Five containment pillars stood equidistant around its perimeter, each one empty except for prepared pedestals humming with latent energy.
The raven carrying the Roaring Shard landed on one pedestal.
Its chest plating opened with mechanical precision.
The Shard transferred into the containment pillar—blood-red crystal pulsing with divine rage.
The pillar illuminated.
Then another.
The Screaming Shard appeared in its housing—violet crystal screaming soundlessly.
The Silent Shard manifested—pure white, consuming resonance.
The Singing Shard glowed—pale green, humming restoration.
The Whispering Shard materialized last—gray crystal bending reality.
All five pillars burned with divine light.
"You collected all five shards."
"Not without difficulty." Elias smirked as he approached the array with the reverence of a pilgrim.
Cyrus moved closer.
The Shards responded to his presence—subtle shifts in their resonance as draconic energy approached divine artifacts.
