Alyssia stood at the edge of Valoria's battlements, her eyes scanning the horizon. The Empire's army stretched far and wide, a sea of armor glinting under the faint moonlight. Behind her, the city was in a restless slumber, unaware of the looming doom that approached. The tension was suffocating, and Alyssia could feel it clawing at her mind. Her thoughts wandered back to Elyndor, the Elf God, and his warning.
She remembered their last encounter vividly. It was a few months ago in the Elven Realm, amidst towering trees that seemed to whisper ancient secrets. Elyndor had appeared from the mists, his ethereal form draped in silver light, his presence both calming and foreboding. His words echoed in her mind now, each syllable like a weight pressing down on her heart.
"The prophecy is unfolding, Alyssia," Elyndor had said. "You and your brother are destined to clash. The path has already been laid out by time, and your battle will determine the fate of all realms. Whether Enma is released into this world or sealed forever depends on your choices."
Alyssia had listened, her mind racing with doubts and fears. She remembered the way Elyndor had looked at her, not with judgment, but with understanding. He had seen the conflict within her, the turmoil of knowing she might have to kill her own brother to save the world.
"But is the prophecy truly set in stone?" Alyssia had asked. "Can I not change it?"
Elyndor's gaze had softened. "Prophecies are not rigid, but they are powerful. They are shaped by the choices of those involved. You have the power to influence the outcome, but know this: the cost will be great, and the weight of your decision will be heavy."
Now, as she stood on the battlements, watching the Empire's forces inch closer with each passing day, Alyssia understood the gravity of those words. She had always known the day would come when she would face Hazama, her brother. But knowing and accepting were two different things. He wasn't just another enemy; he was blood. They had grown up together, fought side by side, and shared dreams of a better world. Now, they stood on opposite sides of an unforgiving war, driven apart by the machinations of the Empire.
A gust of wind swept through the city, ruffling her cloak. She closed her eyes, letting the cold air ground her, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Hazama. She could still see him as the boy he once was—eager, kind-hearted, always trying to protect her. What had the Empire done to him? How much of her brother remained behind those cold, merciless eyes she had glimpsed during the skirmishes?
Her heart ached at the thought of having to kill him, but she couldn't deny what Elyndor had said. The prophecy was clear: one of them would fall, and the world's fate hung in the balance. If she didn't stop Hazama, Enma, the Abyssal God, would rise, and everything they had fought for would be consumed by darkness.
Alyssia felt a presence behind her and turned to see Kira, her co-commander, approaching. Kira's expression was stern, but her eyes were filled with concern.
"Can't sleep?" Kira asked, standing beside her and gazing out over the darkened battlefield.
"No," Alyssia admitted, her voice quiet. "Too much to think about."
Kira nodded, crossing her arms as she followed Alyssia's gaze toward the distant Empire camp. "I can imagine. We're not just fighting for a city anymore. The stakes have never been higher."
Alyssia glanced at her, feeling the weight of her next words. "I spoke to Elyndor... before we returned to Valoria. He told me about the prophecy—about me and Hazama."
Kira's eyes flicked to her. "What did he say?"
"That we're destined to clash," Alyssia replied. "That our fight will decide whether Enma is unleashed. It's all been leading to this moment, Kira. Every step, every decision... it all comes down to me and him."
For a moment, Kira was silent. Then, she turned fully to face Alyssia. "Do you believe it? That you have to fight him?"
Alyssia hesitated. "I don't want to. But if I don't... if I let him continue down this path, the Empire will destroy everything. And Enma... he'll consume the world."
Kira's brow furrowed. "But he's your brother, Alyssia. There has to be another way."
"I've been searching for another way for so long," Alyssia said softly. "But every path leads back to the same place. He's not the boy I remember, Kira. The Empire has twisted him, and I don't know if I can save him."
Kira's hand rested on her shoulder, a rare gesture of comfort. "Maybe he's still in there. Maybe, when the time comes, you'll find a way to reach him."
Alyssia wanted to believe that. She wanted to believe that somewhere beneath the armor and the power, her brother was still there, waiting to be saved. But the prophecy loomed over her like a shadow, and the memory of Hazama's cold, indifferent gaze gnawed at her hope.
"I'll try," Alyssia whispered. "But if it comes down to it... I won't let the world fall."
Kira's grip tightened for a moment before she let go, stepping back. "Whatever happens, Alyssia, we're with you. We'll face this together."
Alyssia nodded, her resolve hardening. She couldn't avoid her destiny any longer. The time for doubt had passed. The prophecy was unfolding, and she would meet it head-on, whatever the cost.
As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, casting a golden hue on Valoria's walls, Alyssia took a deep breath. The final battle was approaching. Her fate and Hazama's were intertwined, and soon, the world would know which sibling would rise and which would fall.
She only hoped the price wouldn't be too high.