The weight of Varian's words hung in the air.
Kael's heart pounded. Unleashing a god? That wasn't what he had signed up for. He had fought, bled, and nearly died believing he was preventing a monster's return. But now, he wasn't sure who the real monsters were.
Lyra exhaled sharply. "Okay. Let's assume you're telling the truth. That still doesn't answer the question—what do we do?"
Varian turned, walking deeper into the underground chamber. "Before you decide, you must see what remains of his power."
Kael and Lyra exchanged a look before following.
---
The hallway opened into a colossal cavern, its walls covered in ancient, glowing runes. In the center, floating above a pedestal, was a fragment of the Celestial Crown.
But this piece was different from the others.
It pulsed. Not with magic, but with something alive.
Kael took an uneasy step forward. The moment he did, the cavern shook.
A deep voice rumbled through the air.
"Who dares approach my prison?"
Kael froze. His blood ran cold.
The voice wasn't coming from the crown fragment.
It was coming from everywhere.
Lyra grabbed his arm. "Kael, something's wrong—"
The cavern darkened. Shadows twisted around them, coiling like living creatures. A shape emerged—a monstrous, shifting form of darkness, standing at the far end of the chamber.
Two glowing, golden eyes stared at them.
Kael gritted his teeth. He didn't need Varian to explain what this was.
They were face-to-face with the will of the Hollow King.
---