The sun dipped below the horizon as the sisters approached the familiar white stone walls of the Clerics’ Enclave. The cool evening air carried a faint hint of incense, mingled with the earthy scent of the valley. Though the enclave had weathered its share of turmoil, the sight of its carved archways and flickering lanterns offered a fleeting sense of solace.

  Rhea led the way, her steps steady but heavy with the weight of their journey. Behind her, Zarya carried the stolen artifact, now wrapped tightly in cloth to dull its unsettling glow. The shard at her side pulsed faintly, as if in quiet protest of their return.

  “Home again,” Nyssa murmured, her voice tinged with weariness. “Though it feels different now.”

  “It’s not just the enclave,” Eira said, her gaze sweeping across the quiet courtyards and dimly lit halls. “Everything feels… different.”

  They were met at the gates by the clerics, their expressions a mix of relief and concern. The enclave’s leader, an elderly woman with lines etched deep into her face, stepped forward, her hands clasped tightly.

  “You’ve returned,” she said, her voice firm despite its weariness. Her eyes fell to the artifact in Zarya’s hands. “And with the artifact.”

  “Yes,” Rhea replied. “But it’s only part of the story. The corruption hasn’t stopped—it’s spreading, and it’s connected to the obelisk network.”

  The leader’s expression darkened. “Then we have much to discuss.”

  The sisters gathered in a secluded chamber within the enclave, the artifact placed on a stone pedestal etched with protective runes. The clerics worked cautiously, their chants filling the air as they examined the artifact. Zarya watched them closely, her hand resting on the shard at her side. It pulsed faintly, as if aware of its counterpart.

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  “The artifact amplifies magic,” one of the clerics said, her voice strained. “But it’s corrupted—twisted by the same energy that permeates the Blighted Plains. Studying it may yield answers, but we must be cautious.”

  Nala stepped forward, her hands clasped tightly. “I want to help. I’ve seen what this corruption does, and I’ve felt its power. If there’s a way to understand it, I need to learn.”

  The cleric leader nodded, her gaze softening. “Your heart is strong, child. We will guide you.”

  Zarya turned away, her thoughts clouded. The visions she’d seen in the ruins—the obelisks, the corruption, the endless cycle of chaos—pressed heavily on her mind. The shard’s whispers grew louder in her ears, no longer fragmented but forming coherent words.

  “Power is the answer. Balance cannot be achieved without sacrifice.”

  She gritted her teeth, forcing the whispers back into silence. “What if we’re wrong?” she said aloud, her voice low. “What if trying to stop this only makes it worse?”

  Rhea placed a hand on her shoulder, her grip steady. “Then we’ll face it together. Whatever happens, we’ll find a way.”

  The enclave’s quiet was interrupted by the sound of hooves on stone. A rider approached the main gates, their cloak dusted from a long journey. The messenger dismounted swiftly, their expression urgent as they handed a sealed letter to the cleric leader.

  The sisters watched as she broke the seal, her eyes scanning the page. Her face paled, and her hands trembled slightly as she lowered the letter.

  “There’s more,” she said, her voice trembling. “To the south—regions untouched by the obelisk network are showing signs of corruption. It’s spreading beyond what we’ve seen.”

  “Beyond the obelisks?” Nyssa asked, her brow furrowing. “How is that possible?”

  The leader shook her head. “I don’t know. But whatever this is, it’s growing.”

  Rhea stood, her jaw set. “Then we’ll go south. If the corruption is spreading, we need to stop it before it’s too late.”

  Zarya glanced at the artifact, its glow faint but ominous. “The shard… the obelisks… they’re part of this. We need to learn more before we lose control of everything.”

  Nala stepped forward, her gaze steady. “Then we’ll find the answers, no matter how far we have to go.”

  The sisters exchanged a glance, their resolve unspoken but mutual. As the enclave settled into uneasy silence, the faint glow of the shard pulsed in Zarya’s hand, a quiet reminder of the challenges that lay ahead.

  Their journey was far from over.