When the light finally faded, Melania and Endar found themselves in boundless emptiness. Around them, there was no forest, no time, no space—only silence ringing in their ears and an infinite white expanse. Their feet stood on something unseen, as if an invisible, solid surface was holding them in this strange dimension.
“Where are we now?” Endar whispered, his hand brushing against the air, which seemed to pulse with energy.
“I think… we’re inside the core,” Melania replied, her voice soft but full of awe. “This is the beginning of the new Eternity.”
Before them, a figure began to take shape—translucent, as if made of pure light. Its outline resembled a human, but within it pulsed infinite energy that seemed alive. The figure’s eyes glowed with a gentle warmth that, despite its intensity, did not blind.
“You have made your choice,” the figure said, its voice echoing with the resonance of a thousand voices speaking at once. “But now, you must complete your work.”
“What do you mean?” Endar asked, his gaze sharp and vigilant.
“The new Eternity has no form yet,” the figure explained. “It can only be shaped through your actions, your dreams, and your sacrifices. You must decide what it will become.”
Melania felt her heart tighten. She realized their task was not just to save the world but to create it. Every decision they made from now on would influence the new reality, the future awaiting everyone.
“But how can we create something so vast?” she asked. “We’re only human.”
The figure smiled—a gesture more of emotion than physical expression.
“That is why you were chosen. Your humanity is the source of the new Eternity. Its foundation will be shaped by your desires, your fears, your love, and your resolve. But be careful: every choice you make will remain woven into its fabric forever.”
Endar stepped forward, his face tense but determined.
“If this is our responsibility, then I accept it. I know I’ve made many mistakes in the past, but now I want to build a world that won’t repeat those errors.”
Melania looked at him, feeling his words resonate deeply within her. She knew he was right.
“And I accept it too,” she said, her voice steady. “We’ll do this together. But first, we need to understand how.”
The figure raised its hand, and three orbs of light appeared before them, each glowing with its own color—gold, blue, and red.
“These orbs represent the core elements of the new world,” it explained. “Harmony, strength, and freedom. You must decide in what order to weave them into Eternity’s fabric. But remember: each element will amplify or conflict with the next. Your choice will determine the balance of the new world.”
Melania and Endar exchanged glances. It was not an easy decision.
“Harmony must come first,” Melania said after a brief pause. “The world cannot exist without balance.”
Endar nodded slowly. “Harmony as the foundation… I agree. Without it, the rest will collapse into chaos.”
As Melania reached for the golden orb, a pulse of warmth spread through her hand and into her chest. She felt it—calm, unity, a quiet sense of purpose. The orb dissolved into light and began weaving threads of gold into the surrounding emptiness. The threads shimmered as they expanded, forming a delicate lattice of balance that resonated with every fiber of her being.
“The first step is complete,” the figure intoned. “But harmony alone cannot sustain a world. What will you choose next?”
Endar stared at the remaining orbs: the fierce red one pulsing with power and the serene blue one glowing with freedom. “Strength must come next,” he said firmly. “Harmony without strength is fragile. It won’t last.”
Melania hesitated but then nodded. “You’re right. A balanced world must also be resilient.”
Endar extended his hand toward the red orb. As soon as he touched it, a surge of energy shot through him, nearly forcing him to his knees. He clenched his teeth as memories of his past—his training under Astran, the battles he had fought, and the people he had failed—flashed before his eyes. But instead of pain, the energy brought clarity. He understood now that true strength came not from domination but from the will to protect and endure.
The red orb dissolved into streams of crimson light, intertwining with the golden lattice. The structure around them grew more robust, pulsating with power. The space no longer felt empty—it began to breathe, to come alive.
The figure’s voice rang out again, calm but insistent. “The final choice remains. Will freedom be the crowning element of this new world?”
Melania stepped forward without hesitation. “Yes. Without freedom, strength and harmony become chains.”
She touched the blue orb, and a wave of cool, liberating energy coursed through her. It was as if every limit, every boundary she had ever felt, dissolved in an instant. The light from the orb cascaded outward, dancing through the golden and red threads, filling the lattice with endless possibility. The structure shifted, transforming into a vast, dynamic network—alive, evolving, and boundless.
The figure observed their work, its form glowing even brighter. “You have created the foundation of the new Eternity. But your journey is far from over. The choices you’ve made will resonate across all of existence. Others will build upon this foundation, and not all will agree with your vision. Be ready for what comes next.”
The light around them began to dim as the figure dissolved into the very fabric of the new Eternity. Melania and Endar found themselves standing once again in the forest, though it was no longer shrouded in the illusions of the past. The air felt fresh, the sky above clear and bright.
Melania turned to Endar, a faint smile on her lips. “We did it.”
Endar nodded, though his expression remained thoughtful. “This is just the beginning. We’ve set the foundation, but the future depends on how others build upon it.”
As they began their journey back, the whispers of the new Eternity echoed in their minds—a promise of change, a challenge of growth, and the hope for a world reborn.