Falling had become impossible.
Kael had expected to feel wind against his face, the weightlessness of his body, perhaps the sensation of passing through some dimensional barrier. Instead, there was nothing. He could not feel his body at all. There was no up or down, no heat or cold, no sound and no light. He couldn't even tell whether his eyes were open.
The only thing he could feel was Elara's hand.
Her fingers were wrapped tightly around his.
"Kael."
Her voice was faint.
"I'm here."
He tried to answer, but no sound came from his throat.
He squeezed her hand.
She understood.
For several moments they remained like that, falling through something that wasn't space. Kael didn't know how long it lasted. A second could have passed. A thousand years could have passed. Time had no meaning here.
Then something changed.
A small light appeared beneath them.
At first it looked like a distant star.
Then another appeared.
Then another.
Soon thousands of lights surrounded them.
Kael stared.
They weren't stars.
They were memories.
Each light contained a different scene.
A city burning.
A child laughing.
A king dying.
A woman waiting beside a tree.
A world being born.
A world ending.
A version of Kael walking through an unfamiliar forest.
Another version standing before a throne.
Another version holding Elara.
Another version killing her.
Another version dying alone.
The lights moved around them like an endless river.
Elara looked at them.
"These are all the choices."
Kael nodded.
"Possibilities."
"No."
She shook her head.
"Not possibilities."
Kael looked at her.
"Then what?"
"Choices that were made."
He frowned.
"By whom?"
"By us."
A light passed directly through Kael.
For an instant, he saw himself standing in a city made entirely of crystal.
Another light passed through Elara.
She saw herself sitting beside an old man beneath a dead tree.
Neither of them spoke.
The lights continued moving.
Kael finally asked, "Where are we?"
Elara looked ahead.
"I don't know."
"You've been here before."
"No."
"But you recognized it."
"I recognize the feeling."
Kael looked toward the darkness.
"What feeling?"
"Being forgotten."
Her voice was quiet.
Kael tightened his grip on her hand.
"You're not forgotten."
Elara smiled.
"Not anymore."
A large light appeared ahead.
Unlike the others, it didn't move.
It remained perfectly still.
Kael and Elara slowly drifted toward it.
As they approached, Kael saw a massive city.
It looked familiar.
He had never seen it in his memories, but something inside him recognized it.
Tall towers reached into a golden sky.
Millions of people walked through the streets.
Magic floated everywhere.
At the center stood an enormous palace.
Kael stared.
"This is the first empire."
Elara nodded.
"The first civilization after the original world."
"The one that became the foundation for the modern kingdoms?"
"Yes."
Kael looked at the people.
"They're alive."
"They were."
The scene began changing.
The city aged.
Buildings became larger.
Magic became more advanced.
The people became more numerous.
Then something happened.
A woman appeared in the center of the city.
She wore a crown.
Kael stared at her.
He recognized the face.
It was Lyra.
But she wasn't the Lyra he knew.
She looked older.
Regal.
Her silver-blue hair was tied behind her head, and an ornate imperial cloak covered her shoulders.
She stood before thousands of people.
Kael's eyes widened.
"Lyra."
Elara looked at him.
"Your companion?"
"Yes."
"She's important."
Kael watched the memory.
Lyra raised one hand.
A gigantic magic formation appeared above the city.
The people cheered.
Kael frowned.
"What is she doing?"
"Building the imperial barrier."
"Why?"
"To protect the empire."
The scene changed.
Monsters appeared beyond the walls.
Demons.
Beasts.
Creatures born from corrupted magic.
The empire fought them.
Lyra stood at the front.
Her magic swept across the battlefield.
She wasn't merely a talented magician.
She was terrifying.
Thousands of spells appeared around her.
Flames.
Ice.
Lightning.
Gravity.
Space.
She controlled them simultaneously.
Kael stared.
"I knew she was powerful."
Elara smiled.
"You didn't know how powerful."
The memory continued.
Lyra fought for three days.
She never slept.
Never rested.
When the final enemy fell, the people surrounded her.
Someone placed the imperial crown on her head.
The princess had become the Empress.
Kael's expression softened.
"So she was always destined for the throne."
Elara shook her head.
"No."
"What?"
"She chose it."
Kael looked at her.
"There's a difference."
Before he could answer, the memory changed.
Lyra was sitting alone inside the imperial palace.
The crown rested on the table.
Her expression was exhausted.
A young man stood before her.
"Your Majesty."
Lyra looked at him.
"Leave me."
"There is something you need to know."
"What?"
"The World Tree has responded."
Lyra's expression changed.
"To whom?"
The man hesitated.
"To the Connector."
Lyra stood immediately.
"Where?"
The scene ended.
Kael stared at the fading memory.
"She knew about the Connectors."
"Of course."
"Before I met her?"
"Long before."
Kael looked at Elara.
"Why didn't she tell me?"
"Because she didn't remember."
