There was not much you could do about such forces and the knowledge of the system was beyond yours. Feeling hopeless you suggest to Drue that you continue toward the center of the island, to the exact point illuminated on the table's surface. At the point you sought there was a small, floating cliff about 3 meters above you which was all but empty, except for a single stone ruin. 

Drue's determination was evident as he swiftly mounted his griffon. The majestic creature reared up, its powerful wings flaring as it let out a piercing screech that echoed across the fractured landscape. With a firm grip, Drue guided the griffon upward, riding the gusts of wind toward the floating cliff that had broken away.

You watched as the griffon ascended. The air was thick with tension, every heartbeat echoing the island's instability. Drue's mission was crucial—deciphering the runes could be the key to saving Vay.

As Drue reached the floating cliff, he landed gracefully and dismounted. The stone ruin, ancient and mysterious, stood solitary amidst the drifting landscape. The runes on its surface glowed with an ethereal light, pulsing gently as if alive. Drue approached with reverence, his eyes tracing the intricate patterns and symbols that seemed to hold the secrets of the ages.

He yelled down to us, "This structure has been here for millennia," Drue says. "No one knows what it's for. But those runes — I've never seen them glowing like that."

"Maybe it's reacting to the towers," Alster suggests. "The three islands are connected now."

Haden suggested, "It could be a clue to restoring Vay, or locating the sibling of light — or something else entirely. There's no way to know right now." You say, "Well that was helpful Haden," in a mocking voice you emulate Haden, "It could be anything!" 

Haden looked at you sternly, "How old are  you again? Oh that's right you are 12! We have to be serious right now, this island is at stake." 

"Ok, I was just having some fun," You say apologetically thinking under different circumstances your comment might have gotten a laugh. 

"Whatever it means," Talik says, "it has to be important if the table led us here, right?"

Drue falls silent, seeming deep in thought. His gaze scans the runes, perhaps searching for answers in their patterns.

"Up there — look." Talik points above your heads. You squint, and after a second notice what appears to be particles trailing on the wind, visible from underneath against the sky, away from the tip of the stone ruin.

"It's some kind of energy," Talik says.

Drue walks to the cliff's edge, his toes visible to you as you watch him. "We should follow its path. The other cloud condenser is on that side of the island. I only hope …"

Whatever he's about to say, he doesn't finish. But you already know what he's worried about. If something happens to the second cloud condenser, the people of Vay are in serious trouble. Drue takes a rope from the griffon's saddle and throws it down to you. Haden is first to shimmy up the rope and you all follow. "Lets work out this Rune message before we follow that trail of energy," Drue said as he helped us up to the floating cliff chunk. 

Kneeling before the runes, Drue began to read, his fingers brushing against the cool stone. The runes whispered their secrets, their meanings unfolding in his mind. His face grew stern, the weight of the message clearly impacting him. "So you can read runes?" You asked impatiently. Then turning to Haden knowing that you had already bugged her said, "He can read.... in two languages." And you gave her a little poke in the ribs with your pointer finger in a tickling motion. 

Haden slapped away your finger and with a wry smile fired back, "I can read, what are you the chief of the book guardians all of a sudden?"

Drue focused with a sense of urgency. Then his eyes met yours, and you could see the gravity of what he had discovered. It read...

ᛏᚺᛖ ᛊᛖᚲᚱᛖᛏ ᛁᛊ ᛁᚾ ᚱᚢᛁᚾᛊ, ᛁᛟᚢ ᚨᚱᛖ ᛞᚱᚨᚹᚾ ᛏᛟ ᛁᛏ 

"The runes," Drue began, his voice steady but filled with a somber tone, "speak of an ancient energy source, one that predates even the cloud condensers. It mentions a 'Heart of Vay,' a core of elemental power that sustains the island. The energy we saw trailing from the ruin must be connected to this 'Heart'. The runes warn that if the Heart is disrupted, the entire island will fragment beyond repair."

The group fell silent, the enormity of the situation sinking in. You interrupt the moment. "You got all that from the runes writing?" 

"No," Drue responded. "its as if there was a message in my head when I focused and read the words."

"Is there anything about the sibling of light?" Alster asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Drue nodded. "Yes. The sibling of light is a guardian of the Heart. It's not just a person or an artifact; it's a conduit that can stabilize the Heart’s energy. The runes say that the sibling of light must be awakened to mend the fractures and restore balance."

"How do we find the sibling?" Talik asked with renewed intensity.

Drue pointed toward the path of the energy particles. "The energy is leading us to the second cloud condenser. If we follow it, we might find more clues, or even the sibling of light itself. But we must hurry. If the second condenser falls, Vay’s fate is sealed."

Determination filled the group as you all understood the stakes. Every moment counted, and the future of the island depended on your actions. With Drue leading the way, you set off, the path ahead uncertain but your resolve unwavering. The Heart of Vay must be saved, and the sibling of light awakened, before it was too late.

What was the exact message in the rune Elder Furthark translation? Find out and type the message in Thy Quests to continue. You may need help from the Tome of Knowledge here. 

Next: E7Q1 Into the Mists