The fragments of Heaven's Heart within Cled pulsed in rhythm with the skies. After calming the Sky-Sundered Blade, he continued his journey across the First Sky Realm, each step revealing islands of light, drifting ruins, and waterfalls of color that defied the laws of gravity.
Cled felt the wind whisper secrets — not in words, but in memory. He followed a trail of floating motes that glimmered gold and silver, guiding him toward the next Sky Realm.
The path led to an ancient citadel, a structure suspended between clouds and lightning. Its walls were carved from stone older than time itself, and its gates were etched with runes that seemed to hum in recognition of Cled's presence.
> "The second fragment awaits," the relic murmured.
Inside, the corridors shifted as if alive. Each hall was lined with mirrors that reflected not only Cled's form but the choices he had made, the battles he had endured, and the countless possibilities yet to come.
A voice echoed faintly through the halls, soft yet insistent.
> "Cled of the Cracked Sky… seeker of balance… will you bear what lies ahead?"
He answered not with words but with quiet steps forward.
At the heart of the citadel, he discovered a grand chamber filled with floating spheres of light — each one a memory of a realm lost, a soul forgotten, or a lesson unlearned. Among them floated the second fragment, small but radiant, suspended above a pedestal of silver light.
Guarding it was a creature born of shadow and storm. Its form shifted constantly, never fully revealed, yet its eyes bore a weight of sorrow. It spoke without sound, transmitting thought directly into Cled's mind:
> "None who enter here leave unchanged. The fragment demands understanding, not strength."
Cled bowed his head. He did not rush. He observed the creature, felt its grief, and mirrored its patience. Slowly, the shadow began to dissipate, revealing a pool of still, golden water. The fragment hovered above the surface.
He extended his hand, and the fragment dissolved into radiant mist, flowing into him. A surge of warmth and clarity filled his chest.
> "The second fragment…" he murmured. "Harmony and grief are not enemies. They are teachers."
Cled left the citadel, stepping back into the open skies. The clouds seemed softer, the wind gentler, yet the weight of the journey pressed upon him. He understood that each fragment was not only a key to Heaven's Heart but also a mirror of himself.
As night fell, he found a quiet ledge to rest. The stars reflected in the rivers of light below, and the cracked sky above shimmered faintly as if nodding in acknowledgment.
> "I am walking among echoes," Cled whispered. "And each one teaches me the shape of the heavens."