As the rift narrowed, the Void's guardian panicked. It lashed out wildly; its blows, more and more erratic, started to resemble desperation. Lyra and Caelum give everything they have got in hope that they can finally outmaneuver the frantic blows.
"We are running out of time!" he shouted, his voice raw with pain. "Aiden, come on!"
The shard's light threatened to become nearly unbearable-it was a brilliant beacon that lit up the entire plateau. The magnitude of its might could tear Aiden apart, and he felt it consuming him, yet he didn't stop. He couldn't stop.
And with a burst of final energy, the shard released a blast of light that walled the rift and swallowed the guardian. The rift sealed with a deafening crack and sent the shadows blasted into nothingness about it. The guardian's scream one last anguished as she collapsed into ash.
For a moment, everything was silent. The plateau was still and flat; the oppressive presence of the Void gone. Aiden crumpled to his knees, his hand now holding only a dull, lifeless stone.
Lyra and Caelum flew to his side, their faces inches from his and full of relief mixed with concern. "You did it," Lyra said, gripping his shoulder. "It's over."
Aiden managed a weak smile. "For now."