The wind howled like a living thing.
Kael pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders as the group climbed the narrow mountain trail. The sky was pale blue, and clouds rolled beneath their feet.
Ahead, carved into the peak of a jagged cliff, stood the ancient Temple of Winds — glowing faintly with golden light.
"The last shard is here," Serin said, her voice steady but low. "My shard."
Kael looked at her. "Are you ready?"
"I've waited my whole life," she whispered. "I just hope the temple still remembers me."
They reached the great stone doors.
Symbols of air — wings, feathers, swirling lines — were carved into the rock. When Serin placed her hand on the center, the doors creaked open with a breath of wind.
Inside, the air was warm. Soft. The light came from floating lanterns made of glowing crystal.
Lira looked around. "It feels like the wind is watching us."
"It is," Serin said. "This temple is alive."
At the center of the temple was a giant circular room.
A ring of floating stones hovered above a deep pit. Wind spun slowly in the middle — and inside the swirl floated the final emberstone: a shard of air, shining silver-white.
Kael stared in awe. "It's beautiful."
Serin stepped forward.
But suddenly—
A blast of dark wind smashed through the wall.
Stone shattered.
A figure flew into the temple — cloaked in black armor, a crown of thorns on his head, and fire and smoke swirling at his heels.
The Whisper King.
"You've done well," he said, voice like thunder. "Bringing all the shards to one place."
Corren stepped forward, shadows swirling around him. "You won't take them."
"Oh, I already have," the king said.
He raised his hand.
Magic surged. Wind screamed. The air shard trembled in the air.
Serin dove forward. "No!"
She leapt across the floating stones — the wind lifted her like wings — and she reached out.
The shard flew into her chest.
A shockwave of light and air blasted outward.
Serin fell to her knees.
The wind howled louder, swirling around her.
The Whisper King growled. "So be it."
He raised both hands — and summoned a giant storm of shadow and fire.
Kael ran to Serin.
She stood slowly, eyes glowing silver.
"I can feel the sky," she said. "I am the wind now."
Kael reached for the emberstone at his side.
Corren, Lira, and Kael stepped beside Serin — each glowing with the light of their shards.
All five were together.
The Whisper King's storm moved toward them.
Kael looked at the others. "Then let's finish this."