At the summit of the mountain, the group found what they were looking for: a hidden temple carved into the ice. The entrance was sealed by a massive stone door, covered in ancient runes.

  “This is it,” Kael said, examining the runes. “But how do we get in?”

  Lila stepped forward, her staff glowing. “Stand back. I’ll handle this.”

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  She muttered an incantation, and the runes on the door began to glow. With a loud groan, the door slowly opened, revealing a dark passageway.

  The group stepped inside, their footsteps echoing in the silence. The temple was filled with intricate carvings and glowing crystals, much like the ruins of Eldarath. But there was something different about this place—something colder, more foreboding.

  At the center of the temple was another pedestal, this one holding a shard of ice that pulsed with a faint blue light.

  “The Aether Core piece,” Elliot whispered, reaching out to take it.

  But before he could, a voice echoed through the temple.

  “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

  Elliot turned to see Malakar standing in the doorway, a smug smile on his face.