Night had fallen over the castle.
Celestine watched the mountains through the window of the old throne room.
The black crack in the sky was still there.
Wider.
Darker.
Closer.
— We need to leave now — Celestine said.
Leonhardt placed his hand on his sword.
— I agree.
Seraphina, however, remained still.
— The ruins of the old palace are three days from here.
Celestine turned around.
— Three days?
— On horseback.
— Then we'll leave tonight.
Seris looked at her.
— You don't want to rest?
Celestine shook her head.
— Not after what we've seen.
Lyra approached.
The marked wolf walked beside her.
— He's restless too.
Celestine looked at the animal.
— Can he sense the Abyss?
— Perhaps.
The wolf raised its head.
A low growl escaped its throat.
Then it ran toward the door.
Lyra followed.
— Wait!
The animal stopped in the corridor.
Celestine felt the Void pulse.
There is something here.
She approached.
— Where?
The wolf began scratching at the floor.
Seris removed several stones.
Beneath them was a small wooden box.
Celestine opened it.
Inside was a letter.
The paper had yellowed with age.
Seraphina immediately recognized the symbol on the seal.
— It's from Aelira.
Celestine froze.
— Are you sure?
— I would recognize this symbol anywhere.
Celestine opened the letter.
The writing was ancient.
But when her fingers touched the paper, the words became clear.
«"If you have found this letter, it means my first attempt has failed."»
Celestine continued reading.
«"Do not trust the man who bears the golden mark. He does not serve the emperor. He serves what exists behind the throne."»
Leonhardt frowned.
— The golden mark...
Celestine remembered the man she had seen in the visions.
— The man who was with the First Inquisitor.
Seraphina nodded.
— Most likely.
Celestine continued.
«"If I die, do not seek revenge."»
She stopped.
Her eyes became sad.
«"My death will not be the end. My soul will continue on its path."»
Celestine took a deep breath.
Aelira knew.
She truly knew that one day she would return.
The letter continued:
«"Perhaps my next life will not remember me."»
Celestine tightened her grip on the paper.
«"Perhaps she will live a completely different life."»
A tear fell onto the letter.
«"But when the time comes, she will choose her own path."»
Celestine closed her eyes.
— You were talking about me.
Seraphina placed a hand on her shoulder.
— Yes.
Celestine put the letter away.
— Then I'll do exactly what you asked.
— What?
She looked at everyone.
— I won't live seeking revenge.
Her hand touched the hilt of the sword.
— I'll protect my future.
---
Shortly afterward, the group left the castle.
The road was dark.
The moon illuminated the path between the trees.
Celestine rode beside Leonhardt.
For hours, no one spoke.
Until he asked:
— Are you thinking about the letter?
— Yes.
— Did it change anything?
Celestine looked at the sky.
— It did.
— What?
— Before, I wanted to discover the past.
She took a deep breath.
— Now I want to protect the future.
Leonhardt smiled.
— That sounds more like you.
Celestine looked at him.
— You think so?
— Yes.
She smiled.
— Thank you.
---
The next morning, they reached the first mountains.
The landscape had changed completely.
The trees were smaller.
The wind was cold.
Ancient stones were scattered along the path.
Seraphina pointed toward the horizon.
— There.
Celestine saw it.
At the top of the mountain stood enormous ruins.
Destroyed towers.
Broken walls.
Headless statues.
It was the ancient palace of Aureon.
Celestine felt the Void react.
We are close.
— To what? — she asked in her thoughts.
The truth.
She tightened the reins.
— Let's go.
---
When they reached the ruins, they found something unexpected.
Hundreds of soldiers were scattered across the walls.
Seris immediately drew her sword.
— A trap.
Leonhardt looked at Celestine.
— How many?
— Many.
The Guardian remained calm.
— We don't need to fight them all.
Celestine looked at him.
— What do you suggest?
— Enter through the underground passage.
Seraphina pointed toward an ancient statue.
— There is a passage behind it.
The group dismounted.
They hid the horses and followed Seraphina.
