Having accepted the fourth Key, Auraleaf walked into a serene, tense dawn. Lanterns floated in blue-silver twilight radiance, the pendant in Lila's hand thrumming softly with the Heartstone's pulse.
The Book of Eternity indicated the location of the fifth Key:
"Beyond river mists, where lanterns rest upon the waves, the Isles await."
The Lantern Isles—a clandestine cluster of forest and water islands along the great river past Auraleaf—were where the first of the Lantern Keepers were to be trained, a place where light and shadow danced upon the water by moons of old.
Crossing the Mists
At dawn, Lila, Eron, Elin, and two Lantern Keepers entered a tiny lantern boat whose prow had ward runes carved into it. As they pushed off, the mists swirled up around them, condensing to a misty infinity of gray.
Sprites trailed after, their whispers repeating:
"Do not fear the dark."
"The light is within."
The pendant glowed softly, lighting their way as they walked into the mists, the water beneath them dark but calm, sending fractured silver lantern light reflections above.
Arrival at the Isles
The mists shifted after a few hours of silent traveling and the Lantern Isles appeared—seven small islands covered in aged trees, lanterns hanging in mid-air, softly swaying in the quiet breeze.
In the center of the central isle was a ruined lantern tower, vines wrapping around broken stone, its top open to the sky, where a lone black lantern appeared to hang, unlit, from a ancient oak tree.
Elin wrapped her fingers around the Book of Eternity. "This is it. The fifth Key is here."
The Shadow Envoy
As they approached the lantern tower, a figure stepped out from between the shadows of the trees, dark robes wrapped, lantern eyes silver-glittering.
It was the Shadow Envoy.
Eron stepped forward before Lila, staff upraised.
The Envoy held out its hand. "I come in peace."
Lila stepped out, pendant glowing, level eyes. "What do you want?"
The Envoy replied with composure, layered like echoes:
The Gate of Dawn shall open. When it does, light and darkness will mingle. You can't stop it."
"But you can determine how it happens."
It extended a hand, revealing a small, dark lantern, its glass black, rune-scrolled.
"Take this lantern. Use shadow with your light. In the coming storm, it will protect your people.".
Lila hesitated, the pendant warming as if in warning, but with the heat, she felt a strange serenity.
The lamp of twilight
Elin said, "Perhaps a trap."
Eron nodded. "Or a test."
Lila took a breath, moved forward, and accepted the black lantern. The moment her hand closed around it, the lantern pulsed, a calm twilight light mixing light and shadow, not cold, but calm.
The Envoy dipped his head once. "When the moment comes, remember: the price of the Gate has to be paid."
Since they couldn't speak, the Envoy retreated, vanishing into the fogs, leaving nothing but silence.
The Fifth Key: Nythelen
Lila stood before the black lantern hanging over the oak tree, raising the pendant and the lantern of twilight with it. The top lantern began to radiate softly, runes illuminating along its body.
The Book of Eternity flipped over, showing a rune and a word:
"Nythelen."
Lila spoke it out:
"Nythelen."
The black lantern flared, transforming into a deep twilight color, merging with the radiance of the pendant. The pendant pulsed, a fifth rune glowed on the map of the Gate of Dawn:
"Nythelen."
Lanterns all over the Isles began to light up, changing from black to silver twilight, illuminating the old roads as the trees leaned in softly, as if breathing out after so long.
Preparing for the Return
As they made their way to leave, Elin looked back at the now-illuminated lantern spire.
"We have five," she whispered, determination in her voice.
Eron placed a hand on Lila's shoulder. "Two are remaining."
Lila took the pendant and topaz lantern, holding their gaze out to where the mists spread beyond the Isles.
"And then the Gate will open."
Above them, the lanterns glowed softly, reflected onto the river as they began their homeward journey, the mists parting to take the light of the twilight, as in the distance, a rumble of thunder echoed, a reminder that the final test was near.