The figure that appeared before them was unlike anything Kai had ever seen. His presence was overwhelming, a force of nature that commanded the very air around him. His eyes—piercing gold that seemed to reflect the intensity of the sun—burned with an unspoken power.
"I am Solis," the man said again, his voice deep and unwavering. "And I've come for the artifact."
Kai's grip tightened around his sword, his newfound power still coursing through him. The energy that had surged from the artifact had given him strength, but standing before this man, he could sense that he was outmatched.
"You're welcome to try," Kai said, his voice steady despite the unease gnawing at him. "But I'm not handing it over."
Solis' lips curled into a faint smile, though his eyes never lost their intensity. "I don't believe I need your permission," he said calmly. "The artifact belongs to the sun, and it will return to its rightful place."
Lyra stepped forward, her eyes locked on Solis with a mixture of suspicion and respect. "Solis," she said cautiously. "What do you want with the artifact? It's more than just a tool—it's a force. You cannot control it."
Solis' gaze flicked briefly to Lyra, and for a moment, the tension in the air seemed to lessen. "I am not here to control it," he replied. "I am here to restore balance. The artifact was forged by the Old Ones to protect this world, but it has fallen into the hands of those who seek to use it for destruction. I intend to return it to where it belongs."
Kai's mind raced, trying to piece together the implications of Solis' words. This man—this being—was no ordinary opponent. He carried the weight of something ancient, something tied to the very foundations of the world.
"What are you really after?" Kai demanded, his voice sharp. "This isn't about balance. The Eclipse Order came for it, and you're no different."
Solis met his gaze, his eyes flickering with something close to amusement. "You still don't understand, do you? The artifact's true power is not meant for any one person. It was never meant to be wielded by a single being, not even the royal bloodline." He looked at Aria, who had been silently watching the exchange, her eyes filled with fear and confusion. "The artifact is not a weapon. It is a key—a key to unlocking the true potential of this world. And that potential must be freed."
"Freed?" Kai echoed. "What does that even mean?"
"It means," Solis said, his voice lowering with quiet intensity, "that the world as you know it must change. And only the artifact can make that happen."
Kai shook his head. "I've seen enough of this world to know it's not perfect, but it's the one we have. We can't just rewrite everything because you say it's broken."
Solis' expression hardened. "You misunderstand. I'm not here to destroy what you know, but to rebuild it. To give humanity a chance to rise above its mistakes. The artifact will bring about a new age."
The air around them shifted again, the weight of Solis' words hanging like a storm cloud. The tension between them was palpable, and Kai could feel the pull of the artifact at his side, its energy calling to him. But the more he listened to Solis, the more uneasy he became. This man—this being—was not only powerful; he was playing a dangerous game.
"I won't let you use it for your own ends," Lyra said, her voice sharp with resolve. "I'll stop you if I have to."
Solis turned his gaze to her, his eyes glowing with quiet fury. "You would challenge me, Lyra? After all we've been through?"
Lyra's stance didn't falter. "I've seen what happens when power like yours is unchecked. The Eclipse Order isn't the only threat in this world. And you're no better."
A cold silence hung between them, the air thick with unspoken words. Finally, Solis broke the silence, his voice a low rumble.
"You are stubborn, Lyra. But your loyalty blinds you to the truth." He stepped closer to Kai, his eyes fixed on the artifact. "This world is on the brink of collapse. And you, Kai, are the key to everything."
Kai felt a surge of power at those words, a deep resonance from the artifact. It was as if the very air around him had shifted, aligning with the pulse of energy that now thrummed within him. He looked at Solis, his eyes narrowing.
"You don't control me," Kai said, his voice low and unwavering. "I'll decide what happens with this artifact."
Solis' eyes flickered with amusement once more. "You're right, Kai. The artifact will choose its true bearer in the end. But know this—you cannot run from destiny."
With a flick of his wrist, Solis summoned a wave of energy, sending a shockwave through the clearing. Lyra barely had time to react as the blast hit her, throwing her to the ground.
"No!" Kai shouted, rushing forward to protect her.
But as he reached her side, the world around them began to blur. The artifact pulsed with an energy that was beyond anything he had felt before. And as the light intensified, the air seemed to warp, distorting the very fabric of reality itself.
And then, in an instant, everything went black.