"There's someone missing in this family hug, Mom," Kai said, a tinge of sadness in his voice.
Elara sighed deeply. "I know. I will go back for her. But… what is this place?" She asked breaking the hug slowly.
They looked around, taking in the barren expanse of dry plains. The ground was cracked and lifeless, stretching endlessly to the horizon. A heavy wind carried swirls of dust and dirt, with no sign of life anywhere.
Kai crossed his arms. "And now we're lost in the wilderness with nothing but an orb."
Suddenly, a deep, resonant voice echoed through the air.
{I am not just a normal orb.}
Both Elara and Kai froze in shock. Kai instinctively released the orb, but instead of falling, it floated midair, pulsating with a dark purple glow that grew brighter with each passing second.
Elara spun around, her eyes narrowing. "Then what are you?"
{I am Zerythius, the Dark Orb. Crafted from pure darkness by the gods of the underworld. Thanks to you, I will now have my revenge on that accursed kingdom. And when I'm done, I will bring her back… along with her tribe.}
Elara and Kai exchanged a glance before asking in unison, "Who?"
{Dashara.}
Elara's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?! My mother?"
{Yes. She was my ally, my best counter part.She heard my call and rescued me from the clutches of the filthy Inaru tribe, who rebuked my power.}
Elara's voice trembled. "What happened to her?"
The orb's glow intensified as it continued. {The other four tribes were jealous of the strength and power I gave her. Together, they joined forces to stop her. Lysandra and Morphine entered an epiphany and forged a weapon strong enough to neutralize me. They erased her entire tribe from existence… wiped it to nothingness.}
Elara's fists clenched as her veins bulged. Her body trembled with barely restrained fury, and a guttural scream of anguish escaped her lips. She dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face.
"I will make them pay," she said, her voice trembling but resolute.
Kai knelt beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "And we'll rule over this land together."
{But you are weak,} Zerythius replied.
Elara lifted her head, her expression hardening. "We were weak, but not anymore."
"And now, we have you on our side," Kai added with determination.
{If you truly wish to fulfill your vengeance, you must meet the other me.} It voiced out.
Elara's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
{The shadow entity in the forest at the borders. That is my soul.}
Elara and Kai exchanged glances. Finally, Kai nodded. "We're ready."
{Then it is time for my body and soul to reunite.}
The orb floated higher into the air, glowing brighter and brighter until a piercing pink beam shot into the sky. The once-bright plains darkened as ominous storm clouds rolled in. Thunder rumbled, shaking the ground beneath them.
Kai and Elara watched as the pink ray disappeared, replaced by a swirling portal of black smoke that materialized in front of them. The orb descended slowly, its glow pulsating like a heartbeat.
{Shall we?}, the orb asked as it drifted through the portal.
Kai reached for Elara's hand. "Let's finish this," he said.
They stepped through together, vanishing into the dark vortex.
---
At the castle balcony, Queen Lysandra and Billy stood side by side. The pink beam of light from the plains was visible even from their vantage point, and as it faded, an ominous sense of dread settled over them.
"We need to stop Elara," Lysandra said, her tone grave. "I fear she may seek to join forces with the Shadow."
Billy clenched his fists. "You're here now, Mom. We'll figure something out. Their ambitions must not see the light of the day."
Lysandra turned to face him, her expression softening into a faint smile. "Yes, we will. I'm glad you awakened your powers in time."
Billy raised an eyebrow. "I did… but I don't know much about them."
Her smile deepened. "Come with me, son. It's time you learned the truth."
She proceeded into the royal medical chambers and he followed closely behind. What secrets did his mother hold for him?
---
To Be Continued...