The moment Sia and Anthony stepped into the radiant light of the Infinity Stone, the world around them dissolved. It wasn't like teleportation—it was as though their very existence unraveled, their physical forms disassembled into threads of light.
When the unraveling stopped, they stood on an ethereal plane where time and space bent in impossible ways. The ground beneath them shimmered like liquid glass, reflecting a kaleidoscope of stars that swirled and danced above.
Sia's voice trembled as she whispered, "Where… are we?"
Anthony scanned the horizon, his hand instinctively reaching for hers. "This must be the core of the Stone. The Keeper said we'd find answers here, but it feels more like a trap."
A soft hum resonated through the air, growing louder until it became a symphony of voices. Each voice spoke a different language, yet Sia understood them all as if they were carved into her soul.
"Welcome, Bearers of the Cycle."
The voice was neither male nor female, young nor old. It was an amalgamation of countless lifetimes, a chorus of wisdom and sorrow.
"Who are you?" Sia asked, her words echoing in the vastness.
"We are the Veil of Eternity—the collective memory of every soul touched by the Infinity Stone. We are its essence, its guardians, and its prisoners. You have entered the space between worlds, where the threads of existence are woven and unraveled."
Anthony stepped forward, his jaw set. "If you're the guardians, then tell us how to stop the fractures Elias created. How do we end the cycle?"
The voices hesitated, as if deliberating. Finally, they spoke:
"To mend the fractures, you must first understand the truth of the Stone's power. It was never meant to dominate or destroy; it was created to preserve balance. But balance cannot exist without sacrifice."
The glassy ground beneath their feet rippled, and a series of visions unfolded before them.
They saw a grand civilization rising from the ocean depths—a city of towering spires made of coral and crystal. Merfolk swam through the air as if it were water, their laughter echoing like chimes. In the center of the city stood the Infinity Stone, radiating harmony.
Sia's heart clenched. "This… this is the Merclan."
Anthony frowned. "Then the Stone belongs to them?"
"It was gifted to them," the voices replied. "But gifts often come with burdens. The Stone's power drew the greed of surface dwellers. Wars erupted, and in the chaos, the Stone's purpose was corrupted. It no longer preserved balance—it became a weapon."
The vision shifted. The pristine city was now in ruins, its once-vibrant waters darkened with blood. The Stone was gone, stolen by surface dwellers who sought immortality. The Merfolk scattered, their society shattered.
Sia's knees buckled, tears
streaming down her face. "This is our legacy?Destruction and loss?"
Anthony caught her, his voice firm. "No, Sia. This is our chance to change it. To restore what was lost."