In a sheltered alcove, Elmira set wards. Garrick hunted goats. Nynieve shared stories and healed.
Arin stared at the glow. Whispers grew louder: You alone can hold eternity…
He confessed to Elmira, "The Stone shows me nations erased, mountains leveled. I'm not ready."
Elmira nodded. "It was forged for balance but corrupts even legendary beings like Krazul. Reach it before he claims it."
Garrick returned. "Eat. Talk strategy later."
They discussed nations: Vorath's two champions, Sylvandar's Elandor, Bloodfang's Gromthar, Ironpeak's Durnak (legendary), and unbound legendary forces like Seraphyx and Krazul.
Sleep was broken by shadow tendrils testing wards. Krazul's influence spread.
Morning brought rune-golems from Durnak. Garrick clashed with stone fists. Elmira's spells glanced off. Nynieve kept him alive. Arin struck a weak rune joint, shattering one. The rest retreated.
Elmira leaned on her staff. "Legendary champions now deploy. Time runs out."
They ascended. Air grew electric. The cavern maw loomed, glowing veins of starlight framing it.
Krazul's voice rumbled from below: "The Chosen One comes… good. I will take the Stone from your corpse."
The group exchanged grim looks. The true war had arrived.