Elara's awareness floated in the starlit void, watching her mates kneel on the bridge below.
Their sadness cut through her like knives.
She wanted to reach out, to tell them she was still here, but her new form felt strange and wrong. I have to find a way back to them.
But before she could even try, the space around her started to shake.
Ancient voices echoed from the darkness, speaking in languages older than time. "Who dares enter our realm without permission?" "A newborn Bridge Walker thinks she can reshape reality?"
"She must be taught her place." Massive forms emerged from the void—beings of pure energy and malice. Their boss stepped forward, towering over Elara's silver light form.
"I am Vex, Guardian of the Between. You have violated our rules, child." "I was saving my world," Elara said, her voice echoing weirdly in this place.
"Your world? You belong to us now. Your old life is finished." "No!" Elara's power flared, sending silver waves crashing outward.
