The sky cracked with a roar.
Dark lightning raced across the endless void as the Star Breaker stepped forward. Pieces of shattered constellations floated around him, glowing with a strange black fire.
Aren drew his sword, and the Star Heart blazed with silver light.
"Stay behind me," Kael said, raising his shield.
Liora shook her head. "We fight together."
The Star Breaker looked at them with calm eyes.
"So much courage," he said. "Just like the guardians of old."
With a single movement of his hand, the ground beneath them exploded. Floating stones rose into the air, spinning like blades.
Kael charged first.
His sword struck the enemy's armor, but the blow was blocked with ease. The Star Breaker pushed him back with a wave of dark energy.
Liora lifted her staff and sent streams of blue fire across the battlefield. The flames wrapped around the enemy, but the darkness swallowed them.
Aren knew ordinary attacks would never be enough.
He raised the Star Heart toward the sky.
The seven star shards appeared around him, shining brighter than ever before.
The ancient guardian watched in silence.
"The Star Bearer is awakening," he whispered.
The shards joined together, forming a circle of light.
A beam shot from the heavens and covered Aren in silver flames. Ancient symbols appeared across his sword, and he felt the voices of the lost guardians guiding him.
The Star Breaker's expression changed for the first time.
"So... the stars still remember."
Aren rushed forward.
Their swords collided.
The sound echoed across the floating islands like thunder.
Light and darkness crashed together again and again. Every strike sent waves through the sky.
Far away, the black palace began to tremble.
The ancient guardian suddenly realized the truth.
"The palace is connected to his power!" he shouted. "If it falls, the darkness will weaken!"
Kael and Liora ran toward the palace while Aren held the Star Breaker back.
The enemy smiled.
"You are too late."
The gates of the black palace slowly opened.
From the shadows marched hundreds of silent warriors made of broken stars.
An army that had slept for a thousand years.
Kael stopped in disbelief.
Liora tightened her grip on her staff.
Aren looked at the endless army and knew this was only the beginning.
Then, from the distant heavens, bright lights appeared.
Dozens of silver ships sailed through the stars, their banners carrying the ancient symbol of Elyndor.
The old guardian smiled.
"They came..."
"Who?" Aren asked.
The guardian lifted his sword toward the sky.
"The last Star Guardians."
The silver ships descended toward the battlefield as hope returned to the kingdom beyond the stars.
But hidden inside the black palace, a mysterious figure opened glowing golden eyes and whispered,
"The Star Crown has finally returned."
To be continued part-33...