Kael frowned.
"Then why show me this?"
Elara looked toward the darkness.
"Because you're about to."
A strange vibration passed through the void.
The lights surrounding them began moving faster.
Kael felt something pulling him forward.
Elara suddenly released his hand.
Kael immediately grabbed her wrist.
"What are you doing?"
"I have to go."
"No."
"You can't come with me."
"Why?"
"Because this place separates people."
Kael tightened his grip.
"Then it can try."
Elara looked at him.
For a moment, she smiled.
Then something appeared behind her.
A massive black hand emerged from the darkness.
Kael swung his sword.
The blade struck the hand.
A shockwave spread through the void.
Elara was pulled backward.
"Kael!"
He grabbed her again.
The black hand tightened around her body.
Kael's eyes turned cold.
"Let her go."
The darkness didn't answer.
Kael's mark ignited.
The ninth branch burned.
The tenth branch followed.
Then the eleventh light appeared on his palm.
The black hand recoiled.
Kael pulled Elara free.
They landed together on a floating fragment of stone.
Elara looked at him in surprise.
"You used the eleventh light."
Kael looked at his hand.
"I didn't know I could."
"You shouldn't be able to."
"Apparently I can."
She smiled.
"You're still reckless."
"You noticed."
"How could I not?"
The black darkness around them began taking shape.
A gigantic creature emerged.
It had no face.
Its body was made of countless memories.
Every time it moved, Kael saw a different world inside it.
Aster's voice echoed.
"This is the Guardian."
Kael looked around.
"Aster?"
No answer.
Elara stared at the creature.
"The Guardian of the End."
Kael raised his sword.
"Then we fight."
"No."
Elara stopped him.
"You can't defeat it."
"Why?"
"Because it doesn't have a body."
Kael looked at the creature.
"Everything has a weakness."
"Not this."
"Then I'll make one."
The creature attacked.
A massive arm swept across the void.
Kael pushed Elara away.
He raised his sword.
The impact launched him backward.
He flew through several floating memories before crashing onto a stone platform.
Pain spread through his chest.
He stood immediately.
The creature attacked again.
Kael jumped.
The arm passed beneath him.
He landed on it.
The surface shifted constantly.
Memories moved beneath his feet.
Kael ran toward the creature's center.
"Kael!"
Elara shouted.
He ignored her.
The creature twisted.
A thousand faces appeared across its body.
Some were crying.
Some were screaming.
Some were laughing.
Kael saw his own face among them.
Then Elara's.
He stopped.
The creature spoke.
Not with one voice.
With thousands.
"You cannot kill what you created."
Kael's expression changed.
"I didn't create you."
"You created the End."
"I created the cycle."
"The cycle created us."
The creature's arm struck.
Kael barely blocked.
His sword cracked.
He was thrown across the platform.
Elara ran toward him.
"Kael!"
He rolled aside as another attack destroyed the stone beneath him.
Elara raised her hand.
A magic circle appeared.
The spell exploded against the creature.
For the first time, it moved backward.
Kael looked at her.
"That was powerful."
She smiled.
"I learned from the best."
"Who?"
"You."
Kael blinked.
"Me?"
"Not you."
She laughed softly.
"Elion."
The creature attacked again.
This time Elara stepped in front of Kael.
Her magic formed a massive barrier.
The attack struck.
The barrier shattered.
Elara was thrown backward.
Kael caught her.
"Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine."
"You're bleeding."
She looked at her arm.
"It's nothing."
Kael's expression hardened.
The eleventh light on his palm began glowing brighter.
The creature stopped.
Its countless faces turned toward him.
"Interesting."
Kael raised his sword.
"What?"
"You have remembered enough."
"Enough for what?"
The creature's body began collapsing inward.
All the memories surrounding them were pulled toward its center.
The void began shrinking.
Kael looked around.
"What's happening?"
Elara's expression became serious.
"The Guardian is opening the End."
"Then we're close."
"Too close."
The creature disappeared.
In its place stood a door.
It was enormous.
Black.
There was no handle.
No inscription.
Kael approached it.
Elara grabbed his arm.
"Wait."
He looked at her.
"What?"
"This is the final door."
"Then we open it."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because once it opens..."
She hesitated.
"...you can't return to who you were."
Kael looked at her.
"I don't want to return."
"Not even if you could?"
"No."
"Why?"
Kael looked toward the memories floating around them.
"I spent too long trying to become someone I wasn't."
He looked at Elara.
"I'm Kael."
She smiled.
"Good."
Kael placed his hand on the door.
It didn't open.
He pushed harder.
Nothing.
He looked at Elara.
"Help me."
She placed her hand beside his.
Together, they pushed.
The door opened.
A blinding light emerged.
Kael shielded his eyes.
When the light faded, he found himself standing in a vast chamber.
There was no floor.
No ceiling.
Only endless white.
At the center stood a throne.
