The crimson eyes disappeared, but their presence remained.
A cold wind swept across the floating islands, carrying whispers from the darkness. Aren, Liora, and Kael stood beside the ancient guardian, staring toward the black palace.
"Who is he?" Aren asked.
The old warrior lowered his sword.
"His true name has been forgotten," he said. "We called him The Star Breaker."
Liora frowned. "The one who destroyed the stars?"
The guardian nodded.
"He was once the greatest protector of the heavens. But he believed that no one should control the power of the stars. To free the world, he shattered them."
Kael looked at the broken crown on the guardian's head.
"And you tried to stop him."
"I did."
The old warrior's voice was heavy with regret.
"But I failed. My friends fell, the stars were scattered, and the kingdom of Elyndor was left to suffer."
Aren touched the Star Heart around his neck.
"Why am I connected to all of this?"
The guardian looked into Aren's eyes.
"Because the Star Heart chose you."
He reached into his armor and pulled out a small crystal. Inside it glowed a tiny blue flame.
"This is the Flame of Memory. It will show you the truth."
As Aren held the crystal, the world around him vanished.
He saw an ancient battlefield beneath a sky full of stars.
Thousands of guardians fought against a single warrior covered in black armor.
The warrior raised his hand, and the stars began to crack.
Then Aren saw something impossible.
Standing beside the Star Breaker was a young guardian with silver eyes.
It was the old guardian.
"You fought with him..." Aren whispered.
The vision faded.
The old warrior closed his eyes.
"Yes. Long ago, he was my brother."
Silence filled the air.
Liora could hardly speak.
"Your own brother destroyed the stars?"
"He believed the universe needed to be reborn. I believed it needed to be protected. We chose different paths."
Suddenly, the black palace shook.
A wave of dark energy spread across the floating islands.
The deep voice echoed once more.
"Brother... you have hidden the truth long enough."
A shadow rose into the sky, larger than any dragon.
The Star Breaker stepped out of the darkness, his black armor covered with pieces of shattered stars.
His eyes locked onto Aren.
"You carry the Star Heart," he said calmly.
"Give it to me, and your world will be spared."
Aren tightened his grip.
"No."
The Star Breaker smiled.
"Then I will take it."
He lifted his hand.
The sky split apart.
And the first battle beyond the stars began.
To be continued part-32...