The plain stretched out forever, an endless sheet of ash-colored soil rippling under a sky bruised purple with twilight. The leftover mana storms from the Gate's collapse still flickered faintly like dying embers, illuminating Aeryn, Lysandra, Selene, and Kael as they stood over the crater where Eredas vanished.
For a long moment, none of them said anything.
Not because there was nothing to say—
but because there was too much.
Aeryn was the first to break the silence.
"His presence is still here," he murmured, eyes narrowed at the pulsing black scar on the ground. "Eredas didn't die. He just retreated."
Kael crossed his arms. "I was afraid you'd say that."
Selene, as usual, was the one who voiced what they all felt. "We're nowhere close to the end, are we?"
"No," Aeryn replied. "This… was only a prologue."
Lysandra exhaled sharply, planting her spear into the dirt. "Then we do what we always do. We move."
But Aeryn didn't move.
He stood there, staring at the scar—no, listening to it. The mana was faint, but twisted. Almost like a whisper calling to him.
Come…
You belong to me.
You were born for me.
The same voice that haunted him since childhood.
The voice of the Primordial Entity sealed inside him.
Aeryn clenched his jaw. Not now.
Lysandra noticed instantly—she always did.
"Aeryn. Talk to me."
Before he could answer, the wind shifted—harsh, cold, sharp as a blade. Selene's ears twitched. "Something's coming."
Kael drew his sword. "Friend or enemy?"
"Neither," Selene murmured. "Something… ancient."
A column of black feathers spiraled down from the clouds. They swirled into a humanoid shape before solidifying into a tall, raven-haired elf with charcoal skin, silver eyes, and wings folded behind his back like a cloak made of night.
Kael swore. "A Fallen Aetherian."
Lysandra raised her spear. "State your identity."
The being ignored all of them and walked straight to Aeryn.
"You reek of him," he said. His voice was thunder wrapped in silk. "The Primordial. The First Sin."
Aeryn took a step forward. "And who are you supposed to be?"
The being bowed his head once—respectful, but not submissive.
"I am Vaelor, Third Archon of the Ruined Sky."
Selene's eyes widened. "Impossible. The Archons were wiped out in the First Cataclysm."
Vaelor smiled faintly. "Rumors of our extinction have been… exaggerated."
Aeryn narrowed his eyes. "What do you want from me?"
Vaelor's wings unfurled slightly. "Your survival."
Kael whispered under his breath. "That sounded more like a threat than an offer."
Vaelor continued, ignoring him.
"The Primordial inside you is awakening. Slowly, yes—but inevitably. If left unchecked, it will devour you from within."
Lysandra stepped between them. "He's not your concern."
Vaelor glanced at her with mild interest. "Ah, Lysandra of the Silvermoon. I was wondering when you would show your famous misplaced loyalty."
She bristled. "Say that again. I dare you."
Aeryn raised a hand. "Enough."
His voice was calm, but forceful enough to quiet all four of them.
"What do you want me to do?" Aeryn asked.
Vaelor's wings folded back. "Come with me. There is a place where the Primordial influence can be suppressed—a sanctum untouched by corruption."
Selene instantly shook her head. "That sounds like a trap."
Kael pointed his sword at Vaelor. "I'm with her."
Lysandra grabbed Aeryn's arm. "You're not going anywhere with him."
But Aeryn's eyes stayed locked on Vaelor.
The Archon wasn't lying. Aeryn felt it—an aura of truth wrapped around Vaelor like a second skin.
"If I refuse?" Aeryn asked.
Vaelor answered without hesitation. "Then you will die."
The wind stilled.
Not a threat.
A statement of reality.
Aeryn inhaled slowly, his pulse steady. "Then show me proof. Any fool can claim knowledge about the Primordial."
Vaelor lifted his hand.
A ripple of white-blue mana spread outward like a shockwave. The ground cracked, the sky brightened, and the whispering voice inside Aeryn's head recoiled violently.
