The Dragon's Chosen

The journey out of the Shadowspire Woods was tense. The third medallion hung heavy around Eira's neck, its cold magic pulsing against her skin. Sylara's words echoed in her mind were they really releasing something far worse?

Kael walked beside her, his hand never far from his sword. "You're too quiet," he said softly. "What's wrong?"

Eira hesitated before answering. "What if Sylara was right?"

Kael's brow furrowed. "Right about what?"

"What if these medallions don't just lock Malgrin away? What if they're hiding something else something stronger?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Kael stopped walking. "Eira," he said firmly, "we don't have a choice. If Malgrin breaks free, the world burns. Whatever comes next we'll face it together."

His words steadied her, but the uneasy feeling didn't leave.

Ryven, as usual, broke the tension. "Enough brooding, lovebirds. We've still got seven more medallions to find."

Seren rolled her eyes but said nothing. She had been unusually quiet since the battle with Sylara.

As they traveled, the landscape shifted from dark woods to sunlit plains. Villages dotted the horizon, but something felt… off. The people were wary avoiding eye contact and locking their doors before sunset.

In one village, an old man warned them. "Stay away from the Ashen Keep," he whispered. "People who enter don't come back. And those who do… they're not the same."

The Ashen Keep. The next key had to be there.

By nightfall, they reached the edge of the Keep an ancient fortress half-buried in blackened stone. Thick vines wrapped around the crumbled towers, and the air was heavy with the scent of ash.

"This place reeks of magic," Ryven muttered.

Kael nodded. "Stay sharp."

As they stepped inside, the temperature dropped. Faint whispers echoed through the empty halls. Eira's magic flared to life, but something pressed against it dulling her senses.

They moved deeper, passing rusted armor and broken swords. At the heart of the Keep, a massive stone door stood closed, covered in glowing runes.

"The key is behind that door," Eira said.

Kael touched the door's surface. "And it's warded. Can you break it?"

Eira focused her magic on the runes, feeling for weak points. But the moment she touched the spell, pain stabbed through her mind. She gasped, stumbling back.

"What's wrong?" Seren asked, stepping closer.

"It's not just a lock," Eira said through gritted teeth. "It's a trap. If I push too hard, it could…"

A soft click cut through the air.

They all turned Ryven stood by the door, holding a small silver key. The runes flickered and vanished.

"You had the key this whole time?" Kael demanded.

Ryven shrugged. "I borrowed it from Sylara. She was too busy throwing shadows to notice."

Eira shook her head, hiding a smile. "You're impossible."

The door groaned open, revealing a circular chamber. At its center, the fourth medallion floated above a black pedestal. Its surface glowed with a faint red light.

Kael stepped forward but the moment he touched the medallion, the chamber trembled. A hidden door swung open, and a figure stepped through.

She was tall and lean, her crimson armor shimmering like blood. A jagged scar crossed her cheek, and her dark eyes burned with hatred.

"Who dares steal from the Ashen Keep?" Her voice was like fire.

Kael tightened his grip on his sword. "We're taking the medallion."

The woman laughed coldly. "Then you'll die for it. I am Valeria, Guardian of the Flame and this Keep is mine."

Without another word, she lunged.

Kael blocked her first strike, sparks flying as their blades clashed. Seren moved like lightning, striking at Valeria's side but Valeria spun, kicking Seren hard against the wall.

Ryven vanished into the shadows, knives flashing.

Eira felt the medallion's magic hum in her hand. She poured her energy into it, releasing a burst of golden flame. But Valeria met the magic with her own a wave of crimson fire that seared the air.

"You think you can control the Flame?" Valeria hissed. "It bends to no one."

Kael gritted his teeth as their swords locked. "We don't need to control it we just need the medallion!"

Valeria shoved him back, her blade aimed at his heart. But Ryven appeared behind her, slashing at her shoulder. She staggered just long enough for Seren to strike her legs, bringing her to the ground.

Eira didn't hesitate. She poured her magic into the medallion, locking Valeria's flames away. The crimson light faded, and the air grew still.

Valeria glared at them, fury in her eyes. "You think you've won?" she spat. "Take the medallion but this isn't over."

Kael held out his hand to Eira. "We have what we came for. Let's go."

As they left the Ashen Keep, Eira felt the weight of the fourth medallion. But Valeria's words haunted her.

This isn't over.

And deep inside, she knew each key they gathered brought them closer not just to saving the world, but to unleashing a danger they barely understood.