Kael turned to his parents, fear and determination in his eyes. "I didn't mean to—he called to me."
Sia rushed to her son, shielding him. "You will not touch him!"
The scientist laughed, a hollow, bitter sound. "The boy is the key. You cannot escape the cycle. He will face the burden you tried to leave behind."
But Anthony stepped forward, his voice calm and commanding. "You're wrong. We broke the cycle. And we'll do it again if we have to."
The temple shook as the Stone flared with light, its energy threatening to consume the room. But this time, it wasn't just Sia and Anthony—Kael joined them, his small hands reaching for theirs.
The bond between them created a shield of light, repelling the scientist's shadow and sealing the Stone's power once and for all.