The sky of Aether was covered by a blue-purple aurora, traces of Rael's energy still lingering in the air. At the Observation Tower, Lyra stared at the blue crystal in her hand—the shadow of Rael inside it growing fainter, as if slowly fading away.
"We need to act," Dax hissed, turning the hologram of an ancient inscription found in the ruins of the Vrynn caves. "Proto-Supremacy and the Black Moon have already conquered half of the southern dimension. If they reach the Creator's Artificial Sun, everything will be over."
Niro crossed his arms, his gaze dark. "And we're supposed to believe that the boy in that crystal can save us again? Look at him, Lyra! He couldn't even save himself!"
The crystal glowed brightly, as if responding to Niro's anger. Lyra clasped her hands around it. "He's still fighting in there. I can feel it."
That night, the sirens wailed. Vrynn ships cloaked in black-purple energy attacked Aether. At the head of the fleet, Proto-Supremacy-Black Moon stood with a new form: a metal body covered in black crystal, his eyes glowing red like the pits of hell.
"Hand over the crystal, and I will end your suffering swiftly."
Lyra leaped into the battlefield, the blue crystal bound to her energy sword. Each slash sent out blue-purple waves, but its power was unstable—some strikes even injuring civilians.
"Stop, Lyra!" Niro shouted, pulling her behind the debris. "You're not Rael! You're just making things worse!"
Suddenly, Dap appeared with a strange weapon—a ball of energy inscribed with the Creator's runes. "I found this in Kael's secret lab! This can lock the dimensions!"
But before they could react, Proto-Supremacy-Black Moon struck. His metal claws ripped into Lyra's shoulder, and the blue crystal fell—trampled by the hybrid's foot.
"Finally... mine!"
The blue crystal cracked, releasing a burst of wild energy. From within it, the shadow of Rael crawled out—his body transparent, his blue and purple eyes glowing unevenly.
"Rael...?" Lyra reached out, but her hand passed through his body.
"Lycanthea... she's in my head..." Rael clutched his temple, his voice fractured between his own and a foreign female voice. "She wants to burn everything!"
Proto-Supremacy-Black Moon laughed. "Perfect! With you and Lycanthea united, my power will be unstoppable!"
With swift movement, the hybrid captured Rael, draining his blue-purple energy. But suddenly—
Flashback: The Creator's Secret
The crystal's energy forced everyone present to witness the buried memories:
Lycanthea and the Creator, once partners who built dimensions together.
The Creator's betrayal when Lycanthea tried to use the Breath to revive their dead child.
An eternal curse: Lycanthea was imprisoned at the core of the dimension, while the Creator created the reincarnation cycle—every descendant would become the fuel for the Breath.
"Rael... you are their child," Lyra whispered, her blood mingling with her tears. "You're not Kael's experiment. You're the heir to their bloodline!"
Rael screamed. The energies of Lycanthea and himself fought within his shadowed body. In the real world, Proto-Supremacy-Black Moon spasmed, his metal body cracking from the internal conflict.
"Now!" Dax shouted, throwing the energy ball at the hybrid.
Niro, with his magnetic sword, stabbed into Proto-Supremacy's energy core. "For Rael!"
A massive explosion tore through the sky. The blue crystal shattered into pieces, and Rael's shadow disappeared in the light.
When the dust settled, Aether was silent. In the center of the battle crater, only two crystals remained: one blue, one black.
"He... separated from Lycanthea," Dax whispered, picking up the cracked blue crystal.
Lyra nodded, cradling the crystal. "But where is Rael now?"
In an unknown dimension, Rael awoke in a crystal flower garden—Lycanthea sat beside him, her face full of regret.
"Forgive me, my child. Now, you are free to choose: a new life... or a peaceful end."