With the shard in hand, Rayan felt a surge of power coursing through his veins. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced. The Sky Mirror's shard was a beacon of light, holding the potential to reshape fate itself. Yet, with such power came a heavy burden, one that weighed on Rayan's shoulders.
As he turned to Kael and Eron, both of them were already eyeing the path ahead. The trials had pushed them to their limits, but now, with the shard, the true battle was about to begin. The Shadow Sovereign's forces were out there, lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike.
"We have what we need," Kael said, his voice measured and calm despite the tension that hung in the air. "But it won't be enough unless we act fast."
Rayan nodded, his grip tightening on the shard. "We need to head back to the capital. The Sovereign's army is gathering, and if we don't stop them now, there won't be a world left to save."
Eron cracked his knuckles, his grin returning. "A little army of shadows? Sounds like my kind of party."
Rayan couldn't help but smile at Eron's reckless confidence. It was strange how the rogue's carefree attitude seemed to always lighten the mood, even in the darkest moments. But there was no time for distractions. They had one chance to defeat the Sovereign.
The Grand Keeper, having remained silent up until this point, now stepped forward. His presence filled the room once again, and his gaze lingered on Rayan with a mix of respect and sorrow.
"You have passed the trials," the Grand Keeper said, his voice grave. "But the hardest part is yet to come. The Sovereign is not a mere mortal. He is an ancient being, woven from the threads of darkness itself. Even with the shard, you must be prepared for the cost."
Rayan met the Keeper's gaze, determination hardening in his chest. "I've come this far. Whatever it takes, I'll stop him."
The Keeper's expression softened for a moment, but the sorrow in his eyes remained. "The Sovereign has already made his move. His forces march toward the capital. I fear that you may already be too late."
Kael stepped forward. "We won't know unless we try. How do we reach the capital from here?"
The Keeper nodded toward the far side of the chamber, where an ancient portal shimmered in the air. It was faint, almost invisible, but the swirling energy around it pulsed with a strange, otherworldly rhythm.
"This portal will take you directly to the heart of the capital. But know this: the Sovereign's reach extends farther than you realize. The closer you get to him, the more his influence will try to twist your will. Do not falter."
Rayan exchanged a glance with Kael, then Eron. They had come this far. They couldn't back down now.
"Let's go," Rayan said, stepping toward the portal. The shard pulsed in his hand, as though urging him onward.
As they crossed the threshold, the world around them twisted and bent. The air grew heavier, charged with dark energy. Rayan could feel the presence of the Sovereign's forces all around them, a storm of malice and power gathering on the horizon.
The portal dropped them on the outskirts of the capital, the massive walls of the city looming in the distance. The skyline was dark, and Rayan could feel the weight of the Sovereign's shadow hanging over everything.
"We're close," Kael said, scanning the area. "Too close."
"Time to put an end to this," Eron muttered, cracking his neck. He was always ready for a fight, but Rayan could sense the gravity of the situation had even him on edge.
They moved swiftly through the darkened streets, avoiding patrols of shadow soldiers that wandered through the alleyways. The city was on the brink of collapse—half of it already in ruins, the other half preparing for the coming storm. The capital, once a beacon of hope, was now a bastion of fear.
As they reached the central plaza, Rayan could see the first signs of the Sovereign's forces gathering. Thousands of shadowy figures, clad in dark armor and wielding twisted weapons, marched toward the royal palace. The air was thick with the oppressive weight of their power.
"We don't have much time," Kael said, his eyes narrowing. "We need to stop them before they reach the palace."
Rayan nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. The final confrontation was drawing near. He could feel the Sovereign's presence like a dark cloud, swirling and growing more oppressive by the second.
"There," Eron said, pointing to a group of high-ranking shadow soldiers gathered near the front of the army. "That's where the Sovereign's lieutenant is. Take him down, and the rest will scatter."
Rayan's eyes locked onto the lieutenant, a hulking figure clad in black, his eyes glowing with an unnatural light. The Sovereign's right hand, the one who had been pulling the strings behind the scenes.
With a nod, Rayan and his companions moved into position. The battle was about to begin.
Kael raised his staff, conjuring a brilliant burst of celestial light that illuminated the entire plaza. The shadow soldiers faltered for a moment, their dark forms recoiling from the light. Eron dashed forward, his blades flashing as he took down two soldiers in quick succession.
Rayan focused on the lieutenant, his eyes narrowing. This was it. The endgame.
The Sovereign would fall tonight. But first, they would have to face his most loyal servant.