The northern plains stretched endlessly before them, golden grasses swaying in the wind. The ruins of Vaelmar appeared on the horizon, jagged towers of stone rising like broken teeth from the earth. Faint whispers of long-forgotten magic hung in the air, tugging at Eiji's medallion.
Eiji squinted. "So, these are the ruins of the Second Seal. Looks… slightly less welcoming than a tavern."
Lyra adjusted her bag of potions. "Slightly? This is terrifying."
Pyra flickered beside them, sparks trailing. "Terrifying is an understatement. This place feels like it wants to eat you for breakfast."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Stay alert. The ruins are known to house traps and illusions. The Shadow Guild will also be here soon."
As they entered the ruins, the air grew thick, making every breath feel heavy. Broken walls were covered in glowing runes, and ghostly figures flickered in and out of sight.
Eiji's medallion pulsed violently. "Okay… that's new. It's really, really excited."
Selene stepped forward. "It senses the seal. And it senses you. You are the link between the past and the present."
Eiji groaned. "Wonderful. So my past mistakes are literally following me."
A sudden wind whipped through the ruins, carrying whispers in a language Eiji almost recognized. Visions flashed before his eyes—memories that weren't his, showing another Oracle navigating these same ruins, making choices, and failing to seal the power.
"I… I'm seeing things," Eiji said, gripping the medallion. "They're memories, but not mine. It's… overwhelming."
Lyra glanced at him, concern flickering. "Those are visions of your past life. You need to focus. The seal won't wait."
Suddenly, the ground trembled, and ghostly figures of the past Oracle's companions appeared, their faces twisted in anguish and fear.
Eiji stepped back. "Oh great. Now I'm hallucinating ghosts of my own failures."
Selene lifted her staff. "They are echoes, reminders of what went wrong before. You must learn from them, or the seal will consume you."
Kael unsheathed his sword. "I'll cover you. Just survive long enough to figure out what to do."
Eiji took a deep breath. "Fine. I'll try not to repeat history. Hopefully the ghosts like me better this time."
The medallion glowed brighter, and a beam of light shot toward the center of the ruins. A faint stone pedestal emerged, carved with runes that pulsed in rhythm with Eiji's heartbeat.
"This must be it," Selene said softly. "The Second Seal."
As Eiji approached the pedestal, the visions intensified. He saw the past Oracle's final moments, a choice that led to failure, and the moment the seal had been weakened.
"I have to make the right choice," Eiji whispered. "I can't fail again."
He placed his hands on the pedestal. The runes flared, and the visions swirled around him, pressing into his mind.
Suddenly, the ruins shook violently. Shadows formed from the mist, moving toward them. The Shadow Guild had arrived.
Kael shouted. "Defend the Oracle! Don't let them interfere!"
Lyra threw a potion, releasing a burst of green flame that scattered some of the shadows. Pyra formed a wall of fire.
Eiji gritted his teeth. The medallion pulsed in sync with his heartbeat. "I'm not failing this time. Not again."
A bright light shot from his hands into the pedestal. The ground shook, runes glowed, and the air filled with a deafening hum. The Second Seal responded, and for a moment, everything seemed still, as if the ruins themselves were holding their breath.
Eiji opened his eyes. The visions had stopped, the echoes faded, and the pedestal now glowed softly. The Second Seal was activated, stabilized by his own touch.
Selene stepped closer. "You did it. You passed the trial of Vaelmar. This time, you succeeded where your past self failed."
Eiji collapsed on the ground, exhausted. "Success… feels… exhausting."
Pyra floated above him. "Congratulations. You didn't blow it up this time. Small victories."
Kael gave a rare nod. "We are not out of danger yet. The Shadow Guild will not give up so easily. Rest while you can."
Eiji looked at Selene. "So this is my life now. Saving the world, having visions of my past failures, and fighting evil every day?"
Selene smiled faintly. "Yes. And you will do it with us beside you."
Eiji groaned. "Why does that make it slightly better but mostly terrifying?"