The fire had burned low, casting long shadows that danced like spirits among the trees. The Veiled Expanse was still. Too still.
Cornelius couldn't sleep. The truth he'd seen in the Well of Whispers played over and over in his head—he and Lucas, once like brothers. Now, bitter enemies divided by fate's cruel design. The guilt weighed heavy on his chest. He hadn't asked to be chosen, but destiny didn't need permission.
Suddenly, a twig snapped.
He stood up, his senses sharp. His hand instinctively reached for the curved dagger at his side.
More footsteps.
Then, a figure stepped into the dying glow of the campfire. It was a woman—tall, cloaked in midnight blue with a face partially hidden beneath a dark veil. Her eyes shimmered silver, unblinking.
"You're him," she said, her voice smooth and haunting. "The Outcast who carries the Mark."
Cornelius narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
She bowed slightly. "My name is Seraphina. I was once a priestess of the Old Flame, now I serve a darker calling."
The group stirred behind Cornelius. Elara stood up, hand on her blade. "You're one of his. One of Lucas' allies."
Seraphina smirked. "Lucas prefers the term 'revolutionaries'. He believes the world is broken—and perhaps it is. But his methods…" She shook her head. "He's not the same boy you once knew, Cornelius."
Cornelius took a cautious step forward. "Why are you here?"
"To warn you," she replied. "Lucas is not waiting anymore. He's coming for the Citadel of Eldara. That city holds the last seal that guards the barrier between realms. If he destroys it, he'll open the gate to the Nether Realms permanently."
Adrian cursed under his breath. "Then what happened at the sanctuary was just the beginning."
Seraphina nodded. "The Wraith you fought? A mere fragment of what awaits on the other side. The real nightmare is still asleep, waiting for Lucas to break the chains."
"Why warn us?" Cornelius asked suspiciously.
A flicker of pain crossed her face. "Because… I once believed in him. Before he turned his back on everything we stood for. Now, he's gathering an army of forgotten beasts and cursed warriors."
The group exchanged tense glances.
"We need to leave. Now," Cornelius said.
---
They traveled for two days toward Eldara. The terrain shifted from barren mists to lush forests and finally into the glowing grasslands that surrounded the ancient city. Eldara was a marvel—sprawling towers, silver bridges, and giant stone statues of past heroes. But tension crackled in the air. Soldiers paced the gates. Watchtowers burned with blue fire.
As they approached, the guards recognized Aelyra and opened the gates.
Inside, a council awaited them.
The High Seer of Eldara—a man with gold-lined robes and a scar across his blindfolded eyes—greeted them. "We've seen your coming in the stars," he said. "And we've seen the blood that follows."
Cornelius stepped forward. "Then you know why we're here."
The Seer nodded. "Lucas means to rip apart the veil. But the seal of Eldara is more than a barrier—it's a living artifact. To destroy it, he must awaken the Guardian below the Citadel. And that… will cause chaos unlike anything before."
Tristan looked to Cornelius. "Then we stand and fight."
But the Seer shook his head. "You cannot defeat Lucas by force. His darkness grows deeper than you understand. You must uncover his final plan—and stop him before the seal awakens the Guardian. Once awakened, no force can control it."
That night, Cornelius stood alone in the tower overlooking the city. Lights twinkled across the rooftops, but his heart was heavy.
Elara joined him, resting her hand on the balcony. "You carry too much."
He didn't respond.
"You think it's your fault," she continued. "Lucas, the power, the destruction."
He nodded slowly. "He was my friend. Maybe even like a brother. If I hadn't been chosen—if I had shared the power—maybe none of this would've happened."
She turned to face him. "Or maybe the world would've been destroyed even sooner. You didn't choose this path, Cornelius. But now… now you can shape it."
A long silence.
Then a horn blew from the Citadel.
The earth trembled.
A cold wind swept through the city.
And then… it began to rain blood.
---
In the distance, the night sky cracked with dark lightning. A black storm spiraled above the mountains. A figure stood at its center—Lucas.
He raised his hand, chanting in a language long forgotten. His army marched behind him—twisted creatures born of nightmares, shadows in human form, cursed beasts that slithered in silence.
A red flare shot into the sky—his declaration of war.
Back in Eldara, Cornelius felt something stir deep within him. His mark burned on his chest. A voice echoed in his mind—a voice from the Well:
"To save the world, you must first face the darkness within."
He clenched his fists.
It was time.