As the first light of dawn painted the peaks of the Broken Fang Mountains crimson, the group emerged from the canyon and began making their way across the plateau. Finis was still weak; he was paying the price for succumbing to his own darkness in the night's battle. His steps were heavy, his breath shallow. Sirius walked beside him, occasionally rubbing his head against Finis's hand. The young lion's wound had healed, but he too was exhausted. Still, he did not leave Finis's side for a moment.
Torin led the way, moving with cautious steps despite the strength the awakening of the Secret of Iron had granted his body. The ancient axe in his hand flickered faintly from time to time, as if sensing danger. Liriel brought up the rear, constantly watching their backs. The notes of the Lament of Light still lingered on her lips; whenever she sensed danger, she was ready to murmur the song. Mira, though limping, retained her agility, scanning the horizon with her sharp eyes. Kael walked in his usual silence, but his gaze kept returning to Finis.
"How are you?" Kael asked, falling in beside Finis.
"Alive," Finis said with a weak smile. "But I feel... hollow. As if the light and darkness inside me have destroyed each other."
Kael nodded. "The Twilight Light demands balance. You lost that balance. Your anger caused the darkness to overwhelm the light. Now you must restore that balance. But it will take time."
"Do we have time?"
Kael looked toward the distant Obsidian Keep. With each passing hour, the fortress drew closer, grew larger, appeared more menacing. "I don't know. But if we rush, you could lose yourself again. This time, there may be no coming back."
By midday, the plateau gave way to a sparse forest. The trees were dark in color, their leaves faded, their branches brittle. It was as if they could draw no nourishment from the soil and were slowly dying. From the depths of the forest came the scent of rotting leaves and mold. Sirius growled uneasily.
"This forest is sick," Liriel said, touching the trunk of a tree. "The Shadow Legion's fortress poisons not only the mountains but the entire region. The earth, the water, the air... Everything has surrendered to the darkness."
Mira pulled something from behind a bush. It was the skeleton of a small, furry creature. The bones were coated in a black ichor that glistened. "This was a forest sprite. Normally, they are the guardians of the woods. But this one... it's been poisoned. Shadow energy consumed it from within."
Finis looked at the skeleton. An indescribable sorrow rose within him. This small creature had perhaps died trying to protect its forest. Just like Sirius's mother. Just like the people of Albaris. What the Shadow Legion did in the name of "balance" brought only death and destruction.
"We have to stop them," Finis said, his voice resolute. "But not by destroying them. By showing them true balance."
Torin grunted. "True balance? These creatures don't care about balance. They only want to destroy."
"No," Kael said. "In their own minds, they are right. Their methods are simply wrong. If we can show them that light is just as necessary as darkness, that the two can coexist... Perhaps they will change."
"And if they don't change?"
Kael touched the hilt of his sword. "Then we fight to stop them. But that should be a last resort."
As they neared the end of the forest, a wide river appeared before them. The waters, which should have been clear, flowed a dark gray, a black film floating on the surface. On the far bank rose the walls of the city of Tarannon. The walls must once have been built of white stone, but now they were covered in soot and grime and cracked in places. From the towers flew the black banners of the Shadow Legion.
"Tarannon," Kael said. "One of the human kingdoms. But as you can see, under the Legion's control."
The only bridge into the city lay at the narrowest point of the river. At the head of the bridge stood guards clad in the black armor of the Shadow Legion. Beside them, shadow hounds were chained and fitted with iron muzzles. The hounds began to snarl and strain at their chains the moment they saw the group.
"Halt," said one of the guards. Beneath his helmet, only his glowing red eyes were visible. "Entry to the city requires the Shadow Legion's authorization. Who are you, and where do you come from?"
Kael stepped forward, adopting an authoritative tone. "I am a patrol officer of the Shadow Legion's Eastern Sector. These individuals are my prisoners. I am taking them to Obsidian Keep."
The guard scrutinized the group. His eyes lingered particularly on Liriel's pointed ears, Mira's feline features, and Sirius. "An elf, a cat-folk, and a lion... Valuable prizes. But where are your documents?"
Kael produced a forged document from the leather pouch at his belt. Theron had arranged it back at the Tower of Light. The document bore the official seal of the Shadow Legion. The guard examined it, then nodded.
"Pass. But if you cause trouble in the city, you will face the wrath of Shadow Lord Malachar."
When they entered the city, Finis felt his stomach turn. Tarannon must once have been a beautiful place. Broad avenues, stone-paved squares, elegant fountains... But now, everything was shrouded in darkness. People walked the streets with bowed heads and fear in their eyes. Their faces held only hopelessness and exhaustion. Instead of playing, children sat against walls, staring blankly at their surroundings. Most shops were closed; those that remained open sold only basic necessities. And at every corner, soldiers of the Shadow Legion patrolled, keeping the populace under their heel.
In the very center of the city rose a massive black obelisk. Carved into it was the symbol of the Shadow Legion—a broken scale. Around the obelisk, chained humans, elves, dwarves, and captives of other races were forced to labor. They continuously channeled shadow energy into the obelisk. With each infusion, the obelisk pulsed, sending a dark wave over the city.
