Heart of Elaria

Chapter 10

Every day at the Academy was a reminder of the urgency of our mission. News from home was coming in more frequently now, and each new letter seemed to bring worse tidings. Verdant Expanse and Ashen Kin were hit the hardest, but other factions, too, were starting to feel the weight of Elaria's decline.

One evening, our small group gathered in my room, each of us braced with a determination I hadn't felt before. We'd been doing our best to understand what was happening, but with every passing day, it became clearer that we couldn't tackle this alone.

"It's time to admit we need help," Jace said, leaning against the door with a sigh. "If this is affecting all of Elaria, then keeping this to ourselves is only going to slow us down."

"Agreed," Gideon said. "If we're serious about finding the Heart's shards, we need to bring in people who might know something we don't."

I looked around, catching each of their gazes. "But who? This isn't just a question of skills. We have to trust them completely, and they have to be willing to take the same risks we are."

Everyone nodded, understanding the gravity of what we were deciding. After a long pause, Fiora spoke up.

"Iris could be a good choice," she said thoughtfully. "She's smart, she's observant, and... I think she'd be willing to help if she understood what was at stake."

I nodded slowly, recalling the few interactions I'd had with Iris Lane from Nocturne Guild. Despite her playful personality, she had a serious side. I'd often seen her deep in thought during classes on strategy and history, and there was something about her insightfulness that struck me as genuine.

Malik added, "And her light magic would be useful, especially if we're going to be dealing with places where magic feels... off. She could probably illuminate places where elemental forces are out of balance."

Fiora's eyes lit up. "Exactly. And I think she'd want to know, especially if she's already seeing signs of trouble back home. I've heard her say Nocturne Guild's routes have become more dangerous, too."

"So that's one," Jace said, glancing around. "What about someone with a good understanding of Elaria's natural forces? We could use someone who has a sense of nature's magic."

I thought for a moment. "What about Sylas? He's from Verdant Expanse, and he's deeply connected to the land. If anyone could sense disruptions, it's him."

Gideon nodded. "Sylas has a knack for feeling changes that others miss. Plus, he seems to genuinely care about Elaria's balance. I think he'd be open to helping us once he knows the stakes."

The group murmured their agreement. We'd only had brief exchanges with Sylas during training, but he always seemed perceptive, and his understanding of natural magic would be invaluable if we needed to track any elemental disturbances.

"That makes two," Malik said, leaning back against the wall. "But... what about Kaelan?"

Everyone went silent. The idea of including Kaelan was, admittedly, a risk. He was skilled and undeniably resourceful, but trusting him was a different story. Still, after our recent conversation, I couldn't ignore the fact that he'd been seeing signs of Elaria's imbalance within his own faction. He knew more than he let on, and he seemed to have his own questions.

Jace sighed. "Do we really want to invite Kaelan into this? He's barely willing to work with us as it is. Who's to say he won't just use this to get ahead?"

"He may not be the easiest person to trust," I admitted, "but he knows something. Shadowborne is being affected, too—he hinted at strange changes happening with their shadows. If he's seeing signs of Elaria's imbalance, he might be as motivated as we are to get answers."

Fiora looked unconvinced. "And what if he has his own agenda? Shadowborne doesn't have the best reputation for sharing power, Liora."

"I know," I replied, feeling a bit of doubt myself. "But I think we're at a point where we need his perspective, whether we trust him or not. Besides, keeping him close is the best way to ensure he doesn't interfere."

The group sat in silence for a moment, weighing the choice. Kaelan was a wildcard, but he was also our only link to whatever secrets Shadowborne might be keeping. We didn't know his exact role in the faction, but his skill, knowledge, and resources could be invaluable. After a few tense moments, Jace nodded reluctantly.

"All right, we'll bring him in. But we need to be careful. If he shows any sign of working against us, he's out."

Everyone agreed, though a sense of unease still lingered in the air. We were placing a huge risk on Kaelan, and I couldn't shake the feeling that this decision would have serious consequences. Still, we needed him if we were going to make any progress.

---

"So that's Iris, Sylas, and Kaelan," I said, trying to ease the tension. "But we're missing someone who understands elemental balance. We'll need that knowledge if we're going to have any chance of finding the shards and figuring out how they work."

"What about Lyra?" Jace suggested. "She's from Aetherium Circle, and she knows more about elemental theory than anyone. I've seen her in *Runes & Enchantments*—she's quiet, but she's perceptive. She'd probably know if elemental forces are out of balance."

The group nodded in agreement. Lyra Flarewing was known for her skill with elemental magic, and she had a knack for staying calm and focused in high-stress situations. She was exactly the kind of person we needed—grounded, insightful, and deeply knowledgeable about the land's energy.

"I think we can trust her," Gideon said. "She's always shown respect for the land, and she doesn't seem like the type to get caught up in power struggles."

With Lyra, we'd have someone with a deep understanding of the elements—someone who could help us make sense of any clues we found about the Heart's energy. And if anyone had noticed unusual elemental shifts, it would be her.

---

As we finalized our decision, a weight seemed to lift off our shoulders. We were no longer just a small group of friends grasping for answers. Now, with Iris, Sylas, Kaelan, and Lyra, we'd have a team that represented the range of magic and knowledge across Elaria's factions. Each of them brought a unique perspective, a different strength that would be crucial to our mission.

"We're really doing this, aren't we?" Fiora murmured, a mixture of excitement and apprehension in her voice.

Jace nodded, his expression resolute. "We are. This is bigger than us, bigger than any single faction. If Elaria is going to survive, we have to be willing to take risks. And that means trusting others, even if it doesn't come naturally."

The mood in the room shifted. There was an undercurrent of fear, but also a growing sense of purpose. We were choosing to step into the unknown, to face a task that was bigger than anything we'd trained for. But for the first time, we were beginning to feel prepared.

"Let's each find a way to talk to them individually over the next few days," I said, breaking the silence. "Feel them out. Make sure they understand what they're signing up for. And once we're all on the same page... we'll start putting together a real plan."

Everyone nodded in agreement, a mix of excitement and trepidation in their expressions. We were entering dangerous territory, both literally and figuratively. But we were ready to face whatever lay ahead.

As the others began to leave, Jace lingered behind. "Are you sure about Kaelan?" he asked, his voice low.

I nodded, though I felt the same lingering doubt. "Not completely. But I don't think we have a choice. He knows something, and until we know what that is, we need him."

Jace sighed, running a hand through his hair. "All right. But keep an eye on him, okay?"

"Always," I replied, a small smile tugging at my lips.

As he left, I looked down at the pendant resting against my chest, feeling its familiar warmth. I didn't know what lay ahead, but I felt the beginnings of a new resolve—a purpose that went beyond my own fears and doubts.

Elaria was worth fighting for, and with each person we brought into this mission, I felt that we were one step closer to finding the answers we so desperately needed.