Eli's heart bled as she fled the dark realm, leaving Kael to Niamh's mercy. The weight of her failure crushed her.
"Arianna, what have we lost?" Eli whispered, her voice trembling.
Arianna's eyes dimmed, reflecting the despair that gripped Eli's soul. "Kael's soul, Eli. Niamh's consumed him."
Aethon's face hardened, his jaw clenched in determination. "We'll find a way to save him, Eli. We won't give up."
Their resolve faltered as they stumbled upon a ravaged village, the once-peaceful homes now reduced to smoldering ruins.
"Niamh's minions," Aethon growled, his sword at the ready.
Eli's eyes widened, horror etched on her face. "The villagers...they're all gone."
Arianna's voice trembled. "The realms are crumbling, Eli. Niamh's darkness spreads."
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, stumbling toward Eli.
"Eli," the figure whispered, a faint smile on their lips.
Eli's heart skipped a beat. "Lyra?"
Lyra, Eli's childhood friend, stood before her, mortally wounded. Eli's world crumbled.
"Lyra, no!" Eli screamed, rushing to her friend's side.
Lyra's smile faded, her eyes clouding. "Eli...protect...the realms..."
With those final words, Lyra's life slipped away, leaving Eli shattered.
Eli's sorrow shattered her composure. She cradled Lyra's lifeless body, tears streaming down her face.
"Lyra, don't leave me!" Eli wailed, her heart torn asunder.
Aethon's arms enveloped Eli, offering what little comfort he could.
"We'll avenge Lyra," Aethon vowed, his voice low and deadly.
Arianna's tears fell, mingling with Eli's. "The realms will mourn Lyra's passing."
As they mourned Lyra's death, Kael's darkness deepened. Niamh's laughter echoed through the realms.
"Kael, my love, our power grows," Niamh whispered.
Kael's voice whispered, "I'll never return."
Eli's heart shattered, her world reduced to ashes.
In the distance, a lone figure watched, unseen.
"The realms will burn," the figure whispered, "and from the ashes, a new order will rise."