Bab 38: The Whispering Peaks
The days following the restoration of the Fragment were filled with an electric anticipation that seemed to ripple through the settlement. The resonance was stronger than ever, its steady hum a constant reminder of the bond we had forged with Lyria. But even as the villagers celebrated our success, the Infinite Echo lingered in the back of my mind—a faint, persistent call urging us forward.
Sira had been spending long hours studying the newly stabilized resonance, her crystal always glowing faintly in her hand. Jaina, ever vigilant, had increased the training sessions for the guardians, preparing them for whatever challenges might come next. Tarek, on the other hand, had been unusually quiet, though his restlessness was apparent in the way he paced the settlement's perimeter.
And then, one morning, the call became unmistakable.
I was standing by the central crystal, watching as the villagers prepared for another day, when the resonance pulsed sharply—a distinct, rhythmic pattern that sent a shiver down my spine. It wasn't a warning, but an invitation, a beckoning to something beyond our understanding.
Sira appeared moments later, her face alight with urgency. "Did you feel that?" she asked, clutching her crystal tightly. "The resonance is directing us again. This time, it's… different. It feels more focused, more deliberate."
Jaina joined us, her expression sharp. "Where is it leading us?"
Sira closed her eyes, attuning herself to the resonance. "North," she said after a moment, her voice tinged with awe. "To the Whispering Peaks."
The Whispering Peaks were a range of jagged mountains that loomed on the northern horizon, their snow-capped summits shrouded in perpetual mist. Few had ventured there, and those who had returned spoke of strange phenomena—voices carried on the wind, shadows that moved without reason, and an overwhelming sense of being watched.
As we prepared for the journey, the villagers gathered to see us off. There was a palpable mix of pride and concern in their faces; they understood the importance of our mission, but they also knew the dangers that lay ahead.
Leith approached, his usual stoicism softened by a rare smile. "You've brought us this far," he said. "Whatever's waiting for you out there, I know you'll face it together."
Jaina nodded, her gaze steady. "We will."
The journey to the Whispering Peaks was grueling. The terrain grew more rugged with each passing day, the air thinner and colder as we climbed higher. The resonance guided us, its rhythm steady and unyielding, pulling us toward the heart of the mountains.
Sira was in her element, constantly analyzing the energy flows and adjusting our course as needed. "The resonance here is… unusual," she said one evening as we set up camp. "It's not just guiding us—it's interacting with the environment. It's like the mountains themselves are alive."
Jaina sharpened her sword by the fire, her movements precise and methodical. "If these peaks are connected to the resonance, they could hold answers we've been searching for. Or they could hold dangers we're not prepared for."
Tarek leaned back against a rock, his usual grin replaced by a thoughtful expression. "Let's hope it's more of the first and less of the second. Though with our luck, it'll probably be both."
On the fourth day, we reached a narrow pass that wound its way between two towering peaks. The resonance grew stronger here, its pulse quickening as if urging us forward. The air was thick with mist, and the wind carried faint, almost melodic whispers that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.
"It's like the mountains are speaking," Sira said, her voice barely above a whisper. "The resonance is amplifying the sound, creating a kind of… symphony."
Jaina tightened her grip on her sword, her eyes scanning the shadows that flickered in the mist. "Let's hope they're friendly."
As we moved deeper into the pass, the whispers grew louder, forming patterns that seemed almost deliberate. At times, they sounded like words, though none of us could understand them. The resonance pulsed in time with the whispers, creating an eerie yet mesmerizing rhythm.
And then, we saw it.
The pass opened into a massive, circular valley surrounded by towering cliffs. At its center stood an enormous crystalline structure, its surface smooth and reflective, glowing faintly with an inner light. The resonance emanating from it was almost overwhelming, filling the air with a vibrant energy that made the ground beneath our feet hum.
Sira stared at the structure, her face filled with awe. "This… this is another Fragment. But it's unlike anything we've seen before. It's… complete."
Jaina approached cautiously, her sword at the ready. "If it's complete, why does the resonance feel so unsettled? There's something off about this place."
Tarek pointed to the base of the structure, where faint, dark tendrils of energy seemed to writhe and pulse. "That's why. Looks like something's trying to corrupt it."
The tendrils weren't like the remnants of Avalon we had encountered before. They were more organic, more alive, and they moved with a deliberate, almost predatory intent. As we stepped closer, the resonance around us wavered, its harmony disrupted by the presence of the corruption.
"It's feeding on the Fragment," Sira said, her voice tight with urgency. "If we don't stop it, the corruption will spread. It could destabilize the entire resonance network."
We moved quickly, positioning ourselves around the Fragment and activating the resonance crystals Sira had prepared. The crystals flared to life, their light pushing back against the corruption, but the tendrils fought back, lashing out with bursts of dark energy that sent shocks through the chamber.
Jaina took the lead, her sword flashing as she cut through the tendrils that tried to encroach on our position. "We need to hold them off while Sira stabilizes the Fragment!"
Tarek joined her, his spear moving in fluid arcs as he deflected the tendrils' attacks. "No problem. Just don't take too long, genius!"
Sira worked frantically, her hands moving with precision as she calibrated the crystals to counteract the corruption. The resonance around us grew louder, its rhythm intensifying as it fought to reestablish harmony.
I focused on the connection between the crystals and the Fragment, guiding the energy flows and amplifying the resonance as much as I could. The corruption was strong, but the resonance was stronger. Slowly, the tendrils began to retreat, their dark energy dissipating as the light from the crystals grew brighter.
Finally, with a blinding flash of light, the Fragment pulsed with a powerful surge of energy. The tendrils dissolved completely, and the resonance around us stabilized, its harmony restored.
We stood in silence, catching our breath as the Fragment's glow filled the chamber. The resonance was calm now, its rhythm steady and strong. The whispers that had filled the valley were gone, replaced by a deep, peaceful hum.
Sira approached the Fragment, her hands trembling as she placed them on its surface. "It's connected to the Source now," she said, her voice filled with awe. "The corruption is gone, and the resonance… it's stronger than ever."
Jaina sheathed her sword, her expression a mix of relief and determination. "Whatever that corruption was, it's gone now. But we need to find out where it came from—and make sure it doesn't happen again."
Tarek grinned, though his exhaustion was evident. "Another day, another Fragment saved. We're getting pretty good at this."
I placed my hand on the Fragment, feeling its energy flow through me. It was vibrant and alive, a testament to the strength of the resonance and the unity we had built with Lyria. The Infinite Echo pulsed faintly in the back of my mind, its call a reminder that our journey was far from over.
As we prepared to leave the valley, I looked back at the Fragment, its light shining brightly against the backdrop of the Whispering Peaks. We had restored another piece of Lyria, but the path ahead remained uncertain.
Whatever lay beyond, we would face it together—with the strength of the resonance, the bond we shared, and the endless possibilities of the Infinite Echo guiding our way.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone