The explosion of light and shadow was so violent it knocked Jace off his feet. The world rippled around him like water struck by a falling stone. As he scrambled to his knees, he could see the Phantom King standing amidst the chaos, untouched, his skeletal crown glinting in the firelight.“You’re not strong enough to win,” the Phantom King taunted, his voice resonating through the wreckage. “But don’t worry, Jace. That’s not your fault. You’ve simply been given a burden far beyond your abilities.”Jace struggled to his feet, his hands trembling as golden energy flickered weakly around his fingertips. His body ached, his mind raced, but he couldn’t give up. Not now, not when so much was at stake. “I don’t care how strong you are,” Jace growled, his voice raw but steady. “I’m not letting you destroy the Realm.”The Phantom King smiled, a cold, cruel expression that made Jace’s blood run cold. “Ah, the optimism of youth. Let’s see how long it lasts.”Before Jace could react, the King rai

Aila studied Jace, her masked face unreadable, but there was a subtle shift in her tone. “You’d better be,” she said, standing and offering him her hand. “Because this was nothing compared to what’s coming.”Jace took her hand and let her pull him to his feet. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest, but he forced himself to stand tall. The light around him dimmed, retreating back into the mark on his chest, but its presence lingered, a quiet hum of power beneath his skin.“What now?” he asked, glancing at the destroyed chamber around them. The runes on the walls were dark, the sanctuary clearly no longer a refuge. “Where do we go from here?”Aila tapped her staff against the ground, and a faint trail of silver light appeared, snaking its way toward a hidden doorway at the back of the chamber. “We keep moving,” she said. “There’s a place where you can train, where you can learn to control your power without the Phantom King breathing down your neck. But it’s not close, and the ro

Aila didn’t wait for him to recover. She grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the far end of the temple, where a spiral staircase descended into the depths of the earth. “We need to move,” she said sharply. “The Phantom King knows you’ve awakened the light. He’ll send more than shadows next time.”Jace pulled his arm free, his voice raw. “You think I don’t know that? I just...” He stopped, doubling over as another wave of pain surged through him. The mark on his chest pulsed, and for a brief moment, he felt the Phantom King’s laughter again, distant but chilling.Aila turned back, her voice softening just slightly. “The light is fighting back, but it’s not enough. That mark is still connected to him, Jace. If we don’t sever it soon, he’ll drag you into the Void.”“And how do we do that?” Jace snapped, straightening despite the pain. “Every time I use this power, I feel him clawing deeper into me. If I stop fighting, he wins. If I keep fighting, he wins. What’s the point?”Aila stepp

They walked in silence for what felt like an eternity, the tunnel twisting and turning until they reached a massive stone archway. At it's center was a swirling vortex of light and shadow, it's edges crackling with raw energy.Aila stepped forward, examining the portal. “It’s stable, for now. But the Void’s corruption is seeping in. We don’t have much time.”Jace hesitated, staring at the swirling vortex. “And what happens if it collapses while we’re inside?”Aila didn’t look at him. “Then we’ll cease to exist.”“Great,” Jace muttered. “No pressure.”Aila stepped into the portal without another word, disappearing into the light. Jace took a deep breath, his heart pounding. The shard in his palm pulsed again, almost reassuringly, and he forced himself to move forward.The moment he stepped into the vortex, the world dissolved into chaos.Light and darkness swirled around him, twisting and pulling at his body as though trying to tear him apart. He heard voices whispers in a language he

The Goliath’s roar was deafening, vibrating through the shattered chamber like a death knell. Its massive, twisted body surged forward, limbs of jagged black stone cutting through the air with terrifying speed. Jace barely had time to raise his sword before the creature’s claws came crashing down.Aila reacted faster. She thrust her staff forward, unleashing a blast of energy that collided with the Goliath’s claws, sending sparks flying. “Jace, move!” she barked, her voice sharp and commanding.Jace dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the creature’s crushing blow. He rolled to his feet, gripping his sword tightly, the shard in his palm pulsing faintly as if trying to ignite. The Goliath turned toward him, it's glowing red eyes locking onto the shard.“You’re what it wants,” Aila shouted, circling the beast, her staff crackling with power. “Keep it's attention. I’ll find it's weak spot.”“Great plan,” Jace muttered under his breath. “Just let me handle the indestructible monster.”The