After saying goodbye to Yumi and the others, Akira was enveloped in an intense light that transported him back to his dimension. When he opened his eyes, what awaited him was not the chaos and darkness he expected, but a vast field of multicolored flowers. The scent of petals filled the air, and the vibrant colors seemed to dance in the gentle breeze.
— Finally... I'm home, — Akira muttered to himself, still feeling the adrenaline from the previous battles, but soon being overcome by a sense of peace. — But something is wrong.
The tranquility around him hid an invisible tension. It was as if the dimension itself was whispering ancient secrets, trying to warn him of imminent danger.
Suddenly, a shadow glided across the field and a whisper echoed in his ears.
— You... Akira... the mage who crossed dimensions.
Akira turned around, eyes narrowing as he saw a hooded figure approaching from the shadows. The presence of that figure radiated a dense, mystical aura, which chilled the air around it.
- Who are you? — Akira asked, assuming a defensive posture, but feeling that the figure was not completely hostile.
— My name... is Zilá, — the voice was soft and calm, but had a firmness that made it clear that she knew more than she let on. The hood obscured his features, except for the glowing eyes that seemed to see through Akira.
— Why are you here?— he asked, keeping alert.
— I'm here to warn you — said Zilá, advancing without making a sound. — The dark organization you faced has not yet been defeated. They seek power far beyond what you and your friends have faced. They want to break down the barriers between the worlds, and Yumi... is still in danger.
Akira felt his blood run cold. He believed that everything was over, but Zilá continued.
— There is an ancient artifact, hidden in the Caves of Eternity, capable of sealing the dimensions once and for all. They are preparing for the counterattack, and this time... it will be devastating.
Akira frowned, a new determination growing within him. He had to protect Yumi and the world he had left behind.
— Tell me where to find this artifact, — said Akira, his voice firm. — I'll stop them from getting it and I'll make sure Yumi and the others are safe.
Zilá smiled faintly under his hood, disappearing into the shadows as quickly as he appeared.
— Time is running out.
With a deep sigh, Akira began his journey to the Caves of Eternity, ready to face whatever was necessary to protect his friends and the balance between the worlds.
As he advanced, an uncomfortable shadow hovered over his mind: Why was he trusting Zilá?
He had no connection with her. Zilá had appeared as a mysterious figure, shrouded in shadows and secrets, offering advice in a time of uncertainty. But something inside Akira, something primal and instinctive, made him believe his words were true.
It was as if an invisible force was guiding him on this journey. It was not confidence in Zilá's person, but rather a dark feeling that fate was playing its cards. He knew, in his essence, that the path to the Caves of Eternity was inevitable. The vision of Yumi and her friends in danger, still fresh in his mind, tormented and drove him. He was being drawn into this confrontation, not by choice, but because he felt that the events were already written – and Zilá was just the messenger of a dark destiny that he could not avoid.
Perhaps Zilá was a player in this larger game, Akira reflected. Or maybe it was more of a play... just like me.
With this strange realization, he continued his journey, knowing that whatever the truth about Zilá, the fight to come would be decisive for everyone's future.