The sight of the Syndicate sent a wave of cold dread through Serena's body, but there was no time to hesitate. The dark figures standing at the edge of the stone circle were waiting, as if they had anticipated their arrival. Serena counted at least a dozen of them, their silhouettes sharp and menacing against the pale morning light. Each figure was cloaked in dark robes, their faces obscured by hoods, but the glint of weapons in their hands was unmistakable.
"They beat us here," Rebecca muttered, her voice low and tense. "This just got a whole lot more complicated."
Alaric's expression hardened as he surveyed the group. "The Syndicate always finds a way. They've been tracking us since the temple. But we still have the weapon—and they won't let us get anywhere near that circle without a fight."
Serena's heart pounded as she glanced at the glowing stone circle at the center of the ancient site. It pulsed with an otherworldly energy, the runes etched into the stone shimmering with faint light. This was the place Alaric had spoken of—the only place where they could destroy the Lumen Corvus without unleashing catastrophic consequences.
But they had to reach it first.
"We don't have a choice," Serena said, her voice firm. "If we don't get to that circle, the Lumen Corvus will fall into their hands. We need to hold them off long enough to activate the weapon."
Rebecca's hand tightened around the hilt of her knife, a dark gleam in her eyes. "Then let's make them work for it."
Serena nodded, feeling a rush of adrenaline flood her system. There was no turning back now. With the Syndicate blocking their path, the only way to reach the stone circle was to fight through them.
Alaric stepped forward, his voice low and steady. "We'll need to divide their attention. Serena, you focus on reaching the circle. Rebecca and I will hold them off as long as we can."
Serena's grip tightened on the crystalline weapon. She could feel its power thrumming beneath her fingers, a reminder of what was at stake. "I'll make it. Just don't let them stop me."
Rebecca gave Serena a quick, fierce look. "We've got your back."
Without another word, they moved. Serena bolted toward the stone circle, her feet pounding against the uneven ground as she sprinted toward the shimmering runes. Rebecca and Alaric broke off to the sides, charging toward the Syndicate members with weapons drawn, their movements fast and decisive.
The Syndicate reacted instantly. Dark figures moved to intercept them, their weapons flashing in the morning light. Serena saw Rebecca engage two of the cloaked figures in a flurry of motion, her knives moving with deadly precision. Alaric, meanwhile, clashed with another Syndicate member, his blade ringing out against theirs in a sharp metallic clash.
But Serena couldn't afford to focus on the fight. Her target was the stone circle—the only place where the weapon could be activated. She dodged to the side as one of the Syndicate members lunged at her, swinging a blade aimed at her chest. Serena twisted out of the way, barely avoiding the strike as she sprinted toward the glowing circle.
The ground beneath her feet seemed to pulse with energy as she neared the stone platform, the ancient magic of the place growing stronger with each step. The runes etched into the stone glowed brighter, as if responding to the power of the weapon she carried.
Just a little further.
Another Syndicate member rushed toward her, but Serena was ready this time. She raised the crystalline weapon, aiming it at the approaching figure. The weapon pulsed, releasing a burst of bright, crackling energy that shot through the air, striking the Syndicate member with a deafening crack. The figure was thrown back, collapsing to the ground in a heap.
Serena's breath came in ragged gasps as she reached the edge of the stone circle. The power radiating from the runes was almost overwhelming, but she didn't hesitate. She stepped onto the platform, the weapon glowing brightly in her hands, and turned toward the center of the circle.
This was it. The moment they had been fighting for.
But before she could activate the weapon, a voice rang out across the clearing.
"Stop!"
Serena froze, her heart skipping a beat as she turned to face the source of the voice. One of the Syndicate members had broken away from the fight and was now standing just outside the stone circle, his hood pulled back to reveal a face she recognized.
It was Elias.
Her stomach twisted at the sight of him. Elias had once been a trusted ally, someone Serena had fought beside, someone she had believed in. But he had betrayed them, joining the Syndicate in their pursuit of the Lumen Corvus.
"Elias," Serena breathed, her voice low and filled with disbelief. "You're with them?"
Elias's face was hard, his eyes cold as he stepped closer to the stone circle. "I didn't have a choice, Serena. The Syndicate knows what's at stake. They're the only ones who can control the Lumen Corvus. You have to stop this before it's too late."
Serena shook her head, her grip tightening on the weapon. "You're wrong. No one can control the Lumen Corvus. That's why it has to be destroyed."
Elias's eyes flashed with frustration. "You don't understand! Destroying the Lumen Corvus will tear open a rift between worlds. It's too dangerous! We can use its power to fix the damage, to stabilize the rift. You're playing with forces you don't understand!"
Serena's pulse raced, her mind reeling from his words. Was he telling the truth? Could destroying the Lumen Corvus really make things worse? For a moment, doubt flickered in her heart.
But then she remembered everything they had been through—everything the Lumen Corvus had caused. The deaths, the destruction, the chaos. It was too powerful, too dangerous to be left in anyone's hands. The Syndicate wanted to control it for their own purposes, just like the Covenant had. And that was a risk Serena wasn't willing to take.
"No," Serena said firmly, her voice steady. "It has to end. The Lumen Corvus was never meant to be controlled. It's a weapon of destruction, and it will destroy everything if we let it."
Elias's expression twisted with anger, and he raised his hand, summoning a surge of dark energy that crackled around him like lightning. "Then you leave me no choice."
Serena braced herself, the weapon glowing fiercely in her hands as she prepared for the coming attack.
But before Elias could strike, a sudden shout rang out from behind him.
Rebecca.
With lightning speed, Rebecca lunged at Elias, her knife flashing as she aimed for his side. Elias reacted just in time, deflecting the blow with a burst of energy, but it was enough to throw him off balance.
"Now, Serena!" Rebecca shouted, her voice sharp and urgent.
Serena didn't hesitate. She turned toward the center of the stone circle and raised the crystalline weapon high above her head. The runes on the platform pulsed in response, glowing with brilliant light as the weapon's energy surged to life.
The power of the ancient site flowed through her, merging with the weapon, and for a brief moment, Serena felt connected to something far greater than herself. The magic of the other realms swirled around her, vibrating with energy, and she could feel the weight of the Lumen Corvus in her pack growing heavier, almost as if it knew its time had come.
Serena brought the weapon down, aiming it directly at the Lumen Corvus.
A brilliant burst of light erupted from the weapon, and the world around her exploded in a dazzling blaze of magic.
The end had begun.