And from the rift, shadows poured forth. Darker than anything I had ever seen, they moved like sentient smoke, writhing and twisting, blotting out the stars.I felt a presence in my mind, cold and ancient. "You thought it was over, Prince Orion. But the darkness is eternal.
"The voice wasn't Aurelia's, it was something far older, far more sinister. My heart raced as I realized the truth. The darkness we had fought wasn't just a force, it was a being, a presence that existed beyond time and space. And now, it was coming for us.
I called for Amara, my voice echoing through the halls. She appeared beside me, her eyes wide with fear as she took in the sight of the rift. "What is that?" she whispered."I don't know," I said, gripping her hand tightly. "But whatever it is, it's not finished with us."As the shadows spread across the land, the sky darkened, the twin suns dimming as if their light was being consumed. A terrible cold gripped the air, and I could hear the distant screams of my people as the darkness descended upon them.Amara turned to me, her face pale but resolute.
"What do we do?"I looked toward Mount Zion, where the rift pulsed with malevolent energy. The power of Zion still flowed within me, but I wasn't sure if it would be enough to stop this new threat. The magic of Helios had its limits and this darkness felt limitless."There's only one way to stop it," I said, the weight of my words heavy in the air. "I have to go into the rift."Amara's eyes widened.
"No, Orion. You can't" ,. "I don't have a choice." I pulled her close, pressing my forehead to hers. "If this is what I was destined for, then so be it. But I won't let this darkness destroy our world.
"Tears welled in her eyes, but she nodded, her strength unwavering. "I will fight by your side, no matter what."I kissed her deeply, feeling the warmth of her love fueling my resolve. "I will return," I promised, though in my heart, I wasn't sure.As I turned away from the palace, my gaze locked on the rift, I could feel the darkness watching me, waiting. I summoned the power of Zion, letting it surge through me until my veins burned with its energy. The weight of destiny settled on my shoulders as I prepared for the greatest battle of my life.The rift was calling, and I knew that beyond it lay the true source of the evil that had haunted us all.
With Amara at my side and the strength of my ancestors guiding me, I took my first step toward the unknown, toward the darkness that threatened to swallow us whole.And as the shadows loomed ever closer, I whispered the words that had carried me through every trial: "Even the lawful captive shall be delivered."The battle for Helios was over. But the war for the universe had just begun.
To be continued…