Aeryn dropped to one knee. Lysandra caught him instantly.
"Aeryn!"
"I'm fine," he muttered, though sweat dripped down his chin.
Vaelor lowered his hand, expression unreadable. "The Primordial fears me. That is your proof."
Kael stepped forward, blade ready. "Or maybe you just hurt him."
Vaelor didn't bother to respond.
Instead, he looked directly into Aeryn's eyes. "If the entity awakens fully, you will lose everything you are. Even your name."
Aeryn didn't flinch.
"I already lost my name once," he said quietly. "Losing it again isn't what scares me."
Lysandra's grip tightened.
Vaelor tilted his head. "Then what scares you?"
Aeryn's answer was immediate.
"Losing them."
That made Vaelor pause—just slightly.
"…Very well," he said. "Your companions may come. But understand this: the journey is perilous. One misstep could awaken the Primordial prematurely."
Kael smirked. "So nothing new."
Selene shrugged. "We've survived worse."
Lysandra stepped forward. "Lead the way."
Vaelor turned, spreading his wings. "Then follow—if you can keep up."
He shot into the sky like a black comet.
Aeryn sighed. "Of course he can fly."
Kael slapped his back. "Maybe he'll teach you."
"I'm not interested in growing wings."
Lysandra whispered, "I wouldn't mind if you did."
Aeryn blinked. "…What?"
Selene rolled her eyes. "Let's move."
They took off across the plain, following the trail of dark feathers drifting down like snow.
---
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
The group traveled through wastelands untouched by civilization for centuries. Crumbling ruins of lost tribes rose like jagged ghosts along the horizon. Strange silhouettes stalked the edges of their vision—monsters mutated by corrupted mana.
At one point, Vaelor landed and pointed ahead.
"There."
A forest of colossal black trees towered over the land. Their bark pulsed faintly like a heartbeat.
Selene gulped. "Abysswood."
Kael frowned. "This place shouldn't exist anymore."
Vaelor began walking. "Most maps are lies."
Lysandra whispered to Aeryn, "Stay close to me."
Aeryn nudged her gently. "I should be the one saying that."
Lysandra blushed lightly but didn't argue.
The Abysswood was alive.
Branches twisted.
Roots shifted.
Whispers slithered through their minds.
Aeryn gripped his head. "It's calling to me."
Vaelor didn't even turn. "Ignore it."
"Easier said than—nnngh—done."
Lysandra held onto his hand. "Focus on my voice."
Aeryn breathed slowly. Her warmth grounded him.
The whispers grew softer.
Then faded.
Selene exhaled. "This forest sucks."
Kael nodded. "Agreed."
After hours of pushing deeper, they reached a clearing. In the center stood a massive stone structure shaped like an open eye—ancient, cracked, yet radiating intense divine aura.
Vaelor gestured. "The Sanctum of Null. Built to contain any influence—good or evil."
Aeryn approached. "So this is where I learn to suppress it?"
"No," Vaelor said. "This is where you learn to confront it."
Lysandra grabbed his shoulder. "Are you sure?"
Aeryn nodded. "I'm tired of being afraid of something inside me."
Selene smirked. "That's the spirit."
Kael crossed his arms. "We'll guard the outside."
Vaelor turned to Aeryn. "Once you step inside, you won't be able to hear them. Nor they you."
Aeryn hesitated.
"Who's 'they'?"
Vaelor's voice dropped.
"The people you care about."
Aeryn froze.
Selene's eyes widened. "Wait—he'll be cut off from us completely?!"
Lysandra took a step forward. "Aeryn, no. That's reckless."
Aeryn turned, gave them a soft smile.
"I'll be fine."
Kael shook his head. "You say that too often."
Aeryn placed a hand on Lysandra's cheek.
"I promise."
Her breath hitched. "You better come back."
He stepped away before he lost his nerve.
Aeryn faced the Sanctum.
And walked inside.
---
INSIDE THE SANCTUM
The moment he crossed the threshold—
Silence.
