《A Shattered Star》 Chapter 1 : Echoes of the Past The rain hammered down on the rooftops of Amara City, its rhythmic drumbeat echoing through the narrow alleys. Inside a cluttered attic, Liora Kael brushed dust off an old leather journal. The faint scent of parchment and ink triggered a flood of memories¡ªher father¡¯s voice, warm and steady, as he spoke of faraway lands and impossible discoveries. ¡°This is it, Dad,¡± she whispered, flipping through the pages. Her heart raced as she uncovered a folded map, its edges frayed with time. A single name stood out, written in her father¡¯s bold hand: The Shattered Star.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. ¡°What are you doing up here?¡± Elias''s voice startled her. He stood at the doorway, his goggles pushed up on his forehead, his curious eyes scanning the mess. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re chasing another one of his myths.¡± Liora held up the map, her eyes blazing with determination. ¡°It¡¯s not a myth. It¡¯s real, and I¡¯m going to find it.¡± Elias sighed, stepping closer. ¡°You¡¯re going to need more than a dream, Liora. You¡¯ll need help.¡± ? Get access to advanced chapter only on my Patreon. patreon(.)com/Bersertales Chapter 2 : A Mercenarys Offer The narrow streets of Amara City were alive with the buzz of merchants, travelers, and the occasional thief. Liora and Elias stood in the shadows of an old tavern, pouring over the faded map. ¡°We¡¯ll need transportation,¡± Elias said, adjusting his goggles. ¡°And protection.¡± Liora frowned. ¡°Protection? We¡¯ve done this sort of thing before, Elias. We don¡¯t need a babysitter.¡± Before Elias could reply, a voice cut through the din. ¡°If you¡¯re heading where I think you¡¯re heading, you¡¯ll need more than a babysitter.¡±This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. They turned to see a man leaning casually against the wall. His dark cloak barely concealed the array of weapons strapped to him, and a faint scar traced his jawline. ¡°Who are you?¡± Liora asked, instinctively stepping in front of Elias. ¡°Darian Voss,¡± the man said. ¡°Mercenary, tracker, and the only chance you¡¯ve got of surviving Kashar¡¯s jungle.¡± Liora crossed her arms. ¡°Why should we trust you?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to,¡± Darian said with a smirk. ¡°But you¡¯re not the only ones looking for the Shattered Star. I can help you get there first.¡± After a tense silence, Elias spoke up. ¡°He¡¯s right. If Raven¡¯s involved, we¡¯ll need someone like him.¡± Liora hesitated but nodded. ¡°Fine. But if you double-cross us¡­¡± Darian grinned. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dream ofi t.¡± ? Get access to advanced chapter only on my Patreon. patreon(.)com/Bersertales Chapter 3 : The Black Market Raid The air in the underground market was thick with smoke and whispers. Merchants hawked everything from ancient artifacts to illicit weaponry, their stalls lit by dim lanterns. ¡°We need supplies,¡± Liora whispered. ¡°Something to handle traps, and definitely weapons.¡± Darian led the way, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. ¡°Stay close. This place isn¡¯t for the faint of heart.¡±Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. As they negotiated with a surly merchant, a group of armed men approached. Their leader, a burly man with a crooked nose, sneered. ¡°What do we have here? Treasure hunters?¡± Darian stepped forward, hand resting on the hilt of his sword. ¡°Back off.¡± The man laughed. ¡°Not a chance. Hand over the map, and we might let you walk out of here.¡± Before anyone could react, Darian moved like a shadow. In seconds, the leader was disarmed, and his men scattered. Liora stared at Darian, her heart racing. ¡°Remind me not to get on your bad side.¡± He smirked. ¡°Smart choice.¡± ? Get access to advanced chapter only on my Patreon. patreon(.)com/Bersertales Chapter 4 : Tensions Rise As the group ventured deeper into Kashar¡¯s jungle, the heat was oppressive, and the air buzzed with insects. Elias adjusted his pack. ¡°Are we sure this guy knows where he¡¯s going?¡± Darian shot him a glare. ¡°I could ask the same about you.¡±Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ¡°Enough,¡± Liora snapped. ¡°We¡¯re all here for the same reason. Let¡¯s focus.¡± They continued in silence until they reached a clearing. In the center stood a crumbling stone statue, its eyes glinting with something metallic. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± Liora whispered. ¡°The first marker.¡± As she approached, Darian grabbed her arm. ¡°Wait. Traps.¡± He threw a rock ahead, and the ground collapsed, revealing a spiked pit. Liora swallowed hard. ¡°Point taken.