The group continued north.
Evans walked beside the Shadow Wolf while Olivia and Leon followed behind.
Aria walked alone.
She hadn't spoken since Darius disappeared.
The revelation about her father continued running through her mind.
Your father is alive.
She had heard those words before.
Years ago, when she was younger, her mother had told her that her father died while protecting their village from monsters.
Aria had believed it.
Until now.
"Aria."
She stopped.
Evans approached her.
"Are you sure you want to come with us?"
She looked at him.
"I need answers."
"About your father?"
"About everything."
She looked toward the mountains.
"Darius knew things he shouldn't have known."
Evans nodded.
"I understand."
Aria studied him.
"You don't."
Evans looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
"You've only had your power for a few days."
She pointed toward his shadow.
"You don't know what it means to carry something everyone fears."
Evans looked at her.
"Maybe not."
He paused.
"But I know what it's like when everyone expects you to be something you're not."
Aria said nothing.
Evans continued walking.
After a moment, she followed.
---
The Mountain Pass
By sunset, the group reached the foot of the northern mountains.
The path ahead was narrow.
Snow covered the rocks.
The Shadow Wolf suddenly stopped.
Evans looked at it.
"What's wrong?"
The wolf growled.
Aria looked around.
"We're being watched."
Leon immediately summoned lightning.
"Again?"
Olivia raised a light barrier.
"Where?"
Aria pointed toward the mountain.
"There."
A figure stood on a cliff above them.
Evans stared.
The figure wore a black cloak.
His face was hidden.
Then he stepped forward.
"I didn't expect you to arrive so soon."
Evans recognized the voice.
"Darius."
The figure removed his hood.
It wasn't Darius.
It was an older man with silver hair.
Aria's eyes widened.
She stopped breathing for a moment.
"Dad?"
The man looked at her.
"Aria."
Her eyes filled with tears.
She took a step forward.
"You..."
She couldn't finish the sentence.
The man looked at Evans.
Then Olivia.
Then Leon.
Finally, he looked at the Shadow Wolf.
His expression became serious.
"So the prophecy has begun."
Aria stared at him.
"Why did you let me believe you were dead?"
Her father looked away.
"Because I needed to protect you."
"From what?"
He didn't answer.
Aria became angry.
"From what?!"
The mountain suddenly shook.
Her father looked toward the Forbidden Lands.
"From them."
A deep roar echoed through the mountains.
Everyone became silent.
Evans felt his Shadow Power reacting.
"What is that?"
Aria's father looked at him.
"The Void."
---
The Hidden Truth
They entered a small cave nearby.
Aria's father lit a magical crystal.
"My name is Kael."
He looked at Evans.
"I once served the Shadow Sovereign."
Evans's eyes widened.
"You knew him?"
"I did."
"Was he evil?"
Kael stared into the fire.
"No."
Evans was silent.
Kael continued.
"The Shadow Sovereign was the guardian of Aurelia."
Olivia looked shocked.
"Then why was he sealed?"
"Because someone betrayed him."
Leon frowned.
"Who?"
Kael looked at Olivia.
"The first Lumina."
Olivia froze.
"What?"
Kael nodded.
"The woman who wielded Light three hundred years ago."
Evans shook his head.
"Why would she betray him?"
"Because she believed the Shadow Sovereign had become corrupted by the Void."
Kael looked toward the mountains.
"But she was wrong."
He paused.
"The Void had possessed someone else."
"Who?" Evans asked.
Kael's expression became grim.
"The king."
Everyone became silent.
"The king?" Leon asked.
Kael nodded.
"The ruler of Aurelia at that time wanted the Shadow Sovereign's power. He created a false story that the Shadow Sovereign had summoned the Void."
Evans clenched his fists.
"So the Shadow Sovereign was betrayed."
"Yes."
"And the Lumina sealed him?"
"Yes."
Olivia looked down at her hands.
"Then why does my power feel connected to his?"
Kael looked at her.
"Because Light and Shadow were never enemies."
He looked at Evans.
"They were created to work together."
Evans stared at Olivia.
"So the prophecy..."
Kael nodded.
"It wasn't a prophecy about destruction."
"It was a prophecy about balance."
---
The Seven Seals
Kael walked to the cave wall.
He drew seven symbols.
"There are seven ancient seals protecting the Void."
He pointed at the first.
"One has already been damaged."
Then the second.
"And the others are weakening."
Evans looked at him.
"Who is breaking them?"
Kael's expression hardened.
"The Shadow Hunters."
Leon clenched his fist.
"So they're helping the Void?"
"Some of them know exactly what they're doing."
Kael looked at Evans.
"But their leader does not."
"Darius?"
Kael nodded.
"He believes the Void can give humanity unlimited power."
Evans shook his head.
"He's going to destroy everything."
Kael looked at him.
"Unless you stop him."
Suddenly, the Shadow Wolf began growling.
Evans turned toward the cave entrance.
The Shadow Compass began spinning rapidly.
Kael's expression changed.
"We have to leave."
"Why?" Olivia asked.
Kael stood.
"Because one of the seals has just broken."
A tremendous explosion echoed from the mountains.
BOOOOOOM!
Snow fell from the cliffs.
Far away, a black pillar of energy rose into the sky.
Evans stared at it.
"The Void."
Kael nodded.
"And now..."
He looked toward the Forbidden Lands.
"...it knows you're coming."
The Shadow Wolf howled.
And somewhere beyond the mountains, a voice whispered:
"Come, Shadow Heir."
"Come, Lumina."
"Your journey ends where mine begins."