They had now unlocked the full extent of their powers. The path was clear, and their destination—marked by the statue of their ancient King—loomed ahead. But what none of them knew was that destroying the statue would change nothing. And I—I couldn't tell them. For if I interfered, the future might alter.
I wouldn't allow you to go, I whispered into the wind.
With that silent command, I cast an infinite illusion upon Aarav, Saanvi, and Zabuza—an illusion so vast it entrapped them in the happiest memories of their lives, moments of laughter, warmth, and peace.
Yet Aarav, determined as ever, whispered to himself, "I will bring you back."
He moved towards Saanvi and Zabuza, reaching into their very essence. From them, he extracted fragments of Eternis's power—25% from Saanvi, and another 25% from Zabuza. With 50% of Eternis's power now in his possession, he vanished, leaving behind only the weakened illusion for Aarav to shatter.
And then, with calm precision, he placed Drothul's lifeless body before Aarav. A reminder. A message.
He teleported directly to Eternis.
"What you said... will come true," he said, eyes unwavering.
And together, they advanced toward the Sacred Domain.
Inside the domain stood four statues: the dormant vessels of Xal'Vakar's fragments—Kanexus, Erevhanthe, Lumentoa, and Nyxarion. One by one, the statues began to react as power surged through them.
But then, the other five beasts arrived: Scindarel, Zephyrix, Thargul, Aelsyra, and Vorthanox. Scindarel immediately broke the illusion holding the others.
Eternis looked on, stunned—not because power was being taken, but because it was being given. Slowly, Kanexus began to stir, his soul fragment awakening.
The five beasts attacked, seeking to keep him weak.
Meanwhile, Aarav shattered the last of his illusion. A letter awaited him—delivered by fate.
It warned him:
Do not bring Saanvi or Zabuza.
Extract Drothul's core and consume it.
Choose one of the 25% Eternis fragments and bring it.
Consume the other.
Come secretly.
He obeyed.
Back in the Sacred Domain, only 25% of Eternis's power remained. Suddenly, Kanexus and Erevhanthe awakened fully, their presence shaking the entire realm in a cataclysmic quake.
The beasts, once enemies, cheered. The old world was breaking.
And then—a surge of power.
A new presence descended, radiant and terrifying. A power so massive, the air itself shivered.
Steve stepped forward.
"I know you're following me," he said. "Come out. We must save Eternis."
He rushed to Eternis's side.
"Now we must leave."
And they vanished.
The illusion of the fake Aarav crumbled.
Steve approached Aarav, a dark grin on his face. "I have a gift for you," he said.
From his side, he revealed the lifeless body of Scindarel.
"A small token, from me to you."
He pulled a crystal from Scindarel's corpse and handed it to Aarav. In that instant, Aarav's power surged—17%, 25%, 10%, and another 15%. 67% in total.
And as his strength grew, Eternis, who had been unconscious, opened his eyes once again.
He spoke:
...