The sky above the kingdom of Elyria shimmered with three moons, their silver light illuminating the vast fields and crystal-clear lakes. The people—Humans, Lunarii, and Eldren—lived in harmony here, blessed by the nurturing gods who had shaped their lands. But beneath the surface of their tranquil lives lay whispers of a forgotten past: a war that had left scars upon the galaxy, and prophecies of its eventual return.
Auren Felshade, a Lunarii healer, stood on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Glade of Stars, where wildflowers glowed with an ethereal light. Her silver hair caught the moonlight as she closed her eyes and let the breeze carry her thoughts away. For weeks, she had been haunted by dreams of a burning sky and a voice whispering her name. Tonight, she sought solace in solitude, but the unease remained.
Suddenly, a low hum filled the air, growing louder until it became an oppressive vibration. The earth trembled beneath her feet as cracks formed in the glade below, releasing a sickly, golden light. Auren staggered back, her heart pounding. From the fissure rose a towering figure cloaked in darkness, its form radiating power that seemed to distort reality itself.
The figure spoke, its voice reverberating like a thousand echoes. "The slumber ends. The Liberators awaken."
Hours later, Auren sat in the council chamber of Elythar's Sanctum, surrounded by the other leaders of Elyria. Among them were Caleb Varath, a human warrior with a stern gaze, and Elyndra Vael, an Eldren scholar whose golden skin shimmered like sunlight.
"We must not act rashly," Elyndra said, her voice calm yet firm. "This could be a natural phenomenon. The gods remain in their slumber."
"Natural?" Caleb slammed his fist on the table. "Auren saw it herself—a being claiming to serve the Liberators! You want to dismiss that as coincidence?"
Auren's hands trembled as she recounted what she had seen, her words faltering. "It wasn't just a being. It felt… ancient. As if it had been waiting for this moment for centuries."
Silence fell over the room. Elyndra exchanged a wary glance with Caleb before speaking. If the Liberators are awakening, we must warn the other races. The Giants of Kaelrock, the Drakari of Duskfen, even the Valkyrans of the Sky Bastions. If we stand divided, we are doomed."
Far from Elyria, in the shadowed halls of the ruined temple of Kaelthar, a figure knelt before a golden statue of the God of Ambition. The air was thick with the stench of decay and the faint hum of forbidden magic.
Eryndor Kael, an Eldren outcast, pressed his forehead to the cold stone floor. "Master, I have done as you commanded. The seal weakens. Soon, you shall rise again."
The statue's eyes flared to life, glowing with a malevolent light. Kaelthar's voice filled the chamber. "Good. But the work is not yet complete. The Nurturers must remain in slumber. Their champions, however, must fall. Begin with Elyria. Shatter their unity and let chaos take root."
Eryndor smirked. "As you will it, my lord."
_____
Auren and Caleb prepared to travel north to the Valkyran Sky Bastions, their mission to unite the scattered races against the looming threat. Elyndra stayed behind to manage Elyria's defenses, her expression unreadable as she bid them farewell.
The journey was perilous. The once vibrant lands were now marred by strange phenomena—rivers ran crimson, forests whispered warnings in unknown tongues, and the skies churned with unnatural storms. Auren's unease grew with each passing day.
"What if it's too late?" she whispered one evening as they camped beneath the shelter of a withered oak.
Caleb looked at her, his face softened by the firelight. "Then we fight for what remains. For the people we love."
His words were meant to comfort, but Auren couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking into a trap.
When they reached the Valkyran Sky Bastions, the sight was both awe-inspiring and chilling. The once grand spires that floated among the clouds were in ruins, their foundations crumbling. Valkyran warriors, their proud wings tattered, glared at the visitors with suspicion.
The leader of the Valkyrans, Arden Caelir, met them in the Hall of Feathers. "You bring news of danger, yet danger follows you," he said, his golden eyes piercing.
Before Auren could respond, a commotion erupted outside. The doors burst open, revealing Elyndra, flanked by Valkyran guards. Her face was a mask of cold determination.
"Auren Felshade," Elyndra said, her voice echoing through the hall. "You are accused of consorting with forces beyond this realm. Surrender yourself, or face judgment."
Auren's heart sank. "Elyndra, what are you doing? I've done nothing—"
"Enough!" Elyndra interrupted, her golden skin now flickering with an unnatural light. "You've brought ruin upon us all."
Before anyone could react, a deafening roar shook the hall. From the shadows emerged Eryndor Kael, his laughter chilling. "What a delightful reunion," he sneered. "But I have other plans for you, dear Auren."
With a wave of his hand, chaos erupted. Guards turned on each other, wings clashed with steel, and the once-proud hall became a battlefield.
In the chaos, Caleb grabbed Auren's arm. "We have to go—now!"
"But—"
"Now!" he roared, dragging her through the fray.
As they fled into the stormy night, Auren glanced back to see Elyndra kneeling before Eryndor, her eyes filled with something she couldn't understand—regret, or perhaps guilt.
"Why?" Auren whispered to herself, tears streaming down her face.
The answer, she knew, would change everything.