The revelation of the Dread Serpent's existence weighed heavily on the group as they rested near the Feywild's portal. The once playful atmosphere of the Feylings had shifted into something darker, more ominous. Aeron sat quietly, his thoughts racing as he processed the gravity of what they had just learned.
"The Dread Serpent," Selene murmured, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the string of her bow. "It's a name I've heard whispered in ancient texts, but I never thought it was real."
Kael, sitting cross-legged beside her, frowned. "I don't like the sound of this. Something that could devour worlds? And it's in the Netherrealm?"
Aeron's jaw clenched as he leaned back against a tree, his red and blue eyes narrowing. "The Netherrealm is a dangerous place on its own, but if the Abyssal Prince is after this seal, it's worse than we thought."
Thorin, ever the optimist despite the growing tension, slammed his fist into his palm. "Well, if this serpent wants a fight, I say we give it one! Ancient or not, it'll fall just like the others."
Mira shook her head. "It's not that simple, Thorin. If the seal breaks, the Dread Serpent won't just be another monster to defeat. We could be facing an extinction-level threat. It's something far beyond our usual enemies."
The weight of her words hung in the air as the group fell into silence once more. Aeron knew they couldn't afford to underestimate this new danger. Even with the power of the ego swords and his god-tier abilities, there were limits to what they could face without proper preparation.
"I have to admit, I didn't expect this turn of events." The voice of the Sword of Shadows whispered inside Aeron's mind, her tone laced with unease. "The Dread Serpent is no ordinary foe. It was once a force of pure destruction before it was sealed."
Aeron's thoughts drifted toward the swords—his companions in battle and in life. They had faced many challenges together, but this was something beyond anything they had dealt with. He reached for the Sword of Flames, feeling her warmth surge through him, her fiery spirit reassuring.
"We'll fight it," she said, her voice bold and full of passion. "No matter what it takes, we'll protect you, Aeron."
He smiled faintly. Even in the face of overwhelming odds, his ego swords never wavered. They trusted him, and he trusted them. But he couldn't ignore the growing sense of urgency gnawing at his mind.
Standing up, Aeron addressed the group. "We don't have much time. The Abyssal Prince is likely on his way to the Netherrealm as we speak. If we're going to stop him from breaking that seal, we need to move quickly."
"But how do we even get to the Netherrealm?" Mira asked. "It's not exactly a place you can just walk into."
"The Feylings might have the answer," Aeron replied, turning toward the silver-winged Feyling who had guided them this far. She was still hovering nearby, watching them with a cautious expression.
"You need a way into the Netherrealm," the Feyling said, as though reading Aeron's thoughts. "It's a forbidden place, sealed off from most of the world. But there is a gateway."
"Where?" Aeron pressed.
The Feyling pointed north, toward the far edge of the Feywild, where the trees gave way to an open expanse of wilderness. "Beyond the Feywild lies the Shattered Peaks. Within those mountains is an ancient temple, guarded by the last remnants of the Voidwalkers. They are the keepers of the gateway to the Netherrealm."
Mira's eyes widened. "Voidwalkers? I thought they were just a myth."
The Feyling shook her head. "Oh, they are very real. They exist between dimensions, guarding the balance of reality. But I must warn you, they are not fond of visitors. Gaining their favor will not be easy."
Kael stretched, cracking his knuckles with a grin. "Well, nothing's been easy for us so far, so what's one more impossible task, right?"
Aeron gave a nod. "The Shattered Peaks it is, then. We'll make our way to the temple and find the Voidwalkers. If they hold the key to the Netherrealm, we'll convince them to let us through—one way or another."
The Feyling fluttered closer, her expression serious. "Before you go, take this." She held out a small, glowing stone that shimmered with a soft, ethereal light. "It's a Feylight Stone. It will protect you from the illusions of the Feywild on your way out. Once you leave, you'll be on your own."
Aeron took the stone, feeling its warmth pulse in his hand. "Thank you. For everything."
The Feyling smiled faintly. "You've proven yourselves worthy allies to the Feywild. I only hope you succeed in what lies ahead. The fate of many worlds may rest on your shoulders."
With the Feylight Stone in hand, Aeron and his companions prepared to leave the Feywild behind. As they packed up their gear, Aeron couldn't help but glance back toward the portal, a sense of foreboding settling over him.
The Dread Serpent was no longer just a myth or a distant threat. It was real, and it was stirring.