A man sat upon it.
Kael recognized him immediately.
Aster.
But this version of Aster was different.
He wore black armor.
A crown rested on his head.
And behind him stood eleven massive branches.
Kael stared.
"You."
Aster looked at him.
"Welcome."
Kael stepped forward.
"Where are we?"
"The place before the beginning."
"Why bring me here?"
"I didn't."
Kael frowned.
"Then who did?"
Aster looked toward Elara.
She stood beside Kael.
Aster's expression became complicated.
"She did."
Kael turned toward Elara.
"What?"
Elara looked at him.
"I lied to you."
Kael's expression hardened.
"About what?"
"About finding me."
"What do you mean?"
"I wasn't waiting at the end of the road."
"Then why did I hear your voice?"
"Because I called you."
"Why?"
Elara took a step toward him.
"Because the cycle is dying."
Kael looked at Aster.
He remained silent.
Elara continued.
"And when it ends..."
She looked toward the eleven branches.
"...something else will take its place."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"What?"
Aster finally answered.
"Reality."
Kael didn't understand.
Aster stood from his throne.
"The cycle has protected existence from something outside it."
"The worlds."
"The dimensions."
"The Void."
"Everything you've known."
"They exist inside the cycle."
Kael stared.
"And outside?"
Aster looked toward the white emptiness.
"Nothing."
Kael waited.
Aster's expression became grim.
"Absolute nothing."
Kael frowned.
"Then why should we fear it?"
"Because nothing is not empty."
Aster pointed toward the darkness beyond the white chamber.
"It is hungry."
A deep vibration passed through the chamber.
The eleven branches behind Aster began trembling.
Elara looked afraid.
Kael noticed.
"What is it?"
Aster looked at him.
"The thing that existed before creation."
Kael's heart sank.
"You said the first world was the beginning."
"No."
"You said the cycle was the beginning."
"No."
"Then what was before it?"
Aster's eyes became cold.
"The Hunger."
The chamber shook.
A crack appeared across the white floor.
Kael raised his sword.
"Can it be defeated?"
Aster shook his head.
"No."
"Then what do we do?"
Aster looked toward Elara.
"That is why she called you."
Kael turned.
Elara's eyes were filled with tears.
"Kael..."
He walked toward her.
"What do you need me to do?"
She didn't answer.
"What do you need?"
Her voice finally came.
"Kill me."
Kael froze.
The words echoed through the endless white chamber.
Aster looked away.
Elara stepped closer.
"If you kill me here..."
"Don't."
"...the cycle will collapse."
"Elara."
"The Hunger will be sealed."
"No."
"And the worlds will survive."
Kael shook his head.
"You told me I shouldn't choose for you."
"I know."
"Then why are you asking me to choose?"
"Because this time..."
She placed her hand against his chest.
"...I'm choosing."
Kael stared at her.
"No."
Elara smiled sadly.
"You promised to find me."
"I did."
"You did."
"And now you're here."
"Yes."
"Then let me stay."
Elara's eyes filled with tears.
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Because I am the lock."
Kael's breathing stopped.
Elara continued.
"I always was."
"The first world."
"The cycle."
"The memories."
"Everything."
"I was created to hold the door shut."
Kael shook his head.
"Then we'll find another way."
"There isn't one."
"There has to be."
Aster spoke quietly.
"There isn't."
Kael looked at him.
"Shut up."
Aster didn't respond.
Kael looked back at Elara.
"I'll find another way."
She smiled.
"You always say that."
"And I usually do."
"Not this time."
Kael's sword began trembling in his hand.
The eleven branches behind Aster cracked.
Something pressed against the other side of reality.
The Hunger was waking.
Elara stepped closer.
"Kael."
He looked at her.
"Look at me."
He did.
Her expression was calm.
No fear.
No regret.
Only sadness.
"You don't have to save me."
Kael's eyes filled with tears.
"I know."
"You just have to let me go."
He closed his eyes.
For a long time, he said nothing.
Then he opened them.
"No."
Elara froze.
Kael lowered his sword.
"I won't kill you."
Aster's expression changed.
"Then you condemn the worlds."
Kael looked at him.
"Maybe."
"Kael!"
"But I'm done accepting choices someone else gives me."
The eleventh light exploded.
The entire chamber shook.
Kael raised his hand.
The mark on his palm opened.
Not like a wound.
Like a door.
The ninth branch.
The tenth.
The eleventh.
Then a twelfth point appeared.
Aster's face changed completely.
"Impossible."
Elara stared.
"Kael..."
Kael looked at the new light.
He didn't understand it.
But he knew one thing.
The cycle had eleven branches.
The Hunger existed outside it.
And now...
Something new had appeared.
A twelfth light.
A possibility that had never existed before.
Kael smiled.
"Then I'll create another choice."
The white chamber shattered.
And somewhere beyond reality...
Something woke up.