The chamber fell silent after the storm of energy subsided. Elijah stood at the heart of the ritual circle, surrounded by shimmering glyphs that pulsed with the remnants of his awakening. His aura was no longer just a burst of magic—it had settled into something far more profound. Around him, the air rippled like heat waves, distorting the space itself.
Magnus Veylora watched with a furrowed brow, his voice filled with a mix of awe and unease. "This magic… it's not just the Veylora bloodline. There's something else. Something ancient."
Elijah extended his hand, and the space around his palm warped, folding inward as if the air itself were being consumed. A small, dark orb materialized, its surface like liquid shadow.
"Void magic," Elijah said, his voice steady, though his eyes gleamed with curiosity. "This is what I've awakened. A power that transcends the natural laws of Eldora."
Lyra stepped closer, her expression one of concern. "Void magic? That's... unheard of. Space manipulation is rare enough, but the void? That's a realm no mortal should touch."
Elijah turned to her, his expression calm but resolute. "I understand the risks, Mother. But this power chose me. If I don't master it, it will consume me."
Magnus approached, his tone stern. "Void magic is a double-edged sword, boy. It is said to be the domain of chaos, capable of unraveling the very fabric of existence. If you lose control for even a moment—"
"I won't lose control," Elijah interrupted, his voice carrying the weight of conviction. "This power feels... familiar. Like it's always been a part of me."
He raised the dark orb, watching as it expanded and contracted with his thoughts. Closing his eyes, he willed it to dissolve. The orb vanished, and in its place, the air shimmered with faint distortions.
"I see now," Elijah murmured. "Void magic isn't just destruction—it's creation through absence. A canvas of nothingness that bends to my will."
To test his theory, he took a step forward and flicked his wrist. The space before him warped, and in an instant, he was standing across the chamber. Magnus's eyes widened.
"Spatial transference," Magnus muttered. "But without a spell circle or incantation. That's impossible."
"It's not teleportation in the traditional sense," Elijah explained, walking back to his original position. "I'm not moving through space—I'm folding it. Compressing the distance between two points so they overlap. The void bridges the gap."
Caelus, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "Elijah, such a technique would require extraordinary precision. If you miscalculate—"
"Then I'd end up scattered across dimensions," Elijah finished, his tone calm. "I'm aware. But that's why I need to understand this power completely."
He extended both hands, closing his eyes as he focused. The air around him darkened, and faint cracks formed in the space, like fractures in glass. Through them, glimpses of a void-like expanse appeared—a realm of infinite blackness, punctuated by faint stars.
"This is the void," Elijah said, his voice distant, as if he were speaking from another place. "An endless abyss that exists outside of reality. It's not just a tool for destruction. It's a gateway, a reservoir of infinite possibilities."
He gestured toward one of the cracks, and a small object—a stone he had placed earlier in the ritual—disappeared into it. Moments later, the stone reappeared in his other hand, perfectly intact.
"Spatial storage," Magnus observed, his tone now tinged with fascination. "You've created a pocket dimension."
Elijah nodded. "A fragment of the void, tethered to my will. I can store objects—or people—within it, though the strain increases with the size and complexity of what I move."
Magnus crossed his arms, his mind racing. "If you can master this… the applications would be limitless. But tell me, Elijah, can you harness the void for combat?"
Elijah's lips curled into a faint smile. "Let's find out."
He raised his hand, and the fractures in space converged, forming a jagged rift that shot forward like a blade. It struck the far wall, slicing through the enchanted stone as if it were paper. The rift collapsed, leaving behind a perfectly smooth cut.
Lyra gasped. "That's not just cutting—it's erasure. The void consumes anything it touches."
Elijah lowered his hand, his expression thoughtful. "Yes. But it's not mindless destruction. The void obeys intention. If I will it to, it can destroy—or preserve."
He turned to Magnus, his gaze steady. "Grandfather, this is the power I've awakened. A power not bound by the traditions of Eldora, but one that can reshape it. If the demons are preparing for war, then the void will be my weapon."
Magnus stared at him for a long moment before finally nodding. "Very well. But remember this, Elijah: The void is as much a reflection of you as it is a tool. If you lose your resolve, it will consume you. Stay vigilant."
"I will," Elijah promised.
As the chamber settled into quiet once more, Elijah felt a sense of clarity. The void was not just a weapon—it was a part of him. And with it, he would carve a path through the chaos to come.