Beneath the Shattered Moon

The cold wind howled through the fractured stones of Eldoria’s ancient temple. Kaelin’s breath came in pained gasps as he stumbled through the shadows, clutching the cursed amulet that pulsed with an eerie blue light. Pain seared his arm where the rogue’s blade had grazed him mere moments ago. "You shouldn’t have followed me," a voice hissed behind him; the voice of Lyra, his once trusted friend, now a venomous adversary. Kaelin spun, eyes wild beneath the shattered moonlight filtering through the broken temple roof. "Why betray us, Lyra? What madness blinds you?" he demanded, his voice trembling between anger and disbelief. The faint scent of damp stone mixed with the sharp tang of blood filled his nostrils. Lyra’s lips curled into a cruel smile. "You were never meant to claim the Veil’s secret, Kaelin. It belongs to those willing to seize power at any cost." As shadows drew closer, a distant rumble echoed, shaking dust from ancient carvings, and Kaelin realized the temple was collapsing around them. Heart pounding, he darted toward the crumbling exit, the scream of Lyra’s laughter chasing him into the night. Just as he reached the jagged archway, the ground gave way beneath his feet. Dark swallowed him whole.