The terrain rapidly changed from dense forest to a rocky, upward climb. The Aether Peaks were now visible, jagged purple silhouettes against the fading sky. The air thinned, and a new sound filled the silence: a dry, scraping flutter.
They were traversing a narrow, treacherous ledge when a shadow fell over them. A creature, half-bat and half-reptile, swooped down. Its scales were the color of burnt umber, and its eyes glowed a hungry, sickly yellow. This was no ordinary animal; it was a Gloom Wyvern, a guardian rumored to consume magical energy.
The Wyvern targeted Liam, sensing the powerful violet light radiating from the hexagonal crystal in his pocket. It let out a shriek that felt less like sound and more like a vacuum sucking the energy out of the air. Liam felt his strength flicker, the protective hum of the crystal momentarily faltering.
"The shield, Liam, now!" Maya shouted, bracing herself against the cliff face.
Liam forced himself to focus. He channeled every ounce of his new, integrated power. Instead of a defensive wall, he wove the energy into a shimmering violet net. He flung the net upward, and it wrapped around the Wyvern's wings. The creature thrashed violently, its yellow eyes burning holes into the net, trying to drain the magic.
Knowing the net wouldn't hold long, Liam drew the most concentrated power he could, focusing it into a razor-thin purple beam. He aimed not to hurt the creature, but to sever the dark energy connecting it to the Peaks. The beam struck the Wyvern’s chest, not with fire, but with pure, stabilizing light.
The creature didn't disintegrate; it simply faded. The sickly yellow in its eyes vanished, replaced by confusion, and then it turned, fleeing into the higher crags. Exhausted, Liam leaned on Maya. He hadn't just defeated a monster; he had purified it. They had passed the final guardian. Just above them, bathed in the moon's light, stood the true Aether Peaks, glowing faintly with thousands of hidden amethyst veins. The source was finally within reach.