Chapter 200. Joyous Reunion

Celeste’s POV

The Goddess Rene then told us exactly what had happened in Ironshade Village: the Dreadmaw pack forces had descended upon it, overwhelming the defenders and snatching away the Core of Verdance—a radiant power gem suffused with the essence of life itself. My heart pounded as she revealed this startling development. Even more alarming was the fact that Nora and I were soon to journey to a second village in search of its counterpart gem, the Gaze of Eternis, which paired with the Core to form a duo of immense potency.

This news was beyond shocking. What were the Dreadmaw pack’s true intentions? Why did they covet these two fabled gems, especially now that they had also acquired the Keystone rope?

I steeled myself and leaned forward. “Goddess,” I began, voice steady despite the turmoil inside me, “in the underground city of the Dreadmaw pack Beta, Byron stole the Keystone rope—another artifact of staggering magical power. What do you think they’re