The hall was thrown into chaos as Orien, the leader of a neighboring realm, stormed into Aeloria's central chamber. Clad in armor that shimmered like starlight, he carried an aura of authority and urgency that silenced the room.
His followers—fierce warriors and scholars alike—stood behind him, their faces grim.
Orien's voice echoed through the chamber.
"A supermassive black hole has appeared, consuming everything in its path. My realm is barely holding on, and it won't be long before it turns its sights to Aeloria."
Veader's face paled, but he stood his ground.
"How close is it?"
"Close enough," Orien replied darkly.
"We've tried everything to slow it down, but nothing works. If we don't find a solution soon, it will devour us all."
Valerie felt a chill run down her spine. The weight of the situation pressed down on her, threatening to crush her resolve.
She instinctively clutched the glowing stone with the word slumber carved into it, its warmth a small comfort amidst the growing dread.
"I have to find out what this means," Valerie murmured, her voice barely audible.
Sky raised an eyebrow.
"You're not thinking of running off, again and solving this on your own, are you?"
Valerie shook his head.
Veader frowned.
"If the fractures and the black hole are connected, then we're running out of time."
But Valerie wasn't listening. Her focus was on the carved stone - 'Slumber'. Somehow, she felt the answer was buried within its cryptic message. If only she could unlock it.
Without a word, she turned and left the chamber quietly--unnoticed, the stone clutched tightly in her hands.
---
Lover found her moments later, seated near a quiet balcony overlooking the fractured cityscape. The stone rested in her lap, its glow casting an eerie light on her face.
"What are you doing?" he asked, his tone sharp.
Valerie glanced at him, her expression a mix of frustration and desperation.
"I'm trying to figure it out. This word, slumber… it's the key to everything. I just know it. But no matter how hard I think, nothing makes sense."
Lover crossed his arms, watching her intently.
"What is your plan?"
"I'm going to hit my head with it or do whatever I can - or maybe - I don't know! This is making me crazy."
Her voice trembled.
Lover's eyes widened, a rare flicker of emotion crossing his face.
"What?"
"I'll knock some sense into myself. Maybe then I'll understand!"
Valerie said, her grip tightening on the stone.
Before she could lift it, Lover was beside her in an instant, his hand snatching the stone from hers with ease.
His crimson eyes blazed as he glared at her.
"Do you think that will solve everything?"
Valerie's frustration boiled over.
"I don't know what else to do! This word—it's haunting me! If I don't figure it out, everyone here, all of us, could die!"
Lover's grip on the stone tightened. He knelt before her, forcing her to meet his gaze.
"Listen.Veader and all the Keepers will figure it out," he paused, then continued, "we'll figure it out - together. Throwing yourself into danger—isn't the answer. Don't kill your self. I don't let things die without purpose."
"Well, I do have a purpose." Valerie said.
"No." Lover said, with a firm voice.
His words hit her harder than she expected. Tears welled in her eyes as the weight of everything threatened to overwhelm her.
"I'm just so scared," she admitted, her voice breaking.
"What if I can't do this?"
Lover's expression softened, and for a moment, the intimidating demon seemed almost human.
"You can," he said quietly.
She blinked at him, surprised by the gentleness in his tone. Slowly, she nodded, her resolve returning.
"You're right. I can't give up. Not now."
Lover stood, handing the stone back to her.
As they stood together, the stone's glow seemed to intensify, as if responding to Valerie's renewed determination. Whatever 'slumber' meant, she would uncover its secret—and save them all.