Legacies : The First Witch’s Legacy

Chapter 19: A Fateful Proposition

The aftermath of Eidolon's attack left the Salvatore School shaken but determined. The students worked together to repair the damage, but the tension lingered. They had seen Adam's unleashed power, and while it had saved them, it also raised questions about the price he was paying for every victory.

Adam stood alone in the training room, practicing with his blade. Each swing was precise, yet there was a fury behind his movements, a silent rage simmering beneath his calm exterior. The Third Ring glowed faintly on his hand, a constant reminder of the sacrifice he had made to unlock its power.

"Burning off steam?"

Adam turned to see Hope leaning against the doorway, her arms crossed.

"Something like that," he replied, lowering his blade.

She stepped closer, her expression serious. "You've been distant since the fight. Is it because of the third ring?"

Adam hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor. "Every time I break a seal, I get stronger, but I also lose something. Pieces of myself that I thought were gone are coming back, but they don't fit anymore. It's like trying to put together a puzzle with the wrong pieces."

Hope frowned, her heart aching at his words. She had seen glimpses of Adam's pain, but hearing it laid bare was different.

"You're not just sacrificing for yourself," she said softly. "You're doing this for all of us. For me."

Adam looked at her, his eyes searching hers. "And what happens when I'm not enough? When these powers I've unlocked still fall short?"

Hope stepped closer, placing a hand on his arm. "You're not alone in this, Adam. You don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders."

The two of them were interrupted by Alaric's voice over the intercom, calling them to the war room. When they arrived, they found Josie, Lizzie, and Kaleb already there, their expressions grim. On the table lay the three fragments they had collected, their energy growing more intense with each passing moment.

"The fragments are reacting to something," Alaric explained. "We don't know what, but it's happening faster than we anticipated."

Josie leaned forward, her brow furrowed. "It's like they're trying to fuse together, but they're missing something."

Adam crossed his arms. "The Fourth Seal."

Hope nodded. "Then we need to find it before whatever's causing this gets out of control."

Kaleb looked at Adam. "Do we even know where to start? These fragments aren't exactly leaving a trail of breadcrumbs."

Adam stepped closer to the table, his hand hovering over the fragments. He closed his eyes, focusing on the energy radiating from them. A vision flashed through his mind—dark forests, ancient ruins, and a towering obelisk surrounded by a swirling vortex of energy.

When he opened his eyes, his expression was grim. "I know where it is."

The journey to the obelisk was treacherous. Hidden deep within an ancient forest, the ruins were protected by powerful enchantments designed to keep intruders out. The group traveled in silence, the weight of their mission pressing heavily on their minds.

When they finally arrived, the sight before them was both awe-inspiring and ominous. The obelisk rose high into the sky, its surface etched with glowing runes that pulsed in rhythm with the fragments Adam carried. The air around it crackled with energy, and the swirling vortex at its base seemed to whisper in an ancient, forgotten language.

"This place feels… wrong," Lizzie muttered, shivering.

Hope stepped forward, her magic flaring to life. "Whatever's here, we're not leaving without the Fourth Seal."

As they approached the obelisk, the vortex surged, and a figure emerged from its depths. The Guardian of the Fourth Seal was unlike any foe they had faced before—a being of pure energy, its form constantly shifting between shapes and colors.

"You seek the Fourth Seal," the Guardian said, its voice echoing like a thousand whispers. "But to claim it, you must prove your worth."

Adam stepped forward, his blade drawn. "Then let's get this over with."

The battle that followed was a whirlwind of light and chaos. The Guardian moved with impossible speed, its attacks striking like lightning and leaving destruction in their wake. Adam fought with everything he had, his blade clashing against the Guardian's energy constructs.

Hope and the others provided support, their combined magic creating shields and distractions that allowed Adam to land critical blows. But the Guardian was relentless, its power growing with every passing moment.

"You are strong," the Guardian said, its voice filled with both admiration and warning. "But strength alone will not save you."

Adam gritted his teeth, his body aching from the strain of the fight. He knew the Guardian was testing more than just his power—it was testing his resolve, his willingness to sacrifice everything for the sake of his mission.

In a final, desperate move, Adam activated the Third Ring's full power. The energy surged through him, amplifying his abilities to their limit. With a roar, he struck the Guardian with a blow that shattered its form, leaving behind a glowing sphere—the Fourth Seal.

As Adam reached for the seal, the Guardian's voice echoed one last time.

"Your path is not yet complete. The seals you gather will test more than your strength—they will test your soul."

Adam took the sphere, its energy merging with the fragments in his possession. The power was overwhelming, but he held firm, knowing that the stakes were too high to falter now.

As the group made their way back to the school, Adam couldn't shake the Guardian's final words. The seals were more than keys—they were a reflection of his inner struggles, his sacrifices, and his determination to protect those he cared about.

And though the path ahead was uncertain, one thing was clear: he couldn't do this alone.