¡± Elias grinned nervously. ¡°I¡¯m starting to like having him around.¡± ? Get access to advanced chapter only on my Patreon. patreon(.)com/Bersertales Chapter 5 : The First Trial The ruins loomed before them, their ancient stone walls covered in moss and vines. Symbols etched into the stone pulsed faintly, as though alive. ¡°This place feels¡­wrong,¡± Elias muttered. ¡°Stay sharp,¡± Darian said, his voice low.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. As they entered, the air grew cold. The floor was a mosaic of shifting tiles, and Liora immediately noticed the pattern. ¡°It¡¯s a puzzle,¡± she said, studying the symbols. ¡°Step on the wrong tile, and we¡¯re done for.¡± Elias handed her a notebook. ¡°Here, use this.¡± With trembling hands, Liora began to decipher the pattern. Sweat dripped down her brow as she guided the group across the tiles. When they reached the other side, Darian gave her a rare nod of approval. ¡°Not bad.¡± Liora smiled faintly. ¡°Don¡¯t sound too impressed.¡± ? Get access to advanced chapter only on my Patreon. patreon(.)com/Bersertales Chapter 6 : The Shard of Kashar At the heart of the ruins lay a pedestal, and atop it rested a shard of crystal that seemed to pulse with its own light. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± Liora said, awe in her voice. As she reached for it, the ground trembled, and an ancient construct emerged from the shadows¡ªa towering guardian of stone and metal.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°Get back!¡± Darian shouted, drawing his sword. Elias scrambled to activate a gadget he had been working on. ¡°Keep it busy!¡± Darian dodged the construct¡¯s massive strikes, his movements precise and calculated. Meanwhile, Liora deciphered runes on the pedestal. ¡°I¡¯ve got it!¡± she shouted, pressing a sequence of symbols. The construct froze, then collapsed into rubble. Elias handed her the shard, grinning. ¡°First one down.¡± Liora held it up, its light reflecting in her eyes. ¡°And just the beginning.¡± ? Get access to advanced chapter only on my Patreon. patreon(.)com/Bersertales Chapter 7 : Shadows in the Jungle The jungle at dusk was a symphony of sounds¡ªthe calls of distant creatures, the rustle of leaves in the wind, and the soft crackle of the campfire Liora, Elias, and Darian had set up. They sat in a tense silence, the shard resting in a small leather pouch by Liora¡¯s side. Its faint glow pulsed through the fabric like a heartbeat. ¡°This thing doesn¡¯t just hold power,¡± Elias said, breaking the silence. ¡°It feels alive.¡± ¡°It¡¯s more than that,¡± Liora replied, her voice heavy with thought. ¡°The runes I deciphered¡ªthey spoke of a connection between the shards and the stars themselves. Like they¡¯re part of something much bigger.¡± Darian, sharpening his blade a few feet away, glanced up. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. Big or small, people will kill for it. Raven¡¯s people already know we¡¯re here.¡± Elias frowned. ¡°Do you have to bring him up every five minutes?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Darian said curtly. ¡°Because he¡¯s not just chasing the shards. He¡¯s hunting you too. You think your little inventions or her book smarts are going to stop him?¡± Liora stood abruptly. ¡°That¡¯s enough, both of you.¡± She turned to Darian. ¡°If you¡¯re going to stick with us, you need to stop acting like a hired sword and start acting like a teammate.¡±This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Darian smirked. ¡°I¡¯m here because you hired me, not because I care about teamwork.¡± Before Liora could retort, a faint rustle in the trees silenced them all. Darian¡¯s hand was on his weapon in an instant, his body coiled like a predator ready to strike. Elias whispered, ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Trouble,¡± Darian replied. The group moved in unison, extinguishing the fire and taking cover behind the thick roots of an ancient tree. Liora strained her ears, catching the faint crunch of footsteps. Figures emerged from the shadows¡ªfive of them, dressed in dark cloaks and armed to the teeth. Their leader, a tall woman with a jagged scar across her cheek, surveyed the clearing. ¡°They¡¯re close,¡± she said. Her voice was sharp, commanding. ¡°Spread out. Find them.¡± Liora¡¯s breath hitched. She felt Darian¡¯s hand on her arm, a silent signal to stay put. As the enemy dispersed, Darian slipped silently into the shadows. ¡°What¡¯s he doing?¡± Elias hissed. ¡°Creating a distraction,¡± Liora whispered. ¡°Stay here.