The mysterious woman standing on the spire had eyes that glowed exactly like Zoya's blue fire. Her face looked like a page from an ancient tale—calm yet profound.
"Who are you? And what is your connection to Zarkas?" Aryan asked, pointing his sword at her, even though his own body was battered and wounded.
The woman smiled, but there was no sweetness in it. "My name is Celeste. I am the true guardian of this realm. Zarkas was merely a pawn, Aryan. He was freed only so that the true power of the 'Noor-e-Azrak' could be awakened."
Zoya struggled to lift her head. "Does that mean... we did exactly what the true enemy wanted?"
Celeste opened the ancient book in her hand. Its pages flipped rapidly in the wind, emitting a golden glow. "When a rebel and a princess unite their souls, only then is 'The Great Magic' born. Together, you have shattered the ancient wall that for centuries protected Azrak from an old darkness."
Suddenly, the ground began to tremble. From behind the distant mountains came a sound as if a mountain asleep for centuries had awakened. The sky changed from violet to pitch black.
"What is that?" Aryan asked with a mix of fear and wonder.
"That is Azazel," Celeste said, looking toward the dark sky. "The true master of the void. Zarkas's death was merely a doorway for him. Now, only the Blue Fire of Azrak can stop him, but for that, you must go to a place from which no one has ever returned alive—The Cave of Lost Souls."
Zoya gripped Aryan's hand. Their bodies were still weak, but their resolve was as strong as stone. "If this is the only way to save Azrak, we will not step back."
Aryan looked into Zoya's eyes. "Together?"
"Forever," Zoya replied.
Celeste waved her hand, and a blue portal opened before them. "Go, before Azazel's shadow consumes the entire city. Remember, there, it won't be your power but your 'love' that will be your greatest weapon."
The two stepped into the portal. Behind them, the palace spire slowly vanished into the smoke.