The forest fell silent as the hooded man revealed his face—silver hair, fractured light pulsing beneath his skin. Elara felt a chill ripple through her.
"You're the guardian," she whispered.
The man nodded. "My name is Caelum. And the seal is breaking… because of me."
Kai stepped forward, disbelief sharpening his voice. "A guardian would never weaken the seal."
Caelum opened his scarred palm. A dark mark writhed across it, like living shadow.
"I tried to strengthen the prison months ago, but someone interfered—a wielder of corrupted light. They bound their magic to mine and twisted my power. I didn't break the seal willingly… but I still caused the damage."
Elara's eyes softened. "You were manipulated."
"No," Caelum said firmly. "I should have sensed the trap. The summoner is strong—and they used me again today. The rift you saw is only the beginning."
Another faint tremor rolled through the ground, echoing the distant heartbeat underground.
Caelum looked between them, guilt heavy in his gaze.
"I will help you restore the seal. But if the summoner takes control of me again… I may become the weapon that destroys Eldoria."