Total, absolute silence.
No wind.
No heartbeat.
No breath.
Not even thoughts.
Then—
You finally came home.
Aeryn opened his eyes.
The Primordial stood before him.
A figure made of nothing.
A silhouette shaped like him but taller, darker, more ancient than time.
Aeryn clenched his fists. "You're not my home."
Incorrect.
The voice echoed through the airless void.
I am your origin. Your destiny. Your truth.
"No."
Aeryn walked forward.
"You're just a parasite that thinks it's a god."
The silhouette tilted its head.
You think you can defy me?
"I don't think."
Aeryn's eyes burned with light.
"I know."
The Primordial's form rippled.
Then prove it.
The void cracked open.
A storm of black fire erupted.
Winds carrying screams of extinct civilizations roared past him.
Shadows lunged.
Time twisted.
Reality split.
Aeryn stood tall.
"For the first time, I'm not running," he said, raising his hand. "Let's finish this."
And the void swallowed them both.
---
OUTSIDE THE SANCTUM
Lysandra paced back and forth furiously.
Selene sat on a fallen log, trying to stay calm.
Kael leaned against a tree, sharpening his sword—but his eyes were tense.
Hours passed.
No sound.
No signal.
Lysandra finally snapped. "Why is it taking so long?!"
Vaelor closed his eyes. "Because battles of the soul are not measured in hours."
She grabbed his collar. "If he dies—"
"He won't," Vaelor said simply.
"You don't know that!"
Vaelor looked into her eyes.
"My kind was created to fight Primordials. I know their patterns. Their limits. Their hunger."
"And Aeryn?" she demanded.
"He is the only unknown factor."
Selene stood up. "Meaning?"
Vaelor folded his wings.
"Meaning he might do something no one— not even the Primordials—predict."
Kael sheathed his sword. "Let's hope that's a good thing."
Lysandra stared at the Sanctum, fists trembling.
"You better come back to me, Aeryn…"
---
INSIDE — THE FINAL EXCHANGE
Aeryn and the Primordial clashed in the void.
Light against shadow.
Will against origin.
Existence against entitlement.
The Primordial roared,
You cannot exist without me!
Aeryn screamed back,
"I chose my existence long ago!"
I AM YOUR POWER!
"Then I'll make my own!"
He tore his own mana core open—
Shattering the chains the Primordial had locked him with since birth.
The void exploded.
The Primordial staggered backward, stunned.
What… have you done?
Aeryn stood tall, bleeding mana like liquid silver.
"I severed you," he said. "You're no longer part of me."
IMPOSSIBLE.
Aeryn smirked.
"Everything is impossible… until I decide it isn't."
He snapped his fingers.
Light engulfed the void.
The Primordial screamed—
And vanished.
Aeryn fell to his knees.
Weak.
Exhausted.
But finally—
Free.
He whispered, "I'm coming back, everyone."
And the Sanctum opened.
---
THE RETURN
The doors burst open with a blast of radiant light.
Lysandra spun around. "AERYN!"
Aeryn stumbled out.
His eyes brighter.
His aura calmer.
His presence—complete.
Selene gasped.
Kael grinned wide.
Vaelor simply nodded.
Lysandra ran to him, grabbed him, and pulled him into a tight embrace.
"Don't you ever do that again," she whispered into his chest.
Aeryn wrapped an arm around her. "I had to."
She hit his shoulder lightly. "You're an idiot."
Kael laughed. "Our idiot."
Selene smirked. "Welcome back, fearless leader."
Vaelor stepped forward. "You succeeded."
Aeryn nodded. "He's gone."
Vaelor gave a faint smile. "Then your true journey begins now."
Aeryn raised an eyebrow. "Meaning?"
Vaelor spread his wings.
"The Primordial was only one of seven."
Silence.
Lysandra groaned. "Of course."
Aeryn sighed. "Fine. Then we keep going."
He looked at his team—
his family—
and smiled.
"Ready?"
They smiled back.
"Always."