Karkan, the Alpha of the Desert Pack, led Lyra, Kaelan, and Elara through a labyrinth of rocky canyons. The air grew cooler, and the scent of damp earth rose from narrow rock crevices, despite the arid climate. Finally, they reached a gigantic cave, hidden deep within the heart of the mountain.
The interior of the cave was impressive. Natural stone columns reached the ceiling, and the walls were covered with intricate carvings depicting the history of the Desert Pack – their battles, their migrations, and their deep connection to the desert. In the center of the chamber was a niche where the Crystal of Dreams rested. It was enormous, gleaming with many colors, emanating a delicate, almost mesmerizing light. Lyra sensed a powerful, ancient Primeval Magic within it.
"This is our Crystal of Dreams," Karkan said, his voice filled with reverence. "It holds the memories of all generations of our pack. Every experience, every joy, every loss – everything is recorded within it. It is our legacy."
Lyra approached the crystal. When Karkan warned that their traditions were strong, Lyra now understood why. Their identity was inextricably linked to this crystal.
"The Shadow of Oblivion has already tried to attack it," Karkan continued. "You saw its manifestations outside. But the crystal is resilient. It is… unyielding. However, we feel its presence. Sometimes, when we try to connect, we feel coldness within it. Emptiness."
Lyra placed her hand on the surface of the Crystal of Dreams. She felt a subtle resistance, as if the crystal, though powerful, was weary. She also felt the subtle pulsation of the Shadow of Oblivion, attempting to penetrate its protective barriers. It was like a fog trying to obscure thousands of years of memories.
"The Shadow cannot destroy memories that have been recorded in this way," Lyra explained. "But it can dim them, make them inaccessible. Make you feel disconnected from your own history. We must cleanse the crystal and strengthen its protection so that the Song of Life can fill it and its power can be fully utilized."
Karkan nodded. "We are ready. You will lead us, Luna."
Lyra closed her eyes and focused. She began to pour her Primeval Magic into the Crystal of Dreams, and with it, she allowed the Song of Life to resonate in her mind. This time, the Song was deeper, more complex, resonating with thousands of years of human and werewolf experiences.
As the Song of Life began to fill the Crystal of Dreams, images began to emerge from within it. These were not just visions, as in the City of Whispers, but full, three-dimensional, almost tangible echoes of memories. Lyra, Kaelan, Elara, and the werewolves of the Desert Pack were engulfed by this wave of history.
They saw the lives of past generations of the Desert Pack: their hunts in the desert, their rituals, their struggles for survival. They saw their joys and their sorrows. There was a deep connection to the land, to the desert that gave them strength. They also saw encounters with other packs, with Blood Moon Lunas, in times when alliances were strong.
Among these echoes of the past, Lyra perceived something important. She saw the moment when the Shadow of Oblivion first reached the desert. It did not attack frontally, but subtly, trying to disrupt memories, to sow seeds of doubt in the hearts of the werewolves. There was a scene where one of the Desert Pack's ancestors, a wise shaman, tried to repel the Shadow, but his power was insufficient. She understood that the Shadow of Oblivion acted differently in different places, adapting to the psyche and nature of a given bastion.
As the Song of Life reached its peak, a wave of pure, white light shot from the Crystal of Dreams, spreading throughout the cave. The Shadow of Oblivion, which had attempted to penetrate the crystal, was immediately repelled, hissing and vanishing into the darkness. The cave shook, and tiny crystals fell from its walls, illuminating the floor.
The Crystal of Dreams now pulsed with powerful, pure energy. Its colors became more vivid, and its radiance more intense. The Desert Pack werewolves felt a surge of energy, and their eyes widened in shock and awe. Their own memories became clearer, more vivid.
"This… this is incredible," Karkan whispered, his voice full of admiration. "To feel them all. Our ancestors. Their strength."
Lyra, though exhausted, felt immense satisfaction. The cleansing of the Crystal of Dreams was a success. Within it, she now felt not only the memories of the Desert Pack but also broader echoes that connected to other bastions.
Kaelan approached Lyra, helping her to stand. "Well done, Luna. Your Song of Life is growing ever more powerful."
Lyra nodded. "I felt it. The Song of Life not only heals but also connects. I felt connected to all the memories in the crystal. And also… I felt something more. Something that is not in the bastions. Something that is hidden."
Aeris's voice resonated in her mind: Yes, Luna. With each bastion, the Song of Life becomes fuller. With each cleansing, you gain a new piece of knowledge. The true source of the Shadow of Oblivion is not just in one place. It is a network that binds all emptiness.
It was difficult to comprehend, but Lyra felt that Aeris was right. The Shadow of Oblivion was not just a physical entity, but also a psychic one, destroying memories and bonds.
Karkan approached Lyra. "Luna, tell us what now. We are ready to follow you." The Desert Pack, who had only recently been distrustful and isolated, now looked at Lyra with new respect and trust. They understood that Lyra was not a threat, but their only hope.
Lyra looked at the Map of the Primordials, which seemed to glow brighter. "We must continue. The map points to another bastion in the northern mountains. This is where the Eyes of Memory are hidden. Ancient artifacts that are supposedly able to show the true nature of every being."
Kaelan hesitated. "The northern mountains… that's the territory of the Ice Pack. They are… even more isolated. And known for their indifference to the outside world. They rarely let anyone into their lands."
Lyra nodded. She knew that each new encounter would be a challenge. But now they had Elara, who could help with negotiations, and Karkan, who could testify to the power of the Song of Life. They had to unite everyone.
Elara approached Lyra, her eyes full of determination. "I will go with you, Luna. We must defeat the Shadow of Oblivion. We must ensure that no other city experiences the emptiness I felt."
With a new alliance and a clear goal, Lyra, Kaelan, and Elara prepared for their next, potentially most difficult, journey. They knew they had a long way to go, but with each step, the Song of Life grew stronger, and hope spread throughout the world.