The Eclipse moved like a ghost through space, cloaked by technologies older than the stars it sailed between, It was a relic of the Ancients—its hull lined with runes, its engine fed by a dormant starheart, its AI more oracle than machine, Kaelen stood on the bridge in silence, eyes fixed on the swirling clouds of Thal'mira below.
Three days had passed since the third Starborn awoke, Three days since Taran Vel lit the flame that echoed across the Realms.
Now Kaelen was here.
Seris entered the bridge, armored and ready, her rifle slung over her shoulder "Orbital scans confirm the temple's still drifting, Minimal defenses, No sign of interference."
Kaelen nodded slowly, "That'll change the moment we touch the surface, The Voidspawn are watching."
"You're sure they've sensed him?"
"They always do," Kaelen murmured "When the Light stirs, the Dark follows."
Seris didn't reply, There was no point, They both knew what was at stake.
"Prep the dropcraft," he said "I'm going down."
Seris arched an eyebrow "Alone?"
"He'll feel safer, He's only just awakened."
"And if the Voidspawn get there first?"
Kaelen turned, his voice quiet "Then may the stars forgive me for what I must do."
The dropcraft cut through Thal'mira's atmosphere like a silver spear, cloaked until the last second before landing silently on the edge of the temple's floating plateau, Kaelen stepped out into the thin, crisp air, cloak snapping in the wind, The temple loomed ahead — a fortress of stone and flame, ancient but unbroken.
He felt the power immediately, Like walking into a song only he could hear.
Taran was near.
The monks met him at the outer gate, Their robes fluttered, their faces a mix of reverence and suspicion, Most were old, but one stepped forward — tall, lean, eyes sharp with wisdom, Master Iro.
"You are not of this world," the elder said calmly.
"No," Kaelen replied. "But I'm here for one who is."
Master Iro studied him "You know what he is becoming."
"I know what he already is."
The old monk hesitated, then gestured for Kaelen to follow.
They led him through the halls of Kiruva — ancient corridors carved by hand, lit by hovering flame orbs that floated like fireflies. Symbols covered every surface. Prayers, Prophecies, Warnings.
Kaelen touched one as he passed — a circle of seven stars, half faded.
The Starborn Sigil.
"He's in the inner sanctum," Master Iro said. "He hasn't spoken since the flame rose. He speaks through silence now."
Kaelen entered the sanctum alone.
It was vast — an open chamber with no roof, open to the sky and stars above. At the center sat Taran Vel, cross-legged, floating a few feet above the ground, surrounded by a slow spiral of glowing ash.
Kaelen didn't speak at first. He simply watched. The boy's eyes were closed, his breathing calm. The flame within him burned steady.
"You're not afraid," Kaelen said softly.
Taran opened his eyes. "I've already seen my death."
Kaelen raised an eyebrow. "That so?"
Taran nodded. "It happens in fire. But not here. Not yet."
Kaelen stepped closer. "You've felt the others?"
"I know the girl," Taran said. "Lyra. Her dreams are loud. They echo through me."
"And the boy?"
"He hides behind metal. But the code is unraveling, He'll come."
Kaelen exhaled slowly. "You're more awake than I expected."
"I've been preparing since birth," Taran said. "This body is not mine, It's a vessel."
"Who told you that?"
"No one, I was born remembering things I shouldn't."
Kaelen crouched beside him "Then you know what's coming."
Taran didn't blink "The Realms are collapsing, The Veil is bleeding, The old laws are breaking, And the Void is stirring."
Kaelen felt the cold truth of the words settle into the chamber like frost.
"You'll be hunted," he said.
"I already am."
Kaelen reached into his cloak and pulled something small from a case — a shard of crystal, silver-veined, glowing faintly.
A Starcore Fragment.
"Take it," he said.
Taran held out his hand, The fragment floated to him, hovering above his palm.
The moment it touched his skin, flame exploded around them—white-hot and silent, Kaelen's cloak snapped backward. The stone beneath them cracked.
And for a moment… he saw it.
A vision, shared through the fragment.
Seven Starborn standing in a circle of light.
A massive warship tearing through dimensions.
A god-king with eyes of void, reaching toward them.
And Kaelen, older… dying.
He gasped and pulled back, The vision faded, Taran's eyes burned gold.
"Is that what's coming?" he asked.
Kaelen's voice was hoarse "That's just one possible end."
Taran stood, "Then let's write another one."
Meanwhile, aboard the Eclipse, Seris watched the scans anxiously, Something felt off.
A sudden spike, A tremor in the energy field.
She leaned forward "Kaelen… you need to leave, Now."
Back in the sanctum, Kaelen's comm hissed.
"Voidspawn," Seris's voice crackled, "Inbound, Three—no, five signatures Fast, Distortion fields active, You have minutes."
Kaelen cursed "Taran—"
But Taran was already moving.
His feet touched the ground, The stone beneath him erupted in flame, A low hum filled the air.
"I will not let them defile this temple."
Kaelen drew his blade — a weapon of both tech and magic, pulsing with energy "Then we stand together."
The first Voidspawn landed with a sound like screaming wind.
It didn't walk, It flowed — black as midnight oil, humanoid in shape but constantly shifting, as if reality rejected it, Eyes like twin voids stared from a head without a face.
Then more came, Twisting, silent horrors. Too many.
"Stay close to me" Kaelen said.
Taran stepped forward "No. Let me show you what I've remembered."
He raised his hands. The ground trembled. The flame from the central altar surged outward, wrapping around him like armor.
The Voidspawn charged.
Kaelen met them in a flash of steel and light, blade slicing through shadow. Each kill burned his energy — they were harder to kill now, more real.
But then flame erupted behind him — living fire, shaped like wings.
Taran moved like lightning. Every strike, every step, a memory reborn. The Voidspawn screamed as fire scorched them, pushed back by a force they hadn't felt in ages.
The Flameborn, The Forgotten Spark.
One of them turned to flee.
Taran pointed a hand, and the flame chased it — a serpent of light that consumed it midair.
Silence fell.
Ash drifted.
Kaelen lowered his sword.
Taran stood among the embers, eyes glowing faintly. "They're testing us. Small ones now. The larger ones will come soon."
Kaelen nodded, chest heaving "That was… impressive."
"I only remembered," Taran said. "I haven't even begun."
That night, the Eclipse hovered low above Thal'mira's skies. Kaelen and Taran boarded together.
Seris met them at the ramp "So… he's the real deal."
"He is," Kaelen said "And he's coming with us."
Taran looked out at the stars. "We need to find the others, Fast."
Kaelen nodded "Then we go to Earth next."
Far away, in the void between Realms, a massive eye opened.
The Void-King had seen the light.
And he would answer it with darkness.