The shattered remnants of the third anchor lingered in the air like fleeting embers, a fragile victory in a war far from over. Nia sat on the ashen ground, staring at her trembling hands. The golden light that had erupted from within her was gone, leaving behind exhaustion and uncertainty.
"What was that?" she asked, her voice shaky.
Aureon stood nearby, his golden blade sheathed, his gaze fixed on her. "It was a part of you—one you're only beginning to understand. The light within you is tied to something greater, something ancient."
Nia frowned, clutching her knees. "It didn't feel like it was mine. It felt… foreign."
Aureon crouched beside her, his tone gentler than usual. "The light is not foreign, Nia. It has always been within you. It's a reflection of your will, your hope, and your refusal to give in to despair. That is why the abyss fears you."
His words offered little comfort. The power she'd unleashed had felt overwhelming, as though it could consume her if she wasn't careful.
"Then why does it scare me?" she whispered.
"Because power always comes at a price," Aureon said solemnly.
Before Nia could respond, a low rumble echoed through the ground, and the air grew heavy once more. Both of them turned toward the horizon, where the darkened sky churned like a brewing storm.
"The abyss is retaliating," Aureon said, his voice hardening. "It knows what we've done."
"We need to keep moving," Nia said, pushing herself to her feet despite her exhaustion. "There are more anchors to destroy."
Aureon nodded but hesitated. "You've pushed yourself too far already. If you don't rest—"
"There's no time for rest," Nia interrupted, her voice firmer than she felt. "Every second we waste, the abyss grows stronger."
Aureon's gaze lingered on her, a mixture of concern and admiration in his eyes. "Very well. But tread carefully. You can't fight every battle with sheer willpower alone."
As they began walking toward the storm-ridden horizon, a shadow passed over them—fleeting, but enough to make them stop.
"We're being watched," Aureon muttered, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of Lumina.
Nia scanned their surroundings, her heart pounding. "By what?"
The answer came swiftly. From the shadows emerged a figure clad in blackened armor, its form shrouded in abyssal energy. A familiar symbol was etched onto its chestplate—a mark Nia recognized immediately. Her breath caught in her throat.
"Kieran…"
The figure stepped forward, its face partially hidden behind a cracked helmet. Though the corruption of the abyss was evident in the unnatural glow of his eyes, there was no mistaking the features beneath the armor.
"Kieran," Nia repeated, her voice breaking.
The man who had once been her brother tilted his head, as if trying to place her. For a moment, there was silence, and then he spoke.
"Nia." His voice was hollow, devoid of warmth. "You shouldn't be here."
Tears welled in her eyes as she took a tentative step forward. "Kieran, it's me. It's Nia. Don't you remember?"
Aureon placed a hand on her shoulder, his expression grim. "Be careful, Nia. The abyss warps the minds of those it touches. He may not be the same man you knew."
But she ignored him, her focus entirely on Kieran. "What happened to you? Where have you been all this time?"
Kieran's expression didn't change, but the abyssal energy surrounding him pulsed, as though reacting to her presence. "I was protecting you," he said, his tone mechanical. "The abyss showed me the truth. It gave me the strength to keep you safe."
"No!" Nia shouted, her voice trembling with emotion. "The abyss is lying to you! It's using you!"
Kieran's eyes narrowed, the faintest hint of conflict flashing across his face. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by cold indifference.
"I don't expect you to understand," he said, his hand moving to the hilt of his blade. "But if you've come to destroy the abyss, I can't let you pass."
Nia froze, disbelief and heartbreak crashing over her like a wave. "You're going to fight me?"
"It's not personal," Kieran said, his voice low. "It's necessary."
Before she could respond, Kieran lunged, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Nia barely had time to react, raising her weapon to block the strike. The force of the impact sent her staggering backward, and she realized just how much stronger he had become.
"Kieran, stop!" she cried, desperation in her voice. "You don't have to do this!"
But he didn't answer. His attacks came faster, each strike more ruthless than the last. Nia fought to hold her ground, but the emotional weight of the battle made it nearly impossible to focus.
Aureon stepped in, his golden blade intercepting Kieran's next attack. "Enough!" he commanded, his voice echoing with authority.
Kieran's gaze shifted to Aureon, and for a moment, the two locked eyes. "You… I know you," Kieran said, his voice laced with recognition. "You're the god-king."
"And you're a puppet of the abyss," Aureon said coldly. "Step aside, or I will end this."
Kieran smirked, though there was no joy in it. "You can try."
The battle intensified, with Aureon and Kieran clashing in a whirlwind of light and shadow. Nia could only watch, her heart breaking with each blow.
"This isn't how it's supposed to be," she whispered, tears streaming down her face.
Suddenly, Aureon was knocked back, his golden aura flickering. Kieran turned his attention back to Nia, his blade raised.
"Don't make me do this, Nia," he said, his voice softening for the first time. "Just walk away."
She shook her head, gripping her weapon tightly. "I can't. I won't leave you to the abyss."
Something in Kieran's expression shifted, a flicker of pain breaking through his cold facade. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by the abyss's control.
"If you won't leave," he said, his voice hardening, "then I'll make you."
As he lunged again, Nia braced herself, determination flaring in her chest. She wouldn't give up on her brother, no matter the cost.