Hollow Ascension

Chapter 159: The Relic’s Power

The relic hovered in the air before them, pulsing with a soft, ethereal glow. Elda could feel its power, ancient and raw, vibrating through the air like an unspoken warning. The valley's magic stirred uneasily around it, as if unsure whether to welcome the relic or repel it.

Kael stood closest to the relic, his sword still drawn, his eyes fixed on the glowing object. "We can't leave it here," he said, his voice tight with urgency. "The Syndicate knows it's in the valley. It's only a matter of time before they come back."

Lena paced a few steps behind him, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword as she glanced between Kael and Elda. "We should destroy it," she said firmly. "Whatever this thing is, it's too dangerous to keep around. If the Syndicate wants it, that's all the more reason to get rid of it."

Elda frowned, her heart heavy as she studied the relic. "We can't just destroy it," she replied, her voice steady but filled with caution. "The relic's power is tied to the valley's magic. If we destroy it, we could destabilize the valley—or worse, cause a ripple effect across the other magical sources connected to it."

Lena's eyes narrowed. "You're saying if we destroy this thing, we could wreck the balance of magic across the land?"

Elda nodded slowly. "It's possible. The valley's been protecting this relic for centuries. We don't know what kind of damage it could cause if we forcefully sever that connection."

Kael's gaze flicked between them, his expression darkening. "And hiding it won't be enough," he said. "The Syndicate won't stop until they find it. They've probably already started searching the valley again. If we don't move quickly, we'll be fighting them off while trying to keep this relic safe."

Lena crossed her arms, her frustration clear. "Then what do we do? Keep it and hope the valley's magic holds? Or do we risk letting the Syndicate get their hands on it because we were too scared to make the hard choice?"

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Elda felt the weight of their decision pressing down on her. The relic hummed faintly, its power resonating with the valley's magic, but it was unstable, unpredictable. She could feel the tension in the air, as if the relic itself was on the verge of releasing something dangerous.

"We don't have a lot of options," Kael said, his voice low. "But we need to choose fast. If the Syndicate's scouts are already in the valley, it's only a matter of time before they find us."

Elda stared at the relic, her mind racing. She could feel its connection to the valley—deep, ancient, and intertwined with the magic that protected this land. The relic wasn't just an object of power; it was a keystone, something that tied the valley to other magical sources across the land.

"If we move the relic," Elda said slowly, "we need to make sure it stays hidden. We can bury it deeper within the valley, somewhere the Syndicate won't think to look."

Lena shook her head, her jaw clenched. "And what happens when they come back? We'll be fighting them with this thing ticking away like a bomb under our feet."

Kael sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Then we make sure they don't come back," he muttered. "We strengthen the valley's defenses. Build wards, set traps—whatever we need to keep the Syndicate out."

"But that's a temporary solution," Lena shot back. "We need something permanent."

Elda took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the decision bearing down on her. The valley pulsed beneath her feet, as if waiting for her to make a choice. "We need to protect the valley," she said quietly. "But we can't risk destabilizing the magic by destroying the relic. We'll move it—deeper into the valley, somewhere only we can access. And we'll use the valley's magic to hide it."

Kael and Lena exchanged a glance, both of them clearly uneasy but understanding the necessity.

"And what if the Syndicate finds us before we're ready?" Lena asked, her voice tight.

"Then we fight," Kael said, his voice filled with grim determination. "But we fight on our terms, not theirs."

Elda nodded, her hands glowing softly as she began to tap into the valley's magic. "We'll need to work quickly," she said, her voice steady. "The valley will help us, but we'll have to move the relic soon. It's drawing too much attention."

As Elda reached out with her magic, the ground beneath them trembled softly, and the air around the relic grew heavier. The valley's magic responded to her call, though it was still fragile, still recovering from the corruption that had nearly torn it apart.

Lena moved to stand beside her, her sword at the ready. "If this goes wrong, we're going to need to be ready to fight off anything that comes our way."

Kael nodded, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of movement. "I'll keep watch. If the Syndicate sends scouts, we'll know before they get too close."

Elda focused on the relic, feeling its energy pulse in rhythm with the valley's magic. Slowly, carefully, she began to weave a protective spell around it, using the valley's magic to shield the relic from outside detection. The glow around the relic grew brighter for a moment before dimming, the light sinking into the earth as the relic began to lower itself back into the ground.

As the relic disappeared beneath the surface, the ground sealed itself behind it, and the valley's magic settled, though the tension in the air remained. The relic was hidden, for now.

Elda let out a slow breath, her hands trembling slightly from the effort. "It's done," she said softly. "The relic is hidden deeper within the valley. The magic around it will keep it safe—at least for now."

Lena exhaled, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Let's hope the Syndicate doesn't figure that out too quickly," she muttered.

Kael sheathed his sword, his expression still grim. "They'll be back," he said quietly. "But when they come, we'll be ready."

Elda nodded, though the weight of the decision still hung heavy on her. They had hidden the relic, but it was only a matter of time before the Syndicate tried again—and next time, they would come in force.

"The valley's magic will help us," Elda said, though she wasn't sure if she was trying to convince herself or the others. "But we need to prepare for whatever comes next. This isn't over."

Lena's eyes narrowed as she glanced out at the horizon. "No," she said quietly. "It's just beginning."