Elara and Kael cautiously stepped to the edge of the open chamber. A glowing fog rose from the depths, as if the citadel itself was breathing. Ancient stairs led down into the darkness, where a golden light flickered.
"The time has come," said one of the elders in a serious voice. "The truth you seek is hidden in the depths of this place. But be warned - not everyone who seeks the truth survives it."
Kael looked at Elara. "Are you ready?"
She nodded. "There is no turning back."
Together they stepped into the first step - and immediately the air changed. Reality was distorted as if they were striding through an invisible barrier.
Suddenly they were no longer in the citadel.
They stood in another world.
An empire out of time
A huge sky stretched over them, with endless stars shining like floating islands. Among them was no ground, only an infinite void, from which golden structures slowly formed - gigantic halls, old ruins, branched streets of light.
"What is this...?" Kael whispered.
Elara knew it. Somehow she knew it.
"The Kingdom of the Gods."
Suddenly a voice sounded. Deep, powerful, like the sound of the universe itself.
"You have come a long way... but are you ready to hear the truth?"
Before them appeared a floating figure of pure light. Neither male nor female, a being that existed beyond mortality.
"Elara. Kael You're not here because you wanted to. You're here because you have to."
Elara felt her heart beat faster.
"What do you mean by that?"
The divine being stretched out a hand – and visions appeared before them.
Burning worlds. A war that was bigger than anything they could imagine. Gods who fought. An ancient power that awakened.
"Your world is on the verge of destruction."
Elate held his breath.
"From whom?"
The vision changed – and now she saw herself.
But not as she was.
But as a queen. As a goddess. As a... destroyer.
"The prophecy speaks of a warrior who can walk between light and darkness. One that will either save the world... or destroy it."
Kael grabbed Elara by the arm. "No. That... that can't be."
But Elara knew it. Deep down she had always felt it.
She wasn't just a fighter.
She was destiny itself.
"What do I have to do?" she asked quietly.
The divine being watched them. Then it spoke with a voice that made the universe tremble
"Choose."
Perfect, then it goes on!