Caelara and Ashen made their way to the ancient temple hidden beneath the mountains of Virelle's Spine. Long ago, it had been a place of worship and deep study, where the highest of the Oracles were trained. Now, it stood in silence—forgotten, veiled by time.
The path down to the temple was treacherous, winding through narrow, mist-filled caves lit only by the flickering glow of crystals embedded in the rock. As they descended, the air grew colder, and Ashen's breath came out in visible clouds, his golden eyes flickering with the intensity of his growing powers.
"I don't understand," Ashen said, his voice trembling. "Why am I here? Why am I—"
"You're the key," Caelara interrupted, her eyes sharp as they gazed ahead, unyielding. "To a future that hasn't been written yet. The prophecy is unclear, but your role is set in stone."
"Then why does it feel like I'm about to break the world?" Ashen asked, his voice tinged with fear.
Caelara didn't respond immediately. Instead, she focused on the temple's entrance, a grand arch carved into the stone, covered in strange runes that only she could decipher. The closer they got, the more she felt a pull in her chest—a deep, aching certainty that this place held the answers they both needed.
Inside, the temple was a labyrinth of chambers and passages. Ancient murals adorned the walls, showing scenes of the Oracles guiding kings and battling dark forces. But one chamber stood apart. Its entrance was sealed by a massive door, marked with an ancient sigil of a star within a circle—one that glowed faintly under her touch.
As the door creaked open, the room revealed a single pedestal, upon which sat a glowing fragment of the Oracle Stone. It pulsed with an ethereal light, sending ripples of power through the air.
"This is it," Caelara whispered.
Before she could reach it, Ashen stepped forward, his hand outstretched. The moment his fingers brushed the stone, a violent surge of energy erupted from the fragment, engulfing them both in blinding light. Caelara staggered, but her vision sharpened as the light slowly receded.
She saw it—clear as day. Ashen's future, twisted and broken. He was not just the savior. He was the destroyer. The Harrow.
Gasping, Caelara stumbled backward. "No. It can't be true…"
Ashen looked at her, his eyes wild with confusion. "What did you see?"
"I—I saw you," she whispered, her voice quivering. "You are the Harrow. The bringer of destruction."
Ashen stepped back, his face pale. "No… that can't be—"
"You must understand," she said, fighting to keep her composure. "The Harrow is not a person. It is a force of nature, a power born to unravel the world. If it comes to fruition, you—" She swallowed, unwilling to finish the sentence.
Ashen's expression faltered. The weight of her words sank in, but he wasn't ready to accept the fate that had been thrust upon him.