T1he Vanguard's unity shattered like glass.
One moment, they were a wall of defiance holding back the serpent; the next, steel met steel as their own ranks turned on each other.
"Hold formation!" the elder sage roared, his nebula-hair flaring as he cast a barrier of stars. But a spear of living fire struck him in the chest, thrown by one of his own. His eyes widened in disbelief as he fell, starlight leaking from his wound.
Lyra spun, molten blade clashing against a traitorous Vanguard's weapon. "They're killing each other!"
Kaelen's flames surged as he parried another blow aimed at his back. "Why?! What's happening to them?"
A figure in black armor emerged from the shadows near the pillar, moving with impossible speed. Unlike the others, their spiral mark glowed blood-red. They cut down three loyal Vanguard in a single motion and turned to Kaelen.
"You are the spark," the figure said, voice deep and metallic. "The one they've tried to keep from us. You belong to it."
The serpent struck at the black-armored figure—but they caught its massive jaw with one hand, twisting, holding it. The cavern shook with the beast's roar, but it couldn't break free.
"What are you?!" Kaelen demanded.
The figure's helm tilted, and a dark laugh echoed inside it. "I am the first who swore to protect this prison. And the first who learned the prison itself is the lie."
Behind them, the chained voice purred in delight.
"Break the last chain, my herald. Let them see."
The black-armored figure raised their sword—a blade of pure void—and pointed it at Kaelen. "Take your rightful place beside me… or die here."
All around, the cavern descended into slaughter. Loyal Vanguard tried desperately to hold the serpent at bay. Traitors carved through them, seeking Kaelen. Lyra pulled him toward the barrier of stars the elder sage had left behind, her voice frantic.
"Kaelen, we can't win this! We need to get out—now!"
He hesitated, torn between flight and the magnetic pull of the chained presence. It whispered again, this time not to his mind, but his soul.
"Choose, child of fire. Burn the lie… or be buried beneath it."
The last chain trembled.