¡± She crawled toward a cluster of bushes, her heart pounding. She watched as Darian ambushed one of the cloaked figures, knocking him unconscious before disappearing into the trees. The others turned at the sound. ¡°Over there!¡± the leader barked. As they moved to investigate, Liora spotted an opening. She motioned to Elias, and they crept toward the opposite edge of the clearing. Suddenly, a hand grabbed her wrist. She turned to see the leader, her scar twisting into a cruel smile. ¡°Well, well,¡± the woman said. ¡°The archaeologist herself.¡± Before Liora could react, Darian appeared behind the leader, his blade pressed to her neck. ¡°Drop the weapon,¡± he growled. The leader hesitated, then let her blade fall to the ground. Darian¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t leave her. ¡°You tell Raven we¡¯re not his prey. We¡¯ll come to him when we¡¯re ready.¡± The leader smirked. ¡°He¡¯s already waiting.¡± Darian knocked her unconscious and turned to Liora. ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡± ? Get access to advanced chapter only on my Patreon. patreon(.)com/Bersertales Chapter 8 : The Face of the Enemy The trio arrived at a remote village deep in the jungle, its huts built high in the trees. The villagers, wary at first, welcomed them after recognizing the symbol on Liora¡¯s map. It matched an ancient artifact the villagers revered. ¡°This place feels safe,¡± Elias said, examining the intricate carvings on the huts. ¡°At least for now.¡± Liora sat with the village elder, an elderly woman named Amari, who spoke in a voice filled with wisdom. ¡°The shard you carry is a key,¡± Amari said. ¡°It is one of five. Together, they unlock great power, but also great destruction.¡± ¡°We know,¡± Liora said, her gaze firm. ¡°That¡¯s why we have to stop Raven.¡±If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Amari¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Raven is not just a man. He is the hand of the storm. Wherever he walks, chaos follows.¡± Before Liora could ask more, a commotion outside drew their attention. A villager ran into the hut, shouting in their native tongue. ¡°They¡¯re here,¡± Amari translated grimly. The village erupted into chaos as Raven¡¯s forces descended. Fires broke out, and the air filled with the clash of metal and the cries of the villagers. Darian led the charge, fighting off Raven¡¯s soldiers with brutal efficiency. Elias worked frantically to create a makeshift defense, rigging traps with whatever he could find. Liora found herself face-to-face with a figure in black armor, his helmet concealing his features. His movements were calculated, his strikes precise. ¡°You¡¯ve come far,¡± the figure said, his voice cold. ¡°But not far enough.¡± Liora parried his blow with a dagger, her mind racing. This had to be Raven. As the fight raged on, the villagers managed to push back the invaders. The armored figure retreated, leaving Liora shaken but alive. ¡°That was him, wasn¡¯t it?¡± Elias asked as they regrouped. ¡°Yes,¡± Liora said, gripping the shard tightly. ¡°And he won¡¯t stop until he has this.¡± ? Get access to advanced chapter only on my Patreon. patreon(.)com/Bersertales Chapter 9 : The Prophecy Unfolds The group sat around a fire in the village¡¯s sanctuary, nursing their wounds. Amari handed Liora an ancient scroll. ¡°This was left by the ones who forged the shards,¡± she said. ¡°It speaks of a prophecy.¡± Liora unrolled the scroll, her eyes scanning the faded symbols.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡°When the shards are whole,¡± she read aloud, ¡°a star will shatter the skies. The world will be reborn¡­ or consumed.¡± Elias leaned closer. ¡°Consumed by what?¡± ¡°By the greed of those who seek to control fate,¡± Amari replied. Darian, silent until now, stood abruptly. ¡°We should destroy the shards.¡± ¡°No,¡± Liora said firmly. ¡°If we destroy them, we lose any chance of stopping Raven.¡± ¡°And if we fail?¡± Darian countered. Liora¡¯s voice softened. ¡°Then we make sure we don¡¯t.¡± ? Get access to advanced chapter only on my Patreon. patreon(.)com/Bersertales Chapter 10 : The Road to the Desert The jungle gave way to arid plains as the group traveled westward, the humid air replaced by dry winds that carried sand and heat. Liora, Elias, and Darian trudged along a weathered trade route, their destination a sprawling desert city called Khandar. According to Amari¡¯s scroll, the second shard was hidden beneath its ruins. ¡°I hope this shard isn¡¯t guarded by another stone monster,¡± Elias said, wiping sweat from his brow. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t count on it,¡± Darian replied, scanning the horizon. ¡°If Raven knows where we¡¯re headed, there¡¯ll be worse than that waiting for us.