The night wind howled through the cracks of the Cracked Tower, filling the silent space with a suffocating roar. Luma, Kael, and Ereth ascended slowly to the tower's highest peak, passing moss-covered stone walls and ancient magical symbols glowing faintly.
At the summit, they entered a wide, circular chamber, open to the darkening sky. In the center stood a crescent-shaped altar, gleaming with a pale blue light. The aura radiating from it made Luma's hair stand on end.
She stepped forward, drawn by something unseen. As her fingers touched the altar's surface, a bright light flared—and the air around them shifted.
A soft yet powerful voice echoed through the space.
"Child of Light... you have arrived."
From the altar's glow emerged a winged woman in a white robe, her silver hair dancing in a spectral breeze. Her face resembled Luma's, but her eyes shone like ancient, extinguished stars. It was the spirit of Selene—not just a memory, but a living consciousness.
"Luma," the spirit spoke, "you bear a legacy you never asked for. I offer you my full power—your body, your soul, everything—give it to me. With it, none shall stand against you."
Luma gazed at the woman, then lowered her head, battling in silence.
She could surrender. Let Selene take over. Vaeloth could be defeated easily.
But… would that still be her? Or merely a shadow of a long-dead queen?
Luma lifted her head. Her voice was calm but resolute.
"No. I won't be anyone's shadow—not even Selene's."
Selene studied her for a long moment before a gentle smile formed on her lips. "Then you are truly the heir of the Light. Not because of who you are, but because you chose to be yourself."
The light around the altar surged into Luma's body. It didn't turn her into Selene—but strengthened her own soul.
Meanwhile, Kael suddenly collapsed. His eyes blank, his breath frozen.
He was in a familiar field—the place where his sister, Elen, had died. In the vision, Elen stood before him, bleeding, her eyes lifeless.
"You were supposed to save me, brother," she said. "Why did you run?"
Kael screamed, weeping. "I… I was just a kid! I was scared!"
Elen's shadow began to fade, but her expression softened. "You didn't run, Kael. You saved others. I knew that."
A burst of light exploded, and Kael woke up, clutching the locket he always carried—Elen's. His hands no longer trembled.
Ereth stood frozen, eyes closed. He faced a battlefield from his past—a place where he had saved someone he loved, but disobeyed his commander's orders.
"Why did you turn from your duty?" asked a voice within his mind.
"Because... I chose my heart," Ereth answered.
Shadows of the enemies he once slew surged toward him—but he didn't flinch. A red flash of lightning struck behind him, and they vanished. Ereth opened his eyes, and for the first time, he smiled with peace.
At the top of the tower, the three of them now stood firm, each having passed their inner trials. Luma looked to the sky—and it was no longer the sky.
Clouds rolled in, thick and black. Lightning cracked in shades of violet. The light at the edge of the world was fading, replaced by emptiness. Vaeloth was awakening.
Behind the altar, a stone wall slowly split apart, revealing a steep, downward passage—etched with dark runes and softly glowing magical circles.
Ereth approached the opening. "The path to Vaeloth's heart of power," he said. "Step inside, and there's no turning back."
Luma gripped his hand, then looked at Kael.
"I'm not turning back," she whispered.
Kael nodded. "I'm with you, no matter what."
Ereth patted both of their shoulders. "It's time."
The three of them stepped into the darkness—without hesitation, without tears.
The final step marked the beginning of the end.
To be continued in Chapter 14…