Eowyn
The journey back to the compound was tense but uneventful, the crystal safely contained within a specially designed carrier that Sage had sent with the guards. The amulet we had created for Lyra's protection proved remarkably effective at stabilizing the crystal's energy during transport, confirming Vivi's theory about the connection between the artifact and Lyra's dual nature.
As we approached the compound gates, I sensed a shift in the barrier's energy—not a disruption, but a kind of recognition, as if the ancient equilibrium was acknowledging the return of a long-missing component. The crystal, too, seemed to respond, its pulsing light synchronizing with the subtle rhythm of the barrier itself.
"It belongs here," I murmured to Vivi, who walked beside me. "This territory, this specific location—it's where the crystal was meant to be."
She nodded, her golden eyes thoughtful. "Which raises the question of how it ended up in the northern caves, and why the Council scattered these
