The light from the shattered Crystal Heart spread across the endless ocean of stars.
Aren could no longer feel the ground beneath his feet. He stood in a place where time seemed to have stopped, surrounded by floating fragments of ancient worlds.
Then, the ancient presence spoke.
"Who seeks the light of the First Star?"
Its voice was calm, yet powerful enough to shake the heavens.
Aren stepped forward.
"I do. Not for power... but to save my kingdom."
A giant star of pure silver fire slowly appeared before him. It was older than the skies, older than the kingdoms of men.
The First Star had awakened.
Back in the Star Temple, Liora and Kael watched as the Shadow King knelt before the brilliant light.
For the first time, fear filled his eyes.
Liora frowned.
"Why is he afraid?"
An old memory suddenly returned to the Shadow King.
Long ago, he had once been a guardian of the stars. He had sworn to protect their light, but greed had changed his heart. He wanted the power of the First Star for himself, and because of that betrayal, he was cast into the darkness.
"You cannot choose him," the Shadow King shouted. "The light belongs to me!"
The First Star remained silent.
Aren felt a warm energy surround him.
Images filled his mind—the birth of Elyndor, the fall of the ancient stars, and a hidden truth.
The broken stars had never fallen by accident.
Someone had destroyed them.
Aren opened his eyes.
"There's another enemy."
The First Star answered.
"The Devourer of Skies has returned."
At that moment, the heavens cracked open.
A massive shadow moved across the stars, larger than mountains, with glowing red eyes that burned through the darkness.
Even the Shadow King stepped back.
"No... it cannot be."
The creature let out a roar that echoed across worlds.
The stars around it faded into darkness.
Kael raised his sword.
"What is that thing?"
Aren looked at the ancient beast and felt the power of the First Star flowing into him.
"The enemy that ended the Age of Stars."
The First Star's voice echoed one last time.
"Only the Starborn and the fallen guardian can stand against the Devourer together."
Aren slowly turned toward the Shadow King.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then the Shadow King lowered his weapon.
"If our world is to survive," he said quietly, "we fight as one."
Far above them, the Devourer of Skies spread its endless wings.
The final battle for the fate of the stars had begun.
To be continued in Part 26...