hest rising and falling with shallow breaths. The big crystal at the room's center pulsed with a dim, steady light, its glow a faint reminder of the blast that had shattered the

words burning into her mind. His hand twitched again, a tiny sign of life, b

ing back to life, but that one bright star pulsed stronger, as if watching over them. A guard's shout echoed from the hall-"The eastern forest is safe, but something's moving!"-and Elyndra's pulse quickened.

g ones, not human. And... voices, like the wind talking." Asha followed, her vines wilted but her green magic still glowing faintly as she supported Lirien, who leaned heavily on her staff. Ve

ut her resolve hardened. Lirien nodded weakly, her anger softened by exhaustion. "The Lirien line's curse is tied to the Veil's heart. If we don't act, it'll come back

her form shifting like the Veil itself. Her eyes were endless pools of silver, and her voice was a melody that wrapped around them. "I am Seraphine, guardian of the Veil," she said. "The shadow

s, where the Betrayer's echo waits. The other must stay, their love a beacon to guide them back. Fail, and both are lost." The room grew cold, and a vision flashed in Elyndra's

teady." Lirien and Veyra exchanged a look, their magic joining to strengthen the room's barriers. Seraphine raised a hand, and the crystal split, revealing a

gered, a reminder of the curse. Elyndra sat beside him, her hand in his, and whispered, "I won't let you go." His fingers twitched again, and a so

, pleading for help. Ryn and Asha armed themselves, their magic ready, while Lirien chanted a protective spell. Veyra handed Elyndra a sma

faces set with determination, but a shadow flickered at the portal's edge-a hint of Kael's return? The whispers grew louder, and the crystal in her hand warmed, s

ces of Starborn ancestors, some angry, some sad. Elyndra's star crystal led the way, its light cutting through the fog, but the ground trembled, and a figure e

oes-each a twisted version of Tavion, each wielding ice magic. "The Betrayer's test," Asha gasped, her vines struggling. Elyndra's heart raced, he

r voice calling him, and struggled to sit up. Lirien and Veyra chanted, their magic a shield, but a crack formed in the core crystal, a sign the Veil was weakening.

hollow-eyed Tavion grabbed her, its icy grip burning. "Give me your love, and he lives," it whispered. Tears fell as she hesitated, her heart torn. The star crystal glo

r the pool, or he dies." Elyndra looked back, the portal a faint glow, and felt Tavion's love pulling her. Ryn and Asha recovered, their magic joining hers, and they stepped toward the pool, the whispers gro