"That is a Shadow Pillar," Kael said quietly. "There is one in every city the Legion controls. It drains the people's hope, their will to resist, their light. It turns them into obedient slaves."
Finis looked at the pillar. The Twilight Light within him reacted to the pillar's darkness, flickering faintly. Finis clenched his teeth to suppress it. Using his power here was far too dangerous. They would be discovered immediately.
"How long will we stay here?" Torin asked.
"One night," Kael said. "We need to rest. Tomorrow, we take the mountain path. The road to Obsidian Keep passes through Tarannon. But we must be careful in the city. The Legion's agents are everywhere."
In the outskirts of the city, they found an inn called "The Broken Blade." The inn was as derelict as its name suggested, run-down and ramshackle. But at least it was a place the Legion soldiers did not frequent. The innkeeper was an old man, blind in one eye. He was suspicious at first but softened when Kael offered a few silver coins.
The rooms were simple—just a bed and a chest each. But it was enough for the group. Finis settled into a room with Sirius. The young lion immediately jumped onto the bed and curled up. Finis stroked his head, then took out his journal.
"Tarannon... Once a city of light, now in the grip of darkness. The people have lost their hope. Children have forgotten how to laugh. The Shadow Legion, in the name of 'balance,' has murdered this city. But this is not balance. This is oppression."
"Tomorrow, we will set out on the road to Obsidian Keep. There, I will face Shadow Lord Malachar. I will try to show him true balance. But if I fail... If I fail, I will fight. And this time, I will not succumb to my darkness. For Sirius, for my friends, for the innocents in this city... I will preserve the balance."
That night, Finis could not sleep. Through the window, he watched the pulsing darkness of the Shadow Pillar. The Twilight Light within him flickered, as if wanting to answer the pillar. Finis forcibly suppressed it. But he knew this suppression could not last forever. Sooner or later, he would have to use his light. And when that moment came, his true trial would begin.
Toward dawn, there was a heavy knock at the inn's door. The innkeeper opened it in terror. In strode an officer of the Shadow Legion, accompanied by four soldiers. The officer was a tall, gaunt figure, his face entirely concealed by a black mask. Only his cold, violet-glowing eyes were visible behind it.
"I was told a group of strangers is staying at this inn," the officer said. His voice was grating, like metal scraping metal. "I wish to see them."
The group came downstairs. Kael again produced the forged documents. But the officer did not even glance at them. His eyes were fixed on Finis.
"You," the officer said, pointing at Finis. "Remove the cloth from your head."
Finis hesitated. But at Kael's nod, he removed the cloth. His snow-white hair fell to his shoulders. His blue eyes gleamed in the dim light.
The officer froze for a moment. Then, a cold laugh rose from behind his mask. "The Seed of Albaris... So the legend is true. Shadow Lord Malachar has promised a great reward for you. Alive or dead."
The soldiers drew their swords. Torin gripped his axe. Mira unsheathed her blades. Liriel drew her bow. Sirius bared his teeth and snarled.
Finis gathered the Twilight Light in his palms. But this time, he strove to maintain its balance. The light burned like a calm flame of gold and silver.
"Let us go," Finis said. "No one needs to be hurt."
The officer laughed again. "You dare give me orders? I am the right hand of Shadow Lord Malachar. In this city, my word is law."
He raised his hand and gave his soldiers the order to attack.
But at that very moment, an arrow flew through the inn's window and lodged itself in the officer's shoulder. It was no ordinary arrow; its tip glowed with a golden light. The officer cried out in pain and fell to the ground.
A figure in a black cloak leaped through the window. When the figure threw back the hood, it revealed a young woman. Red-haired, green-eyed, her face dusted with freckles. In her hands was a bow blessed with light.
"I am Elara, of the Valdorian Resistance," the woman said. "And you are not alone in this city."
The soldiers attacked Elara. But she wielded her bow with mastery, each arrow finding its mark in a soldier. Torin swung his axe and brought another soldier down. Mira disarmed one soldier, then knocked him unconscious. Kael subdued the officer.
Within minutes, all the Legion soldiers lay on the ground.
Elara turned to Finis. "You are the Last Seed of Albaris. We have been waiting for you. I will guide you on the road to Obsidian Keep. But first, we must get out of this city. The Legion will send more soldiers soon."
Finis looked at Elara. There was hope in her eyes. In Tarannon, despite the darkness, there were still those who resisted. This gave Finis strength.
"Thank you," he said. "For helping us."
Elara smiled. "You are not alone, Bearer of Light. In this world, there are still those who believe in the light. And we will fight to the very end."
Under Elara's guidance, the group entered the city's sewers. Passing through dark, foul-smelling tunnels, they reached the outskirts of Tarannon, where the mountain path began.
As the sun rose, the steep, rocky road to Obsidian Keep stretched before them. At the road's end, a dark fortress awaited. But Finis now knew he was not alone. Not only his friends, but resistance fighters across this world stood with him.
He made one final note in his journal:
"In Tarannon, in the heart of darkness, I found a light. Elara and the Valdorian Resistance. So hope is never truly extinguished. Now I go to Obsidian Keep. There, I will face Shadow Lord Malachar. And I will show him true balance. Or I will fight to stop him. But whichever it may be, I know I am not alone."
And the journey continued.