s the Betrayer's echo loomed above-a towering shadow with countless eyes, each glinting with a cold, hungry light. The note-The heart must drown to rise-lay crumpled in her hand, its words a weight

s of voices-Starborn ancestors, lost lovers, an

s echo draining him-flashed in her mind, and her chest tightened with love and fear. "What happens if I go in?" she asked, her voice steady despite the tremble in her legs. The Betrayer's echo laughed, a s

But Elyndra shook her head, her love for Tavion a fire that burned through her doubt. "No, this is my choice. His love is my light-I have to do this alone." The Betrayer's eyes narrowed, an

n and Veyra chanted, their magic a fragile shield around the cracked crystal, but a new crack formed, a thin line of darkness spreading. "She's in danger," Tavion rasped, his voice rough. He grabbed a fallen sw

Then we hold it together. For them." The room shook, and a shadow flickered at the portal's edge-Kael Draven, his dark orb repaired, a smirk on his face. "The P

n's ancestor, stood with a woman, their hands joined in love. But the scene darkened as he turned away, a shadowy figure offering power, the Betrayer's first betrayal. The water pulled her deepe

her. "Your love is strong," it said, its voice softer. "But the curse feeds on weakness. Prove it." The stars spun, forming images-Tavion laughing with his family, Elyndra dancing

tle warmth, and tears fell. "Take it," she whispered, and the star of that memory faded, a sharp pain stabbing her chest. The echo laughed, but

om trembled. "You'll fail," Kael taunted, but Tavion's love for Elyndra fueled a blast of ice, freezing Kael's arm. Lirien's vines pulled him back, and Veyra chanted louder, t

agic clashing, their love turning to hate. She stumbled, the vision pulling at her mind, but her star crystal glowed, showing Tavion's hand reaching for hers. "I love you," she whispered

lighting the path. The cavern appeared ahead, and he saw her, submerged, the Betrayer's echo towering over her. "Elyndra!" he shouted, diving into the pool.

he curse lingers. Find the Heart of the Veil." A new note fell: The echo fades, but the heart beats. The forest shifted, revealing a glowing tree at the center, its roots pulsing wi

wing, his arm healed. "The Princess's trial weakens the Spire," he sneered. "I'll claim it all." The room darkened, and a new portal opened, showing Elyndra and Tavion facing the glowing tree. Veyra's eye

ra's heart raced-another sacrifice? Tavion's hand tightened on hers. "We do this together," he whispered, his love echoing her own. The tree's roots parted, revealing a crystal heart, its beat matching theirs. But the shadow in th

the Veil, and a final whisper came: The heart chooses. The tree pulsed, and a vision showed them ruling Celestara, their love eternal-or dying together, the realm falling. Elyndra's star crystal shattered, its light