*Temple of the Flame, Silent After the Trial*

No one dared to breathe too loudly. The last sparks of the guardian’s dissolving form still glowed faintly before fading into the stone floor of the temple. 

The echo of his voice… Guardian of the Vessel, lingered in every ear.

Crystal, still leaning against Ryder, her body trembling. Her chest heaved as though she had run for miles. 

“Crystal, look at me” he whispered.

She forced her gaze upward, and her heart lurched at the fear buried ...