Morning came quietly in Skyreach. Kael woke early, drawn by a hum—soft, steady, and growing stronger. The Skycores were glowing again, pulsing in sync.
He picked them up. They floated slightly above his palms, spinning slowly.
Then, a beam of light shot from both orbs and met in the air, forming a glowing map—cloud charts, storm currents, and one blinking red mark.
Lira rushed in, her eyes wide. "Is that…?"
Kael nodded. "A signal. The third core is calling."
The map zoomed in, revealing a region surrounded by swirling storms, sharp currents, and dangerous sky cliffs.
"The Shattered Belt," Lira whispered. "That place eats ships."
Kael frowned. "Then why would a core be hidden there?"
Mira stepped in behind them, arms crossed. "Because it's the last place anyone would look."
Kael traced the map with his finger. "We'll need storm shields. Strong wings. And a plan."
"I'll help you," Mira said. "But once you enter the Belt, you're on your own. Even the wind doesn't come out the same."
Hours later, The Emberwing was prepped with reinforced wings, lightning rods, and a new energy scanner.
As they were leaving, Mira handed Kael a small compass.
"It won't point north," she said. "But it will always point to truth."
Kael smiled. "Thanks, Mira."
Lira climbed into the co-pilot seat. "Ready?"
Kael nodded. "Let's go find the third."
As they took off into the sky, the signal blinked faster, guiding them straight into the storm.
But what they didn't see…i
Was the dark ship following close behind.