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Chapter 7 — Earthheart Nexus
The world they emerged into was nothing like Eldoria.
Where Eldoria had been a realm of crystalline spires and star-forged beauty, this place was raw creation — lush beasts of ancient power slumbering beneath mountains, forests breathing like living organisms, rivers glowing with heartlight.
This was TERRAVEN, Tristan's realm.
The birthplace of Earth magic.
The very air felt like rich soil and thunder — vibrant and fierce.
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The Prince Returns Home
The moment Tristan's boots touched the ground, the earth reacted — vines coiled, stones shivered, roots pulsed with recognition.
Even in his weakened state, the realm remembered him.
Samuel steadied Tristan's shoulder.
"You sure you can walk?"
Tristan rolled his eyes, breath thin.
"If I can't walk in my own kingdom… bury me."
Samuel smirked.
"Not happening."
Zephira and Nysara scanned the perimeter as Ignara lit a path, her flames soft and controlled for once.
Daniel stumbled, still pale from resisting the curse.
"Why does it feel like the ground is… listening?"
Tristan answered with a wince:
"Because it is."
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The Nexus Lies Beneath
A voice echoed across the jungle-titanic clearing:
"You dare return, exile?"
Spears of living bark rose from the earth, aimed at their throats.
Dozens of armored warriors emerged — roots twisting into blades, bark into shields.
Their leader — tall, carved from muscle and ironwill — stepped forward.
Elias.
Long dreadlocks woven with vines.
Eyes emerald like deep forest wrath.
A mantle of shifting leaves.
His gaze burned straight through Tristan.
"You promised never to set foot here again."
Samuel instantly stepped between them — void humming violently.
"Back. Away."
Elias ignored him completely — jaw clenched, voice trembling:
"You should have died with the last betrayal."
Tristan's silence was louder than any denial.
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A Fractured Past
Nysara whispered to Samuel:
"He was Tristan's closest friend… before the banishment."
Samuel's brow furrowed.
"What did Tristan do?"
A heavy pause.
Nysara lowered her voice:
"He… chose Samuel's war over his own king."
Samuel turned — stunned — Tristan refusing to meet his eyes.
Daniel mouthed silently:
"Well damn."
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The Curse Revealed
Suddenly — Tristan's legs buckled.
The curse pulsed through him like a venomous starburst.
Roots recoiled, warriors stepped back, fear slicing through their formation.
Elias froze.
"…you're dying."
Samuel knelt — fury blazing.
"Femi did this."
Elias' jaw ticked.
"Then your prince comes as a weapon of our enemy."
"And I," Samuel whispered darkly, "am the one keeping him alive."
The void flared — shadows reaching.
Kaelen appeared beside Samuel, shielding Tristan.
"He needs the Earthheart Nexus. Immediately."
Elias stared — war in his eyes — love and betrayal colliding.
He exhaled, voice cracking:
"Take him."
Warriors lowered their weapons.
The jungle parted — opening a colossal path of roots that spiraled downward into glowing earth.
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Beneath the World
The descent was silent — except for Tristan's strained breaths.
Daniel walked beside him, clutching his hand when the curse surged.
"You better survive," Daniel whispered.
"I'm almost done training to beat you at arm wrestling."
Tristan's lips twitched.
"We… both know… you'll lose."
Daniel choked on a laugh.
Samuel kept close — every second glancing at Elias, suspicion simmering.
Velyd walked at the rear — eyes constantly scanning the air behind them.
"Something is watching," she murmured.
Samuel's voice sharpened.
"Is it Femi?"
"No… worse."
The ground rumbled.
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The Heart of Terra
They reached a massive cavern — a living cathedral.
Roots lined the walls like arteries.
A heart of pure stone pulsed at the center — the Nexus — radiating life.
Vines instantly reached for Tristan — almost tender — lifting him toward the heartstone throne.
Elias stepped forward, voice heavy.
"The Nexus will either purge the curse…
or kill him where he lies."
Samuel moved to follow — Elias blocked him.
"Only Terra-born can enter the bond."
Samuel's voice went lethal.
"If he dies—"
Elias' reply was quiet, heartbreak bleeding through:
"Then he dies in his home… surrounded by those who still love him."
Samuel froze — gut twisting.
Elias placed a gentle hand over Tristan's chest.
"You were always my star, Tristan…"
Samuel's fists clenched.
Tristan forced a breath — eyes opening just enough to find Samuel's face across the chamber.
"You promised… you wouldn't let me fall."
Samuel nodded once — a vow etched in voidlight.
"I keep my promises."
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The Beginnings of War
As Tristan was lifted into the Nexus light, Zephira's voice cracked:
"The star-network… another collapse!"
Kaelen opened a shimmering map — realms flickering red.
"Corruption spreads across space. The lords demand answers. They blame Samuel."
Daniel clenched his jaw.
"Femi's propaganda is working."
A roar echoed from above — the sound of reality tearing open like canvas.
Mor'Kai.
He had followed them.
Velyd cursed, blades of illusion forming in her hands.
"He wants Tristan dead before the Nexus heals him!"
Samuel turned toward the rising threat — his eyes burning, voice a blade of vengeance.
"He'll die screaming before he touches him."
Nysara placed her hand on Samuel's shoulder.
"We fight."
Ignara's flames surged.
"We burn."
Daniel cracked his knuckles — unstable power sparking wildly.
"We protect."
Kaelen summoned light-forged wings.
"We ascend."
And Samuel —
Void roared awake.
"We kill Femi's hope."
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Cliffhanger — The Fight for Tristan Begins
Mor'Kai's army erupted into the cavern —
screeching, monstrous.
Tristan screamed as the Nexus power collided with the curse — light and dark tearing through his body.
Samuel unleashed a wave of void — terrible and beautiful.
The chamber shook.
The Nexus pulsed.
The curse fought back.
And Tristan's life hung on a thread.
To be continued…
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