The passage the heroes entered was not a corridor but an endless expanse where walls and floors seemed nonexistent. Their steps made no sound, as if they were walking on air itself. Everything around them was bathed in a faint golden glow, and in the distance floated massive spheres, both real and spectral in appearance.
Each sphere burned with its own fire—some glowed bright blue, others red, green, or white. Their radiance wasn’t just visible; it could be felt, like warmth brushing against their skin.
“What is this place?” Linara asked, her voice muffled, as though the space was absorbing it.
“This is the heart of the node,” Endar replied, his gaze fixed on the spheres. “Each one represents a fragment of time. They exist in harmony, but any disturbance in their order could unravel the entire balance.”
“What are we supposed to do?” Kairen asked, suspicion lacing his tone.
“Wait for the node to reveal the path,” Endar said, his eyes drawn to the largest sphere. It glowed with a soft white light, but cracks marred its surface, spilling golden sparks into the void.
Melania felt the surrounding space filling with a strange melody. It was the song of the spheres—deep, pulsating, and harmoniously haunting, a sound beyond human comprehension. Each sphere emitted its own tone, and together they created a melody that resonated deeply in the soul.
“They’re singing,” she whispered, not realizing she had spoken aloud.
“The song of the spheres is a signal,” Endar explained. “They’re trying to preserve their harmony, but the cracks in that one… It means the node is destabilizing.”
“What happens if we do nothing?” Linara asked.
“Everything collapses,” Endar said grimly.
Melania stepped closer to the white sphere. Its cracks were widening, and the golden sparks bursting from it were turning into tiny explosions of light. The sphere seemed to be in pain.
“What can we do to stabilize it?” she asked, turning to Endar.
He sighed. “We can try to give it part of our energy. But it’s risky. If the sphere rejects the offering, it could tear us apart along with itself.”
“We’ve taken risks before,” Melania said firmly and reached out toward the sphere.
“Wait!” Kairen shouted sharply. “We don’t even know if this is the right move!”
“If we wait, we’ll lose everything,” she replied with equal resolve.
Her fingers brushed the surface of the sphere, and in that instant, the space around her transformed. Melania found herself in her own memories: she saw herself as a child, heard her mother’s voice, and felt the warmth of her home. Then the memories shifted, showing her what could have been but never was.
“This is its trial,” Endar murmured, watching as the white light of the sphere enveloped Melania.
The light flowed into her body, as if asking permission. She felt the node probing her strength, her aspirations, her fears. It wasn’t just drawing her energy; it was taking her hopes, her dreams for the future.
Suddenly, the sphere flared brighter, its cracks beginning to mend. The song of the spheres changed, becoming higher, purer, infused with harmony.
Melania stepped back, barely able to stand.
“You did it,” Endar said, steadying her before she could fall.
“But it’s not over yet,” she replied, her gaze fixed on the other spheres. “The balance is still broken.”
At that moment, one of the red spheres began to tremble, its surface melting like lava. A low, ominous hum filled the space.
“Another sphere is destabilizing!” Linara shouted, instinctively drawing her weapon as if it could help.
“This isn’t a coincidence,” Kairen said. “Someone is interfering.”
The space before them split open, revealing a dark fissure. From it emerged a figure—tall and cloaked in black flames that consumed the surrounding light.
“Astran,” Endar whispered, his voice filled with dread.
“Did you think you could reshape the balance without my involvement?” the figure said, his voice cold and sharp as a blade. “I’m here to remind you who truly controls this node.”
The battle began—not physical but a clash of energies. The spheres responded to every move, to every surge of power. The heroes knew this confrontation would determine the fate of the node—and perhaps the entire world.