Chapter 29
The Eternal Choice
The silence in the outskirts of Eldarath was oppressive, broken only by the distant crackle of flames and the cries of the dying city. Alaric stood at the edge of a crumbling outcrop, his gaze fixed on the burning skyline. The city he had fought so hard to protect was a shadow of its former glory. Eldarath was dying, consumed by chaos, and he knew this was their last chance to save it—or end it forever.
His companions were quiet behind him, their breaths heavy with exhaustion and anticipation. Seraphine stepped forward, her green eyes piercing through the gloom. "Are you ready for this, Alaric?"
He didn't respond immediately. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. "I don't think anyone can ever truly be ready for something like this," he said at last. "But it doesn't matter. The time for hesitation is over."
The Eternal Crown rested in a bundle of cloth on the ground nearby, its faint golden glow pulsing like a heartbeat. The crown's allure was as potent as ever, its whispers brushing against the edges of Alaric's mind.
"Once you put it on, there's no turning back," Kaela warned, her voice tinged with fear.
"I know," Alaric replied, his tone steady. "If this is the price to end the darkness, then so be it."
Seraphine reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "You're not doing this alone. We're with you, no matter what happens."
He looked at her, gratitude and sorrow flickering in his eyes. "Thank you. All of you. I wouldn't have made it this far without you."
The group exchanged silent nods, their determination unspoken but resolute.
Alaric knelt before the crown, unwrapping it carefully. The golden circlet shimmered in the dim light, its surface etched with ancient runes that seemed to writhe and shift. He hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and placed it on his head.
The effect was immediate.
Power surged through him, a torrent of magic so overwhelming it nearly brought him to his knees. His vision blurred, and the world around him seemed to twist and warp. The whispers in his mind grew louder, insistent, tempting.
"You are strong, Alaric," the voice purred. "But you could be more. You could be everything."
He clenched his fists, fighting to maintain control. "I didn't do this for power," he growled. "I did this to stop you."
The voice laughed, cold and mocking. "Stop me? You are me now. You cannot fight what you've already become."
A warm hand on his shoulder anchored him. Seraphine's voice cut through the haze like a blade. "Focus, Alaric. Remember why you're here. Remember who you are."
Her presence steadied him, and he stood tall, the crown's glow intensifying. The darkness inside him recoiled, its grip loosening. "I am Alaric of Eldarath," he said firmly, his voice ringing with authority. "And I will not be consumed."
With his newfound strength, Alaric led the group back into the heart of Eldarath. The streets were unrecognizable, twisted into a labyrinth of shadow and fire. The corrupted citizens and dark witches patrolled the ruins, their eyes glowing with malevolent energy.
The group moved cautiously, using Seraphine's magic to shield them from detection. But their presence didn't go unnoticed for long. A wave of abominations—twisted creatures of flesh and shadow—descended upon them, shrieking with unnatural fury.
"Hold the line!" Kaela shouted, her sword gleaming as she charged into the fray.
Alaric joined her, his magic crackling through the air. The power of the crown amplified his spells, allowing him to obliterate enemies with a single gesture. But with each surge of magic, he felt the crown's pull growing stronger, its whispers more insistent.
"Give in," it urged. "Let go of your doubt, your fear. Embrace the power, and nothing can stand against you."
He gritted his teeth, pushing the voice aside. "Not today."
The battle was fierce, but with Seraphine's protective wards and Kaela's unrelenting blade, they managed to fight their way through the horde. Finally, they reached the city's central square, where the source of the darkness awaited them.
The primordial entity was unlike anything they had ever seen. A massive, writhing mass of shadow and fire, it towered over the ruins, its presence suffocating. Its form was constantly shifting, faces and shapes emerging and dissolving within the darkness.
"Welcome, Alaric," the entity rumbled, its voice shaking the very ground. "You've come to join me at last."
"I've come to end you," Alaric replied, stepping forward.
The entity laughed, a sound like thunder. "You wear the crown, and yet you think you can resist me? Foolish boy. I am the darkness. I am the crown. You cannot destroy me without destroying yourself."
Alaric glanced back at his companions. "Whatever happens, stay back. This is my fight."
"We're not leaving you," Seraphine said firmly, her staff glowing with light.
He smiled faintly. "I figured you'd say that."
The battle began.
The entity lashed out with tendrils of shadow, each one crackling with dark magic. Alaric met its attacks head-on, his own magic clashing with the darkness in blinding bursts of light. The crown's power gave him the strength to hold his ground, but he could feel it exacting a toll.
Seraphine and Kaela joined the fight, their coordinated attacks providing crucial support. Seraphine's light magic burned through the shadows, while Kaela's sword strikes disrupted the entity's form.
But the darkness was relentless. It pressed harder with every moment, forcing the group to retreat step by step. Alaric could feel the crown's whispers growing louder, more desperate.
"You cannot win this battle alone," it hissed. "Let me in. Together, we can destroy it."
"No," Alaric said through gritted teeth. "I don't need you."
The entity laughed again, its voice booming. "You are already mine, Alaric. The more you fight, the stronger I become."
Realizing the truth in its words, Alaric made a choice—a terrible, desperate choice. He turned to his companions, his expression resolute. "Get out of here."
"What?" Kaela shouted. "We're not leaving you!"
"You have to," Alaric said, his voice shaking. "If I give myself to the crown, I can draw the darkness into me. But I don't know if I'll survive it."
"No!" Seraphine cried, her eyes filling with tears. "There has to be another way."
"There isn't," Alaric said, stepping closer to the entity. "This is the only way to end it."
Before they could stop him, he unleashed all the power of the crown, drawing the darkness toward him. The entity roared in fury, its tendrils lashing out as it was pulled into the crown's golden glow.
The strain was unbearable. Alaric fell to his knees, his body wracked with pain as the darkness tried to consume him. But he held on, his will stronger than the crown's whispers, stronger than the darkness itself.
Finally, with one last surge of power, the entity was gone. The crown shattered, its pieces falling to the ground in a cascade of light.
Alaric collapsed, his vision fading. The last thing he saw was Seraphine rushing toward him, her voice calling his name.
And then, there was silence.