Chapter 31 – Median
Attacks came from every direction.
Archon led from the center. Two members of the Magic Council moved in a circle, each casting round locking seals that merged in midair to form a massive cage.
Alvaron stood not far away, his gaze cold. Verruksha rose from Lumina's side, once again trying to influence her.
"Let them destroy your body. It's better than becoming Ilior's gate and vessel," Verruksha whispered.
Lumina held her breath. Her body could barely move, but her mind had not gone dark.
She looked around. Enver was still trapped outside the altar, and Raegar tried to enter, only to be repelled. In the distance, Amari stood weak and swaying.
Archon's first attack struck — a crimson light tearing through Lumina's shoulder, shattering her last protective seal. She fell, blood trickling from her temple.
Kavdrin followed up. A soul-freezing spell was released. Lumina's body went rigid. Verruksha dug deeper, trying to imprison her consciousness.
"This is the end," Alvaron said flatly. "Don't force yourself to rise again."
But suddenly, the magical field around the altar trembled.
Wind swirled. The chanting stopped.
All eyes turned.
Amari stepped forward.
Her pace was slow. No weapon in her hands. No staff raised. But each step she took left a faint line — light and darkness, side by side.
"Amari…" Archon whispered.
From behind, Serdyn called out. "Stop. Your body can't take it."
But Amari kept walking.
Verruksha turned, trembling. Her form began to shrink.
Alvaron stepped back two paces. For the first time, he hesitated.
"Why are you interfering?" Archon demanded.
Amari stopped between them and Lumina.
"Because you told me to kill her with my own hands," she answered.
Her left hand glowed gray — neither light nor shadow.
"I am the median," she continued.
The magical world fell silent.
"The balance between day and night. Between will and curse. I am not a mage. Not a spirit. And not a being who can be commanded by any of you."
Archon stepped forward. "You hid this from me?"
Amari looked at him. "I even hid it from myself."
She turned to Lumina. The girl trembled, her vision blurred. Blood dripped from her nose, but her eyes remained open.
"I am no longer Serdyn's wife," Amari said softly.
Serdyn lowered his head.
"And Lumina… is not his child. She… is mine and Maxcen's."
Lightning split the sky. The world held its breath.
Verruksha retreated, squealing in panic, her astral body flickering.
Alvaron clutched his chest. "You're lying."
"No," Amari replied. "I never knew until now. But Maxcen knew. And now I know… no one can touch me as long as I live in the human world. Because Maxcen protects me with the limit of fifty years."
Archon's face twisted in rage. "You… traitor!"
Amari stood still.
"No. I'm just someone who finally knows who I am."
The sky tore open. From the dark realm, Maxcen's eyes glowed. He sat as always, shrouded in mist, surrounded by thousands of wordless voices singing.
"So, you've realized it at last, Amari…" he whispered.
Verruksha screamed as her body began to burn.
Lumina lifted her head. She heard her mother's voice — this time, not with doubt, but with certainty.
"Rise, Lumina."
Lumina closed her eyes. Within her, the spirits of the past, Ilior's energy, and the Hellseer's legacy gathered… yet remained silent.
Until the gray light entered her breath.
Not a burning light — but a balancing one.
Her body rose slowly. Her wounds closed, though not entirely.
She still bled, but did not fall.
Archon cast another spell — but it shattered before touching her.
Kavdrin and Miredan hesitated. This was the second time they had seen the Median.
"This is no ordinary power," Miredan murmured.
No — it was the power of two who were never meant to unite — Maxcen and Amari.
Lumina opened her eyes. She looked at everyone surrounding her.
"I am not the Hellseer. Not a vessel. Not a key. Not a threat."
She raised her hand.
"I am the consequence of all your choices."
The sky split. From beyond the dimension, Ilior's voice began to emerge once more.
But this time… unlike before.
Ilior hesitated. He no longer fully recognized Lumina.
Amari smiled.
"I am the median. And she is the choice you never prepared for."
Maxcen chuckled in his realm. "Interesting."
Alvaron collapsed. Verruksha vanished.
Archon gritted his teeth. "It's not over."
"It's only just begun," Amari replied.