ROOOOOOOOOOOAR!!!
The sound shook the entire mountain.
Crystals shattered throughout Dragonheart Cave. Dust rained from the ceiling. The golden doorway stood fully open.
Inside the chamber—
Two enormous golden eyes slowly opened.Even the members of The Eclipse Rebellion instinctively stepped backward.
The pressure was overwhelming.
A gigantic dragon emerged from the light.
Its scales looked like ancient gold mixed with crystal. Massive chains were wrapped around parts of its body.Ancient runes glowed across its wings.
Auredrake The protector of the Second Key.
The moment Auredrake appeared— Eclipse Lunashade reacted. Its body became surrounded by silver-and-black energy. Auredrake stared directly at Lunashade. Not at Zeff. Not at Elior. Only Lunashade. As if it recognized it.
Auredrake spread its wings. Golden energy erupted throughout the chamber.
Ancient symbols appeared in the air.
Then a voice echoed inside everyone's mind.
"Those who seek the Key..."
"Prove your worth."
No Villains. No Heroes. The guardian did not care about good or evil. It did not care about Elior. It did not care about Zeff. It only cared about one thing. Worthiness.
Zeff Makes No Move To everyone's surprise— Zeff did not attack. He simply watched. As though he already knew this would happen.
Auredrake raised one claw. Three golden circles appeared before the challengers. One before Elior. One before Zeff. One before Lunashade.The guardian's voice echoed again.
"Heart."
"Purpose."
"Sacrifice."
"Show me your answer."
Infernyx Steps Forward Before Elior could react— Infernyx walked into the first circle. Its flames burned brightly.
Steadily.
Fearlessly.
Elior smiled.
"Of course. Infernyx had always been the first to move forward." Elior thoughts in his mind.
The golden circle lit up. Suddenly Infernyx found itself inside a vision.
It saw Elior.
Alone.
Defeated.
Broken.
A future where every battle had been lost. A future where nobody believed in him.
Yet even there— Elior continued walking forward. Infernyx smiled. And stepped beside him. The vision shattered.
The first circle glowed brilliantly.
Auredrake nodded.
"Heart accepted."
The second circle activated.
For a brief moment— Everyone saw countless fragments. Burning cities. Broken banners. Fallen people. And a younger Zeff standing alone. The vision vanished too quickly to understand.
Yet the circle accepted him.
"Purpose accepted."
The final circle activated.
Silence. Complete silence. Lunashade stood alone within endless darkness.
The Abyss. The place where it once nearly lost itself. Then— A single light appeared. The memories of Elior. The memories of Infernyx. The memories of friendship.
The memories of hope. For the first time Lunashade did not fear the darkness. It embraced it. And walked forward.
The third circle exploded with silver light.
"Sacrifice accepted."
Auredrake slowly lowered its head.
The guardian had reached its decision.
Deep within the guardian chamber— A crystal pedestal rose from the ground. Upon it rested a golden object. The Second Key. At the same moment— Both Elior and Zeff took a step forward. Their eyes locked. Neither willing to back down. The guardian's trial was over. Now came the real battle.
And Zeff smiled.
"At last. Let's see whose answer this world chooses."
TO BE CONTINUED...