The sea heaved unnaturally, not in storm but in resonance, as though the bones of the earth stirred beneath the waves. Andy gripped the rail, cape snapping in Stormbreaker Fang's restless wind. The three elemental blades at his side pulsed in eerie harmony.
Ember Edge glowed ember-red, sparks dancing into the salty air.
Tide-Singer dripped with mist, releasing faint hisses like waves crashing far below.
Stormbreaker Fang whistled with sharp gusts, pulling the sails taut, brushing hair and cloaks with an unseen hand.
The resonance grew louder—fire, water, wind—yet incomplete, aching for its missing chord. Andy felt the absence like a hollow echo in his chest.
[System Notice]
Elemental Quartet Progress: 3/4.
Resonance anomaly detected.
Source: Mountain Scar – classification [Sacred Trial Site].
Aurelia smirked, eyes glinting like polished amber. "Feels like the mountain itself can't wait to kneel for you, Andy."
Nia's lips parted, her voice as cool as steel. "Or crush him for his recklessness. Not every call is a gift, Aurelia."
"Recklessness?" Aurelia stepped closer, chin high, the breeze tugging her golden hair. "Funny, considering you follow him like a shadow, clinging at every step. Who's reckless? The man chasing the call—or the woman too scared to let him go?"
Nia's sapphire eyes blazed. She moved in, her staff glowing faintly. "Better to stay by his side than circle like a hawk pretending to guard when you're only waiting for him to falter."
Aurelia's smirk hardened. "At least I don't suffocate him with a leash."
The words cracked through the deck louder than the sea. Villagers nearby gasped, whispering nervously. One muttered, "By the gods… they're fighting over him?Again."
Andy's throat tightened. Ember Edge flared, Tide-Singer hissed, Stormbreaker Fang whirled stronger, as though the blades themselves mocked the tension.
The ship bucked suddenly, sending a crate crashing. A child screamed.
Nia instantly dropped to her knees, light from Staff of Lumina spreading to soothe the frightened passengers. "Stay calm. Stay close. The light is with us."
Aurelia, standing tall, barked at a panicked youth gripping the mast. "Fear makes you weak. Stand straight, or you'll fall before the sea does!"
Nia rose, eyes snapping to her. "You think barking helps? Comfort builds trust. Not everyone responds to threats."
"Trust won't stop them from drowning," Aurelia shot back, stepping closer, heat in her tone.
For a heartbeat they stood only inches apart, staff against sword-hilt, breath sharp, the wind whirling around them. Villagers whispered louder, some clutching one another as if a fight would break out then and there.
Andy's patience snapped. He stepped between them, hands raised, his aura flaring. All three swords lit up at once—ember sparks, ocean spray, rushing wind—casting him in a storm of elements.
"Enough!" His voice thundered, silencing even the sea's groan. "Mountain Scar isn't waiting for our quarrel. It's waiting for me. And gods help me, I need both of you—not as rivals, but as allies."
Nia exhaled shakily, her hand brushing Andy's arm. "Fine. But don't expect me to let her stand closer to you than I do."
Aurelia's smirk curved, though softer. "And don't expect me to step aside either."
The ship steadied just long enough for the horizon to crack with veins of molten bronze light. Awe fell over the villagers, fear mingling with reverence.
[System Notice]
Questline Updated: Trial of Stoneheart
Objective: Reach Mountain Scar.
Warning: Resonance Level – High. Synchronization Required.
Andy opened his eyes, silver irises shimmering with ember, tide, and storm. He whispered, voice carrying over the deck: "Then we'll face it together. The mountain calls… and I'll answer."
As the ship surged forward again, the immediate tension eased, but the deck still carried a nervous hum. Villagers exchanged wary glances, whispering to one another.
"Did you see that?" one woman muttered, holding her child close. "The swords… and the way those two looked at each other."
Another villager shook his head. "No ordinary argument. They're fighting over him. Gods help us if that storm breaks loose again."
Andy pretended not to hear, though the words burned in his ears. He leaned against the rail, exhaling, letting the resonance of his swords fade into a steadier rhythm.
Behind him, Nia folded her arms, her voice low but edged. "You can play fearless all you want, Aurelia, but don't think I don't see through it. He isn't a prize you can win with smirks and sharp words."
Aurelia, standing just a pace away, let out a soft laugh, almost too quiet for the villagers to hear. She leaned in slightly, her amber eyes glinting in the lantern light. "And you think love is a leash? You may hold his hand, Nia, but I can promise you—when the storm comes, I won't let go."
Nia's jaw tightened, but she turned her gaze toward Andy, refusing to give Aurelia the satisfaction of a reply. Her hand brushed his briefly, as though claiming her ground without words.
Andy caught the subtle motion, his heart a storm of its own. He glanced at both women, then at the villagers watching from the corners of their eyes. For a moment, he wondered which battle would be harder—the trial at Mountain Scar… or the trial between these two.
The ship lunged forward, propelled by more than wind and tide, fate itself carrying them toward the glow of Mountain Scar.
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