Melania and Endar’s steps echoed in the silence of this strange world, where time had no logic. The Eternity, once clear and understandable, was now beginning to crumble, leaving behind only mist and fear. They approached the place where even the smallest details seemed to shift, where perception itself felt out of place. And there, at the center of this indistinct scene, stood he — Astran.
He was more than just a figure from the past. Astran had been Endar’s teacher, his mentor, the one from whom Endar sought answers to questions that had no easy solutions. In the beginning, their meeting was filled with promises and hopes. But as time passed, Astran began to reveal his true nature.
For all the years Astran spent with Endar, he taught him many things — magic, the art of influencing Eternity, understanding how to maintain a balance between good and evil. Astran was an intellectual, a master of his craft, who repeatedly proved his ability to manipulate the very foundations of reality. At first glance, his teachings seemed worth following. But the deeper Endar delved into them, the more he realized that his teacher had another goal in mind.
Astran was a deceiver. He wasn’t ready to share with his students the true understanding of what Eternity was. His ambitions were limitless, and his desire to control everything — even time and reality — was terrifying. Endar began to notice how Astran gradually changed, how his methods began to differ from what Endar had sought, and how Eternity itself began to reflect Astran’s personal ambitions. When Astran started speaking of how he could and wanted to manipulate the very fabric of existence, Endar realized he could no longer stay under his influence.
One day, Endar made his decision — to leave Astran. But it was no simple act. It was a choice that put everything Endar had worked for in jeopardy. His connection with Astran was tightly woven into his own abilities and understanding of magic, and leaving all that behind meant becoming an enemy of the one who had once been his mentor.
But Endar had no regrets about his decision. Though his heart was filled with sorrow at the loss of his teacher, he understood that Astran was walking a path that could lead to disaster for the entire world. His path was dark, and his ideas — dangerous.
Now, standing before Astran, Endar saw him not as a teacher, but as an embodiment of dark ambition. Astran, as always, was surrounded by his cold grandeur, his face hidden beneath a hood that barely allowed his features to be seen, and his cloak, floating in the air like waves on the sea, seemed almost alive. Everything about him spoke of power — power he was striving to acquire at any cost.
— Endar, — his voice was like a cold wind. — You’ve always been strong. Your determination has been your great gift. But you were wrong to leave me. And now, you’ve become an enemy of the one who can give you the chance to be more than you are. You’ve rejected your own potential, the chance to become part of the new world.
Endar stood, calmly observing Astran, though he could feel every cell in his body tense. The battle had not yet begun, but he knew this would not be a simple conflict. This was a fight for the very essence of his future.
— You want to conquer the world, Astran. But I see that your ambitions are not the way to bring change. They are the way to destruction.
Astran only slightly tilted his head.
— You don’t understand, — he said, his gaze piercing through Endar. — Eternity needs power, and I am that power. I am its future, and you could be a part of that future. Just accept my offer, and together we will build a new order.
But Endar no longer doubted. He knew his place was not with Astran. And while he knew the consequences would be harsh, he couldn’t and wouldn’t return to being his student.
— I will not accept your path, — Endar said firmly, meeting Astran’s gaze. — I will not be part of what you are building.
Astran did not respond immediately, but his face looked cold and angry. A moment passed, and the darkness around them seemed to thicken, as though reality itself was retreating before these two forces. All paths converged to one — a choice they both had to make.
— You have chosen the path that leads to destruction, — Astran said, his voice filled with bitterness. — You will see that I will not retreat. You and everyone who stands against me will pay.
With those words, the darkness swallowed his figure, and for a moment, there was silence once again.
Melania and Endar knew that this was only the beginning of their struggle. But now, they saw who their true enemy was. And while fear still loomed, they were ready to fight for their future, no matter the shadow of Astran that still stood in their way.