Aria said, crossing her arms. "It obviously contains dangerous energy."
Isabella smiled coldly. "Everything of value is also dangerous. The question is how to use it."
Kael, who had been working on one of his devices, chimed in. "If that thing is linked to the Tree, Moretti was probably using it to amplify his power. We could analyze it to understand more about how it works."
Akihiko, who had remained silent, finally spoke. "Our primary objective remains stopping Viktor and protecting the Tree. We can't allow this fragment to fall into the wrong hands, not even our own."
Isabella raised an eyebrow defiantly. "And what do you propose to do with it? Destroy it? You know as well as I do that we can't afford that."
Akihiko didn't reply, but the tension in his expression spoke for itself.
A Cryptic Message
While the group was arguing, Kael received a notification on his communicator. It was an encrypted transmission from an unknown source. Upon decrypting it, a brief, disturbing message appeared:
"The fragment is not what it seems. See you at the Vivid Theater. Midnight."
Aria frowned as she read it. "This is clearly a trap."
"Maybe," Kael replied. "But whoever sent this knows about the fragment. They might have information we need."
Isabella smiled, enjoying the tension. "Traps can also be opportunities, if you know how to handle them."
Akihiko nodded slowly. "We'll go. But we must be prepared for anything."
The Vivid Theater
The Vivid Theater was a forgotten place in the southern district of Gaelius. It had once been a cultural center, but now its walls were covered in graffiti, and broken windows let in the wind, carrying dust and dried leaves.
The group entered cautiously, exploring the shadows that filled the building. The main stage, illuminated only by moonlight, was adorned with old, torn curtains that fluttered slightly.
A figure emerged from the shadows of the stage. He was a middle-aged man, dressed in a long coat and a hat that partially obscured his face. His voice echoed in the empty room.
"So you're the ones who have the fragment," he said, his tone calm. "Do you know what you've taken?"
Akihiko stepped forward, his katana ready. "Tell us what you know."
The man raised his hands in a sign of peace. "I'm not here to fight. My name is Thalos, and I'm a historian from the Tree of Eden."
Aria narrowed her eyes. "A historian showing up just when we have something so important. Why should we trust you?"
Elias sighed. "Because I know what that fragment can do. It's not just a root; it's a key. A key to awaken something that has lain dormant beneath the Tree for centuries."
Elijah's Warning
Elias explained that the golden fragment was part of a larger system designed to harness the Tree's power. "When the Tree was brought into this world, it didn't come alone. It brought with it guardians and secrets that humans were never meant to discover. This fragment is a piece of that secret."
Kael frowned. "What if someone uses it?"
"If someone connects the fragment to the Lux Aeterna," Elias continued, "it will awaken a power that could destroy both the Tree and the world. But there are also those who believe that power can be controlled."
Isabella smiled, playing with the fragment in her hands. "And what do you think, Elias? Can it be controlled?"
The historian stared at her. "No. The Tree doesn't allow anyone to control it without a price. And that price is always too high."
The Ambush
Before they could ask any more questions, a dull sound interrupted the conversation. The theater doors slammed shut, and a group of armed men emerged from the shadows. Their black uniforms bore the symbol of the Order of Eternal Night.
"Hand over the fragment!" demanded their leader, a tall woman with eyes that glowed red. "That artifact belongs to Viktor."
Akihiko drew his katana, standing in front of the group. "We'll have to disappoint him."
The battle began in a burst of movement and energy. Akihiko fought the attackers with precise movements, while Kael used her devices to create controlled explosions that disoriented them. Aria protected the group with barriers, while Isabella, with a fierce smile, faced the enemies with poisoned blades.
Elias, although not a combatant, hid behind a column, watching closely.
A Hasty Escape
The group managed to repel the attackers, but the Order didn't retreat completely. "It's not safe to stay here," Elias said. "If Viktor knows you have the fragment, he won't stop."
"Then tell us what we need to know and we'll move on," Akihiko demanded.
Elias nodded. "There is a place where you can find answers. But you won't like it. You must go to the Heart of the Tree, where it all began."
The group exchanged glances. They knew their next stage would be the most dangerous yet, but also the only one.