Chapter 15
The morning mist clung to the cliffside trail, curling around jagged stones and loose rocks. Each step demanded caution—one slip could send them plummeting into the roaring river far below.
Without warning, the mountainside shuddered. A landslide tore loose, boulders crashing toward them with deafening force. Mira's flames flared, slowing the rocks, while Kaelen leapt with precise agility, shielding Joren from the worst of the debris.
Lyra's shard pulsed violently, radiating light that coalesced into a fragile bridge over the collapsing stones. "This way!" she called, voice trembling but firm. One by one, they scrambled across the glowing path, hearts pounding, breath ragged.
A massive boulder split the bridge's edge, forcing Lyra to stretch her power to maintain it. Sparks hissed as Mira's fire met the tumbling rocks, and Kaelen guided the others with steady hands, weaving between hazards with practiced skill.
Finally, they reached solid ground. The shard's light faded, and the bridge collapsed behind them. Silence fell, broken only by the wind through the cliffs and the distant roar of the river.
"Every step is dangerous," Mira said, eyes narrowed, scanning the unstable path ahead.
Lyra touched her shard, drawing strength from its steady pulse. Danger was constant—but so was determination. The cliffside had tested their courage, skill, and unity, and though they survived, the treacherous path ahead promised even greater trials.
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