The sun dipped low over Eldarion, painting the city in hues of amber and gold. The bustling streets were alive with the sounds of merchants calling out their wares, children laughing as they darted through the market square, and the distant toll of the great clocktower marking the hour. To most, it was an ordinary day. But to Kael, it felt like the quiet before a storm.
He stood at the edge of the plaza, his hand resting on the hilt of Eclipse, the blade's faint hum a constant reminder of his duty. His steel-gray eyes scanned the crowd, noting every detail—the nervous glances of the street vendors, the way the city guards tightened their grips on their spears, the unease that seemed to ripple beneath the surface of the city's vibrant facade. Something was wrong. He could feel it in his bones.
"Brooding again, Kael?" a familiar voice called out, soft yet commanding.
He turned to see Lyra approaching, her silver robes shimmering in the fading light. Her presence was a balm to his restless mind. She moved with the grace of someone who had walked the world for centuries, her sapphire-blue eyes holding a depth of wisdom that few could fathom. Her staff, topped with a glowing crystal, tapped lightly against the cobblestones as she walked.
"Just keeping an eye on things," Kael replied, his voice low. "The city feels… off."
Lyra's expression grew solemn. "You sense it too, then. The Veil grows thin, Kael. The balance is shifting."
Kael's jaw tightened. The Veil—the barrier between their world and the Void—was the only thing keeping the chaos at bay. If it fell, the consequences would be unimaginable. "What's causing it?" he asked.
Before Lyra could answer, a scream shattered the calm. The crowd in the plaza scattered as a group of city guards stumbled into view, their faces pale with terror. One of them, a young man with a bloodied face, caught sight of Kael and rushed toward him.
"Outer district—" the guard gasped, clutching his side. "Something's come out of the shadows. It's killing everyone!"
Kael exchanged a glance with Lyra. Without a word, he drew Eclipse, the blade flaring with a faint, otherworldly light. "Stay here," he told the guard. "Protect the people."
He sprinted toward the outer district, Lyra close behind. As they ran, the golden light of the setting sun gave way to an ominous red, as if the sky itself were bleeding. The air grew colder, and the sounds of the city faded into an eerie silence.
When they reached the outer district, the scene was one of utter devastation. Buildings lay in ruins, their walls scorched and crumbling. The streets were littered with bodies, their faces frozen in expressions of terror. And in the center of it all stood the Harbinger.
The creature was a nightmare given form—a towering mass of blackened flesh and corroded metal, its glowing red eyes burning with malice. Its claws dripped with blood, and its jagged maw twisted into a grotesque grin as it turned to face them. The air around it crackled with chaotic energy, and the ground trembled with each step it took.
Kael's grip tightened on Eclipse. "Stay back," he said to Lyra, his voice steady despite the fear clawing at his chest.
Lyra raised her staff, the crystal at its tip glowing brighter. "I'm not leaving you to face this alone."
The Harbinger lunged, its movements unnaturally fast. Kael met it head-on, Eclipse flashing as he parried its claws. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, and Kael gritted his teeth as he pushed back against the creature's immense strength. Lyra's voice rang out behind him, her words weaving a spell that sent a wave of light crashing into the Harbinger, forcing it to stagger.
But the creature was relentless. It recovered quickly, its form shifting and writhing as it lashed out again. Kael dodged, his movements precise and calculated, but he knew he couldn't keep this up forever. The Harbinger was a creature of the Void, its power fueled by chaos itself.
As the battle raged, a figure emerged from the shadows. She was tall and slender, her violet eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. Her long black-and-silver hair flowed freely as she moved, and her dark cloak seemed to blend into the darkness around her. In her hand, she held a staff topped with a pulsating violet crystal.
"You'll need more than brute strength to defeat it," she said, her voice melodic yet laced with urgency. "The Harbinger is bound to the Void. You must sever its connection."
Kael glanced at her, his instincts warring with his desperation. "Who are you?"
"Selene," she replied, her gaze never leaving the Harbinger. "A wanderer of the Void. And if you want to survive this, you'll trust me."
Kael hesitated, but the Harbinger's roar pulled his attention back to the fight. He nodded. "What do I need to do?"
Selene raised her staff, the violet crystal flaring with light. "Strike its sigil—the mark on its chest. That's its anchor to this world."
Kael didn't waste time. He charged at the Harbinger, Eclipse blazing with light. The creature swung its claws, but Kael ducked beneath the attack, driving his blade into the glowing sigil on its chest. The Harbinger let out a deafening shriek as the sigil shattered, its form dissolving into ash.
For a moment, there was silence. Kael stood amidst the ruins, breathing heavily, his sword still glowing faintly. He turned to Selene, his expression a mix of gratitude and suspicion. "You said you're a wanderer of the Void. What does that mean?"
Selene's gaze was steady. "It means I know what's coming. The Veil is failing, Kael. This was only the beginning."
Lyra stepped forward, her staff still glowing. "If the Veil falls, the Age of Chaos will begin. We must act quickly."
Kael looked between them, the weight of their words settling heavily on his shoulders. The storm he had felt brewing was here, and it was far worse than he had imagined. But as he gripped Eclipse, he felt a spark of determination. Whatever was coming, he would face it.
"Then we don't have time to waste," he said, his voice firm. "Tell me what I need to do."
As the crimson sky darkened above them, the three figures stood amidst the ruins, their fates now intertwined. The Age of Chaos had begun, and the battle for the world's survival was just beginning.