¡± If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Liora, walking ahead, clutched the first shard in her hand. Its faint glow felt reassuring, though the weight of their mission pressed heavily on her. ¡°Let¡¯s focus on getting there first. Khandar¡¯s ruins aren¡¯t just ancient¡ªthey¡¯re dangerous. The last excavation team that went there never returned.¡± Elias gave a weak smile. ¡°Great. Another cheerful destination.¡± As they reached the edge of the desert, a caravan of merchants approached. The leader, a middle-aged man with a long beard and kind eyes, greeted them warmly. ¡°Traveling to Khandar?¡± he asked. Liora nodded. ¡°Yes. Do you know the way?¡± The man¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°I do, but I¡¯d advise against it. The ruins are cursed. People disappear there, and strange lights are seen at night.¡± ¡°We don¡¯t have a choice,¡± Liora said. The merchant hesitated, then sighed. ¡°Very well. We¡¯ll take you as far as the outskirts. But after that, you¡¯re on your own.¡± ? Get access to advanced chapter only on my Patreon. patreon(.)com/Bersertales Chapter 11 : Whispers of the Past The caravan stopped at sunset, the golden sands stretching endlessly around them. As the merchants set up camp, the group sat apart, discussing their plan. ¡°The shard is hidden in a vault beneath the city,¡± Liora explained, spreading the map out on the sand. ¡°The entrance should be here, in the central plaza.¡± ¡°And what¡¯s guarding it?¡± Darian asked. Liora hesitated. ¡°I don¡¯t know. The texts weren¡¯t clear.¡± Elias frowned. ¡°That¡¯s comforting.¡±If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Later that night, as the others slept, Liora sat by the fire, staring at the shard. Its glow seemed to pulse faintly in the darkness, as if alive. ¡°You¡¯re thinking too much,¡± Darian said, sitting down beside her. ¡°I can¡¯t help it,¡± Liora replied. ¡°This isn¡¯t just about finding a relic. It¡¯s about finishing what my father started. Proving that his work meant something.¡± Darian was silent for a moment. ¡°You don¡¯t have to prove anything to anyone. You¡¯re not him, Liora. You¡¯re you.¡± His words caught her off guard, but before she could reply, a scream tore through the night. The group sprang to their feet as chaos erupted in the camp. Shadowy figures attacked, their movements swift and calculated. ¡°Raven¡¯s men!¡± Darian shouted, drawing his sword. Elias fumbled with a small device, tossing it into the fray. It exploded in a flash of light, disorienting the attackers long enough for the group to grab their belongings and flee. As they ran into the desert, Liora¡¯s heart pounded. Raven was always one step behind¡ªand sometimes, one step ahead. ? Get access to advanced chapter only on my Patreon. patreon(.)com/Bersertales Chapter 12 : Beneath Khandar By the time they reached Khandar¡¯s ruins, dawn was breaking. The city was a skeleton of its former self, its crumbling walls half-buried in sand. The central plaza was marked by an ancient obelisk, its surface covered in worn symbols. ¡°This is it,¡± Liora said, studying the obelisk. She ran her fingers over the carvings, deciphering the ancient language. ¡°It¡¯s a riddle,¡± she murmured. ¡°To enter, the path must be lit by the sun¡¯s first kiss.¡± ¡°What does that mean?¡± Elias asked. ¡°It means we¡¯re waiting for sunrise,¡± Darian said.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. As the first rays of sunlight struck the obelisk, the ground rumbled. A section of the plaza shifted, revealing a hidden staircase descending into darkness. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Liora said, leading the way. The air grew colder as they descended. The walls of the tunnel were covered in murals depicting the creation of the shards. At the bottom, they entered a vast chamber filled with intricate mechanisms and traps. ¡°This isn¡¯t just a vault,¡± Elias said in awe. ¡°It¡¯s a test.¡± Liora examined the mechanisms. ¡°We have to align the symbols to unlock the shard¡¯s pedestal.¡± As she worked, the chamber began to shake. Darian and Elias fought off mechanical constructs that emerged from hidden panels in the walls. ¡°Anytime now, Liora!¡± Elias shouted, dodging a strike. ¡°Almost there!¡± she replied, her fingers flying over the symbols. With a final click, the mechanisms stopped, and the pedestal rose from the floor, holding the second shard. Liora grabbed it, but the chamber began to collapse. ¡°Run!¡± Darian yelled. They sprinted up the stairs as the ruins crumbled around them, barely making it out before the entrance sealed shut. ? Get access to advanced chapter only on my Patreon. patreon(.)com/Bersertales