The ruins of Vaelmar lay quiet in the early morning light, the echoes of battle still lingering in the air. Eiji adjusted his cloak and rubbed the soreness from his shoulders. "I swear every step in this life is some form of medieval boot camp."
Lyra laughed softly. "Boot camp with magic, ancient curses, and evil cultists. Sounds about right."
Kael surveyed the horizon, his expression serious. "We need to keep moving. The next seal is rumored to be in the Shattered Peaks. It is far more treacherous than Vaelmar, and the Guild will surely try to intercept us before we arrive."
Pyra hovered above them, sparks flicking lazily. "Treacherous terrain, guild attacks, and possibly falling rocks. My favorite kind of journey."
Eiji groaned. "I had hopes for a scenic hike. Maybe a bakery stop along the way. Apparently not."
Selene stepped closer, her violet eyes glimmering with determination. "The journey will test you, Eiji, but also teach you. The medallion and the seals are awakening. You must learn to control them fully if you hope to survive."
The group set off across the plains, the wind carrying faint whispers of magic. The medallion pulsed with each step, growing warmer, as though urging Eiji forward.
After several hours, the landscape began to change. The gentle plains gave way to jagged hills, cliffs rising like the ribs of the earth. The path narrowed, winding along cliffs with sheer drops on either side.
Lyra frowned. "This is… less scenic than the plains. And more likely to eat me alive."
Kael moved ahead cautiously. "Stay close. The terrain is unstable, and the Guild could be anywhere. Every shadow is a potential ambush."
Eiji held his medallion tightly. "I can feel the second seal's power lingering behind us. It's almost like it's guiding me."
Pyra flickered beside him. "Or nagging you. That thing never shuts up."
As the group reached a narrow pass, the wind suddenly picked up. Rocks tumbled down the cliffs with a thunderous roar. From the shadows, the first scouts of the Shadow Guild appeared, moving quickly, their silver masks glinting in the sunlight.
Kael raised his sword. "They've found us sooner than expected. Prepare yourselves!"
Eiji felt the medallion hum, resonating with the magic of the Second Seal. "Alright. Time to see if I can handle this without blowing myself up."
The first wave of Guild scouts charged. Lyra hurled a potion that erupted in a green flame, scattering several of them. Pyra created a dome of fire around Eiji, deflecting their spells.
Eiji focused on the medallion. Light flared, forming protective barriers and pulses of energy that pushed back the attackers. He realized that with concentration, he could now channel the seal's energy more precisely.
Selene raised her staff. Light surged from its crystal tip, striking multiple attackers at once, forcing them to retreat. "Keep moving forward. The pass is the safest path to the Peaks."
The group pressed on, moving quickly along the cliffside. Rocks fell around them, and shadows of the Guild's magic lingered in the air. Eiji's medallion pulsed faster, reacting to the approaching danger and guiding him through the treacherous terrain.
Hours later, as dusk fell, the Shattered Peaks rose before them like jagged teeth against the orange sky. The wind howled through the cliffs, carrying the scent of ancient magic and danger.
Eiji looked up at the peaks, exhaustion heavy in his limbs. "Great. The next seal is up there somewhere. And I'm supposed to climb all that?"
Lyra groaned. "Looks like your scenic hike just became an extreme mountaineering adventure."
Kael's eyes scanned the peaks. "Rest here for the night. We cannot ascend in darkness, and the Guild could strike again. Prepare for tomorrow. The trials of the Shattered Peaks will not wait."
Eiji sank to the ground, medallion pulsing softly against his chest. "Tomorrow, I fight… again. Fantastic."
Selene sat beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We will face it together. You are not alone this time, Eiji."
Eiji managed a weak smile. "I'll hold you to that. But if anything explodes tomorrow, I blame the medallion."
Pyra hovered above, sparks flicking lazily. "Explosions are practically part of your destiny."
As night fell, the group huddled together, the glowing medallion casting soft light across the jagged rocks. The Shattered Peaks loomed above, silent and foreboding.
Eiji closed his eyes. The echoes of his past life whispered through his mind. The cycle continued, but this time he would fight it, survive it, and maybe, just maybe, succeed.