The core of Eternity pulsed with bright light, like a living organism struggling to breathe in a new reality. The mist before the heroes dissipated, revealing a massive sphere floating in the air, surrounded by golden and silver threads that spread out in different directions, forming the structure of a new world.
Melania, Endar, and Kairen paused at the edge of a stone bridge leading toward the core. The bridge appeared fragile, built from the remnants of old times, creaking beneath each of their steps.
“It’s still forming,” Endar whispered, gazing at the chaotic movement of the threads. “But we’re not alone.”
Melania felt a chill run down her spine. She scanned the space around them. Shadows moved in the mist, vague and ethereal. They were not just remnants of the old order, but parts of something worse — something that could not allow the new Eternity to take shape.
“Someone is coming,” Kairen warned, placing a hand on the hilt of his sword.
A figure emerged from the mist. A tall and majestic form, yet there was an unnatural emptiness about its presence. Its face was hidden beneath the hood of a dark cloak, but its eyes — two red glowing orbs — shone through the darkness.
“Greetings, children of the new world,” the figure spoke with a voice that was far too familiar. “You are so close to your goal. But are you ready to pay the price for your vision?”
Endar paled upon seeing the figure.
“This is impossible,” he whispered.
“Astran,” Melania exclaimed, clutching her hand around the symbol they had received from the Keeper of the Threshold.
“Not quite,” the figure replied, smiling. “I am no longer what I once was. You destroyed me. But Eternity remembers, and I have returned as its echo. What you fear most has manifested in me.”
Endar stepped forward, gripping his sword.
“You’re not real. You are a trial. And we will pass through you.”
Astran or his likeness laughed, the sound of his laughter resembling the roar of thunder in the boundless void.
“Perhaps I am just an illusion,” he said, “but isn’t it all an illusion? Your efforts, your new world? Chaos and fear will always be part of your creation.”
Kairen raised his sword sharply, stepping closer to the apparition.
“We’ve already defeated you once, and we’ll defeat you again. Nothing you say will stop us.”
“Are you sure?” Astran mocked, raising his hand. The darkness began to swirl around him, and the shadows that hid in the mist came to life. They took the shape of warriors, woven from fear and doubt, their faces empty, yet each movement radiated threat.
“These are not just shadows,” he said. “They are your fears. Your mistakes. Your weaknesses.”
“Stick together!” Melania shouted, activating the symbol. Light flared from it, tearing through the darkness, but only for a moment.
The battle erupted suddenly. The shadows were elusive, each sword strike or magical blast from Melania only pushed them back for a moment, but did not destroy them.
“We won’t make it if we only fight them!” Kairen shouted. “Astran controls them, he’s the key.”
Endar charged forward, moving toward the apparition. With each step, it felt as if his legs were growing heavier, and his past mistakes came to life before his eyes. He saw scenes where he betrayed students, where he left others to die for his own goal.
“You know this is true,” Astran spoke, appearing before him. “You are part of this darkness.”
“No,” Endar whispered, gripping his sword tighter. “I chose a different path.”
He struck, but the apparition dissolved into the mist, only laughter echoing around him.
Meanwhile, Melania tried to focus on the symbol. She felt the energy of the core flowing through her, but each shadow drained a part of her strength.
“We need to change our strategy,” she said, brushing aside another shadow. “This isn’t a battle of strength, it’s a trial.”
“Then what do we do?” Kairen shouted, struggling to hold off the next wave of enemies.
Melania closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“Embrace it. Face the fear.”
She took a step forward, heading toward the core and toward Astran. The shadows tried to stop her, but she moved forward, never breaking her gaze from the silhouette.
“You may scare me,” she said, “but you can’t control me.”
The light of the core intensified, and Astran suddenly froze. His form began to unravel, as if it could no longer hold its shape.
“You made your choice,” he whispered, disappearing along with the shadows.
The battle ended. The heroes stood alone before the core, which now shone even brighter.
“Did we win?” Kairen asked, breathing heavily.
Melania nodded, but her heart tightened with a sense of foreboding.
“This is only the beginning,” she said. “Eternity is not yet ready to accept us, and it will not forgive weakness.”
They took a step forward, moving closer to the core.