The ruins of the shattered planet floated aimlessly in the void, massive chunks of land and debris orbiting its fractured core. Amidst the silence of space, a celestial light broke through the darkness. It was a golden sphere, radiant and warm, its glow pushing back the cold emptiness. Within its heart, a figure emerged—Mundus, one of the Celestials.
Mundus's appearance was otherworldly. His tall, ethereal frame shimmered with golden energy, his flowing robes adorned with constellations that shifted as he moved. His eyes, glowing with the light of countless stars, scanned the remnants of the battlefield with a sorrowful expression.
"I cannot let this be the end," he murmured, his voice resonating like a symphony of galaxies. "Xalin… your story is not meant to end this way."
Mundus raised a hand, and golden streams of energy began weaving through the debris. They coiled around the lifeless forms of Xalin, Lira, and Kell, encasing them in protective orbs of light.
"Time and life… together, they hold the power to heal," Mundus intoned. With a wave of his hand, the orbs vanished, transporting the three warriors across the cosmos to his secluded sanctuary—Elyndra, the healing planet of the Celestials.
---
The Celestial Sanctuary
Elyndra was a haven of beauty and serenity. Its skies shimmered with endless hues of gold and lavender, and its land was a tapestry of lush meadows, crystalline rivers, and towering trees that glowed with celestial energy. In the center of the planet stood a grand temple, its architecture a blend of flowing curves and intricate patterns that seemed to pulse with life.
Within this temple, Mundus worked tirelessly. Lira and Kell were laid on soft, glowing platforms, their injuries being mended by streams of golden light. Xalin's broken body, however, was suspended in a cocoon of time and life energy, his wounds too severe for ordinary healing. Mundus stood over him, his hands weaving complex sigils in the air, threads of time magic wrapping around Xalin like a protective shield.
"This will take time," Mundus said softly, his voice filled with determination. "But you will live, Xalin. The universe still needs you."
---
Two Weeks Later
The serene ambiance of Elyndra was broken by a soft groan. Lira's eyelids fluttered open, her silver hair glinting in the soft light of the temple. She winced, sitting up slowly, her body still sore but healed. A few feet away, Kell stirred as well, his berserker instincts momentarily flaring before he calmed, realizing he was no longer in danger.
"What… where are we?" Lira asked, her voice hoarse but steady.
Kell looked around, his glowing yellow eyes scanning the room. "I don't know… but this place… it feels safe."
Mundus entered, his glowing form casting a soothing light over the room. "You are in Elyndra, a celestial sanctuary. I am Mundus, a watcher of the cosmos. I brought you here after your battle with Roylen. You were on the brink of death."
Lira's eyes widened as memories of the fight flooded back. "Xalin! Where is Xalin?"
Mundus gestured toward the glowing cocoon at the center of the room. "He is here, but his injuries were severe. Healing him is… complicated. Time must be allowed to take its course."
Lira approached the cocoon, her heart aching as she saw Xalin's still form within. "How long will it take?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Mundus shook his head gently. "For you, two weeks have passed. But for Xalin… it could be far longer. The damage to his body and spirit was immense."
---
Four Months Later
Time flowed differently on Elyndra. The planet's serene atmosphere made the days blur into one another, but for Lira and Kell, the wait felt like an eternity. They trained and prepared themselves, knowing that Roylen's threat loomed larger than ever. Yet every day, their thoughts drifted to Xalin, still encased in his cocoon of golden energy.
On the morning of the fourth month, the stillness of the sanctuary was shattered by a violent crack. The golden cocoon surrounding Xalin fractured, streams of light pouring out as if the stars themselves were breaking free.
Inside the temple, Lira and Kell rushed toward the sound.
"It's Xalin!" Lira exclaimed, her heart racing.
The cocoon burst open, and Xalin's body fell to the floor. He gasped, his eyes snapping open as he clutched his head. Pain coursed through him like fire, and his memories were a chaotic blur.
"Where… where am I?" he groaned, staggering to his feet.
The room was empty. The glowing platforms were unoccupied, and the golden light of the temple felt alien to him. His gaze fell on a set of robes lying neatly folded on the floor. He grabbed them, pulling them on as he stumbled toward the massive doors of the sanctuary.
---
Outside, the beauty of Elyndra spread out before him. The air was filled with the soft hum of celestial energy, and the sky above was a kaleidoscope of colors. Xalin blinked, disoriented but drawn forward by an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
"Xalin!" a voice shouted.
Xalin turned, and his heart clenched as he saw a familiar figure running toward him. It was Kell, his long black hair flowing behind him as his golden eyes shimmered with relief.
Before Xalin could react, Kell embraced him tightly. "You're awake!" Kell's voice was rough with emotion, his usual stoic demeanor replaced by unrestrained joy.
"Kell…?" Xalin's voice was hoarse, his mind struggling to piece together the fragments of his memory.
A second figure appeared, sprinting toward him with tears streaming down her cheeks. "Xalin!" Lira cried, throwing herself into his arms. She clung to him tightly, her body trembling as sobs wracked her frame.
"Lira…" Xalin whispered, his arms wrapping around her instinctively. He could feel the weight of her relief, the depth of her emotions, and it stirred something deep within him.
For a moment, the three of them stood together, their reunion a balm to the pain and chaos they had endured.
---
As the initial joy faded, Xalin pulled back slightly, his eyes meeting Kell's and then Lira's. "What happened? The last thing I remember… I was fighting Roylen."
Kell's expression darkened. "You fought him… but you lost. He destroyed the planet, Xalin. You were barely alive when Mundus found us."
"Mundus?" Xalin asked, his brow furrowing.
Lira gestured toward the temple. "He's the one who saved us. He's been healing you for four months."
Xalin looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers as he felt the remnants of the celestial energy coursing through him. "Four months…" He clenched his fists. "I couldn't protect you. I couldn't stop him."
Lira placed a hand on his shoulder, her crimson eyes filled with determination. "You're alive, Xalin. That's what matters. Mundus saved you because he believes in you. And so do we."
Kell nodded, his voice firm. "We'll get stronger, together. Roylen hasn't won yet."
Xalin took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Then let's not waste any more time. We have a fight to finish."
As the three of them stood together, the celestial skies above seemed to shimmer brighter, as if the universe itself acknowledged their resolve.