The next morning, the guildmaster called a meeting in the main hall. The mood was somber as the adventurers gathered, many of them nursing injuries from the battle.

  “Last night’s attack was a wake-up call,” the guildmaster said, his voice grave. “Our enemies are growing bolder, and we can’t afford to sit back and wait for them to strike again. That’s why I’m assigning a special mission to a select group of adventurers.”

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  Elliot’s heart skipped a beat as the guildmaster’s gaze fell on him.

  “Elliot, Kael, Lila,” the guildmaster said. “You’ll be heading to the ruins of Eldarath, where one of the Aether Core pieces is said to be hidden. Your mission is to retrieve it before our enemies do.”

  Elliot swallowed hard. This was it—the moment he’d been training for. But as he looked at Kael and Lila, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of determination.

  “We won’t let you down,” Elliot said.

  The guildmaster nodded. “I know you won’t. Good luck.”