Solarys, the realm of eternal light, had become a place of death and despair. What was once a land of radiant cities was now broken shadows, filled with smoke and ashes. The screams of the desperate filled the air as the creatures of darkness ravaged everything in their path. Families clung to one another, fleeing through collapsing ruins with nowhere to hide.
Some fought with what little strength they had left, casting rays of energy or raising shields weakened by fear. But most stood no chance. Parents fell protecting their children, children ran alone through the chaos, and the shadows devoured anyone who dared to resist. The darkness had not only consumed Solarys—it had extinguished all hope.
Kael stood atop a crumbling tower, his gaze fixed on the ruins of his world. His jaw was tight, but his eyes betrayed more than anger; they carried a deep pain and an unbearable guilt.
"We can't save them, Kael. You know that," Lyria said, her voice trembling, though her hand remained steady on the hilt of her sword.
Kael didn't answer immediately. Lyria's words were a blow to his chest, but he knew she was right. They had fought, they had tried to resist, but the darkness was relentless. Solarys was lost.
"We can try. We can design a way to fight back... but not here. Not like this," Kael said, gesturing to the sky, where a shadowy figure loomed, absorbing the light of the stars.
Lyria closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. Her fiery red hair glowed faintly in the dim light, a reminder that some power still lingered within them.
"The Earth?" she asked, opening her eyes to meet Kael's.
"The Earth," Kael confirmed with a nod. "If we can get there, we can plan. But we have to go now. There's no time."
Without hesitation, both leapt from the tower, their bodies surrounded by a golden aura of energy. Flight was natural to the people of Solarys, a gift of their advanced civilization, but now even that seemed threatened. They moved quickly, soaring over the ruins of their world with every second precious. In the distance, a portal glimmered faintly, its light flickering as if on the verge of collapse.
But before they could reach it, a piercing shriek tore through the air. Winged creatures—grotesque fusions of woman and beast—emerged from the shadows. Their faces were a twisted blend of beauty and malice, their eyes burning with pure hatred. They smiled cruelly, and in an instant, they dove toward them.
"Lyria, up!" Kael shouted, veering to the side as one of the creatures lunged at him.
Lyria spun mid-air, drawing her sword in a flash of light. With a fierce cry, she slashed the first creature in her path, cleaving it in two. Her flight was agile and precise, as if the sky itself was her battlefield. A second creature attempted to strike her from behind, but Lyria twisted and unleashed a burst of energy from her blade, disintegrating it instantly.
Kael, meanwhile, dodged his attackers with rapid movements, his sharp mind analyzing their patterns. With calculated precision, he fired a burst of energy at a cluster of creatures, sending them crashing into a nearby hill. But more kept coming, circling them like vultures.
"The portal, Kael!" Lyria shouted, diving toward him to cover his back.
Kael nodded, adjusting his flight toward the portal while Lyria held off the creatures. Each strike of her sword was a beacon of hope in the darkness, but their numbers were overwhelming. Finally, Kael stopped mid-flight and unleashed a massive energy burst, destabilizing the creatures and giving them just enough time to escape.
They flew through the portal just as the creatures lunged at them. But it wasn't over. As they soared toward Earth, Kael felt a chill run down his spine. Far in the distance, from the ruins of Solarys, the figure of darkness watched them. Its crimson eyes glowed with cruel intensity, and a macabre smile spread across its face.
"They'll come for us," Lyria said, her voice tense but resolute.
"Let them try," Kael replied, a spark of determination in his eyes as the portal enveloped them.