GUARDIAN OF THE FIFTH REALM

CHAPTER 2

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 raised his hand, and the grotesque dragon-beast roared in response. Its glowing eyes locked onto Jace, and it lunged, its massive claws slicing through the air. Jace barely had time to dive out of the way before the ground where he had stood was torn apart.

He hit the ground hard, rolling to avoid another swipe. His vision blurred, but through the haze, he saw something, a figure in the distance, standing atop a jagged outcrop of rock. It was a woman, cloaked in silver, her face obscured by a mask. In her hand, she held a staff that shimmered with a strange, otherworldly light.

“Get up, Guardian!” she shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. “You’re not alone!”

Jace didn’t have time to question who she was or why she was there. The dragon-beast was already turning for another attack, and the Phantom King was watching with that same infuriating smirk. Summoning every ounce of strength he had, Jace pushed himself to his feet and raised his hand.

The golden mark on his chest flared to life again, and this time, it wasn’t just a flicker. A surge of raw energy erupted from him, forming a barrier of light just as the dragon’s claws came crashing down. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air, but the barrier held barely.

The woman moved quickly, leaping down from the rock and landing with impossible grace. She twirled her staff, and a burst of silver energy shot toward the dragon, striking it square in the chest. The beast reeled, roaring in pain, but it wasn’t defeated.

“Who are you?” Jace shouted as she landed beside him.

“Your only chance of surviving this mess,” she snapped. “Focus on the King, I’ll handle his pet!”

Jace didn’t have time to argue. The Phantom King was already moving, his skeletal hand reaching out as dark tendrils of shadow writhed toward Jace. Instinct took over, and Jace countered with a blast of golden light. The two forces collided in midair, sending sparks of energy flying in all directions.

“You’re stronger than I expected,” the Phantom King mused, his voice almost amused. “But strength won’t save you.”

Jace gritted his teeth, pouring more energy into the attack. “Maybe not,” he shot back, “but I’m still going to stop you!”

The Phantom King’s expression darkened, and for the first time, Jace saw a flicker of anger in his eyes. The tendrils of shadow surged forward, overwhelming Jace’s light and slamming into him with the force of a hurricane. He was thrown backward, crashing into the rubble of a collapsed tower.

Pain shot through his body, but before he could recover, the King was standing over him, his skeletal hand reaching down to grab him. “You don’t understand, boy,” the Phantom King hissed. “You’re not fighting to save the Realm. You’re fighting to survive it.”

Jace raised his hand weakly, but the energy wouldn’t come. He was too drained, too broken. The Phantom King’s grip closed around his throat, lifting him off the ground. “This Realm is already mine,” the King said, his voice cold and final. “You were doomed the moment you were chosen.”

“No!” The woman’s voice rang out, and a flash of silver light struck the King, forcing him to drop Jace. She landed beside him, her staff glowing with power. “Get up, Guardian,” she said, her voice fierce. “This fight isn’t over.”

Jace struggled to his feet, his vision swimming. “Who… who are you?” he gasped.

She glanced at him, her mask glinting in the light. “My name is Aila,” she said. “And if we don’t leave now, there won’t be anything left of this Realm to save.”

Before Jace could respond, she grabbed his arm and slammed the butt of her staff into the ground. A portal of swirling silver light opened before them, and Aila pulled him through just as the dragon-beast roared and the Phantom King’s shadows surged toward them.

They tumbled through the portal, landing hard on a stone floor. Jace groaned, pushing himself up and looking around. They were in some kind of underground chamber, the walls lined with glowing runes and ancient carvings.

“What… what is this place?” he asked, still catching his breath.

Aila didn’t answer immediately. She was already moving, her staff glowing as she traced the runes on the walls. “A sanctuary,” she said finally. “But it won’t stay that way for long. The King will find us. He always does.”

Jace leaned against the wall, his head spinning. “Why me?” he muttered. “Why does it have to be me?”

Aila turned to him, her expression unreadable behind her mask. “Because you’re the Guardian,” she said. “And whether you like it or not, this Realm’s fate is tied to yours. If you fall, we all fall.”

Jace closed his eyes, the weight of her words crashing down on him. He had no idea how to be a Guardian, no idea how to fight a monster like the Phantom King. But one thing was clear, there was no turning back now.

And the darkness was closing in fast.