Chapter 58: The Ancient Arbiter and the Frozen Light
A Shadow from the Depths of Time
From within the thickest shadows behind the marble pillars, a figure emerged that made even Elias's breath hitch in his throat. It was a man with hair like the rays of a dead white star, wearing a cloak that seemed to be woven from the fabric of the void itself. His eyes were neither black nor white, but a swirling, chaotic gray—like a storm frozen in the middle of time. This was Malakor, the Ancient Arbiter, the one who first taught the forbidden magics to the Shadow King. He was so ancient that his name had been erased from almost every history book and scroll in existence. His presence didn't just bring darkness; it brought a cold silence that felt like the end of the world.
Malakor's Cold Decree
Malakor gazed at the Crown of Dawn resting on Rina's head with a cold, soulless smile. His voice echoed like the grinding of ancient stones: "So, the descendants of the Sun still draw breath. You believe a crown of light can erase thousands of years of darkness? Balance requires both, little queen. By trying to turn everything into light, you have broken the scales." He raised a pale hand, and the golden radiance of the hall began to tremble and fade, as if the light itself was terrified of his touch.
Elias's Terror
Elias took a trembling step forward, his staff clattering against the floor as the entire hall shook. "Malakor... you were supposed to be imprisoned in the Starless Dimension forever! How did you return?" Malakor's laughter was a hollow sound, devoid of any joy. "The sacrifice of the mother weakened the walls of this world, and the rage of the crimson boy—" he gestured toward Diari "—tore a hole large enough for me to slip through. You didn't just defeat the shadows; you invited me home."
Diari's Defiance
Despite the agonizing pain in his chest, Diari stepped in front of Rina, shielding her. His red eyes flared with a renewed, desperate intensity. "I don't care how ancient you are!" Diari roared, his crimson stings crackling with electric fury. "You will not lay a finger on her!" Malakor tilted his head, looking at Diari with a flicker of curiosity. "The Crimson Spark... what a waste of talent. You protect the light that will eventually burn you." With a casual flick of his finger, Malakor sent a wave of gray energy that slammed Diari backward, pinning him against the marble wall as if gravity itself had turned against him.
End of the Chapter
Rina felt the Crown of Dawn growing heavy, almost unbearable, on her head. The solar light was struggling, suffocating against the ancient, void-like presence of Malakor. She realized that the war for the forest hadn't ended; it had only just reached its most dangerous stage. Malakor took a slow, predatory step toward her, his gray eyes fixed on the Sacred Seal on her chest. "Give the Heart to me, Rina," he whispered, his voice vibrating in her very bones. "Let darkness and light finally become one within me."
Written by: Dlin_myth