Behind the statue was a stone door.
Seraphina placed her hand over a symbol.
The door opened.
A dark tunnel appeared.
Celestine lit a small torch.
— Let's go.
---
The tunnel descended deep underground.
The walls were covered with ancient paintings.
Celestine ran her hand over one of them.
It was a depiction of Aelira.
She was holding her sword.
Beside her stood Seraphina.
And another woman.
Elyndra.
Celestine was surprised.
— The three of them were together.
Seraphina nodded.
— Before everything went wrong.
Farther ahead was another painting.
Aelira stood before an enormous door.
Behind her was a black figure.
Celestine stopped.
— Is that the Abyss?
The Guardian examined the painting.
— No.
— Then what is it?
— We don't know.
Celestine remained silent.
Beneath the image was an inscription.
Seraphina translated it:
— "The one born from the Void must not open the door."
Celestine frowned.
— That doesn't make sense.
— Why?
— Because it sounds like they're talking about me.
The Void answered:
They are.
Celestine became serious.
— Then I must not open the door.
No.
— But why?
Because you do not know what lies behind it.
Celestine continued walking.
— Then I'll find out before I decide.
---
After almost an hour, they reached an enormous underground chamber.
At its center was a stone circle.
And inside it was Edran.
Chained.
Still alive.
Celestine ran toward him.
— Edran!
He slowly raised his head.
His eyes were tired.
— Celestine...
She approached him.
— Who did this?
Edran gave a weak smile.
— You shouldn't have come.
— Don't change the subject.
Celestine looked at the chains.
— Where is the First Inquisitor?
Edran answered:
— Above us.
— Is he in the palace?
— Yes.
— Then we'll get you out of here.
Edran grabbed her arm.
— No.
— Why?
— Because that's exactly what he wants.
Celestine froze.
— He wants me to come.
— Yes.
Edran looked at the silver sword.
— He needed you to bring Aelira's sword.
Celestine tightened her grip on the hilt.
— What for?
Edran closed his eyes.
— To open the door.
The ground began to tremble.
Edran's chains began to glow.
Seraphina shouted:
— The ritual has begun!
Celestine raised her sword.
— Everyone, get back!
An enormous mark appeared on the floor.
Leonhardt grabbed her hand.
— Celestine!
She looked at him.
— Stay behind me.
— No.
— Leonhardt...
— This time, I won't let you face this alone.
Celestine smiled.
— Then stay by my side.
He nodded.
A voice echoed through the chamber.
— Finally.
The First Inquisitor appeared at the top of the staircase.
Beside him stood the golden-eyed man.
Celestine raised her sword.
— You.
The man smiled.
— We finally meet again.
Celestine frowned.
— Again?
The man replied:
— You may not remember.
He slowly descended the stairs.
— But Aelira remembered me.
Celestine felt the Void tremble.
The man stopped before her.
— And Ayumi could never have imagined that she would one day return to this place.
Celestine's eyes widened.
He knew about Ayumi.
— How do you know that name?
The man smiled.
— Because I have followed your soul from the beginning.
Silence filled the chamber.
Celestine gripped the sword tightly.
— Then you know who I am.
— I do.
— And you know who Aelira was.
— I do.
— And you know who Ayumi Natsuki was.
The man answered:
— I do.
Celestine took a step forward.
— Then tell me.
The man spread his arms.
— You are the same soul they tried to destroy three times.
The Void exploded inside Celestine.
The stones in the chamber began to tremble.
The silver sword shone intensely.
Edran shouted:
— CELESTINE, DON'T LET HIM FINISH THE RITUAL!
She raised her sword.
— I won't.
The First Inquisitor smiled.
— Too late.
Behind Celestine, an enormous door began to emerge.
The same door she had seen inside her own soul.
And on the other side...
Something began to knock.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Celestine stared at the door.
Then she heard Aelira's voice inside her mind:
Celestine... don't open it.
She tightened her grip on the sword.
— I won't open it.
But the door began to open by itself.