The rumbling beneath Eldros grew louder, shaking loose dust and fragments of stone from the crumbling walls. Kael and Saerin braced themselves as shadows twisted and writhed in the darkness, coalescing into a monstrous form.
From the depths emerged a towering figure cloaked in shadow, its eyes glowing like burning embers. The air around it seemed to suck in the light, casting the chamber into near-total darkness.
Lioren raised his staff high, chanting words in an ancient tongue that made the shadows recoil momentarily. "This is no mere beast—it is the Harrow, the embodiment of the city's forgotten sins."
Kael stepped forward, sword drawn. "If it feeds on memory and despair, then we must remind it of hope."
Saerin's blade sparked as she joined Kael. "Together."
The Harrow lunged with terrifying speed, its shadowy claws slashing through the air. Kael dodged and countered with a swift strike, but his blade passed through the creature like mist.
Lioren's voice rang out, "The Harrow is intangible to physical attacks. You must channel the Flame Shard's power to make your strikes real."
Kael clenched the glowing shard in his hand, focusing his energy into the sword. A fiery aura enveloped the blade, solidifying it with ethereal flames.
With renewed strength, Kael met the Harrow's next strike, the flames biting deep into the shadowy flesh. The creature howled in rage, recoiling as Saerin pressed the attack.
Despite their combined efforts, the Harrow was relentless, its form shifting and stretching, blurring the line between shadow and substance.
Kael realized then that brute force wouldn't be enough. "Lioren, how do we seal it again?"
Lioren's eyes flickered with urgency. "We must restore the city's memory fully—gather the fragments scattered across Eldros. Only then will the seal hold."
"But the Harrow grows stronger every moment!" Saerin shouted, parrying a swipe.
Kael nodded grimly. "Then we split up. You take the eastern wing, I'll head west. Lioren, stay here to hold off the Harrow as long as you can."
Lioren hesitated but finally agreed. "May the Ancients watch over you both."
With that, Kael and Saerin dashed in opposite directions, the Harrow's angry roar echoing behind them.
The race to reclaim Eldros's past had become a battle for its very future.