Thorns of the Moonlit Throne
Volume 3 — Chapter 7: The Void Serpent
Writer: Sabbir Ahmed
The Eternal Eclipse trembled as a shadow stretched across the celestial forge.
From the swirling void emerged a creature unlike any mortal eye had seen—a serpent woven from darkness and starlight, scales reflecting distant galaxies, eyes burning with intelligence and malice. Its hiss rippled through the very bridge of stars, shaking Lyriana, Aryn, and Eryon to their cores.
"The Void Serpent," Eryon whispered. "Guardian of the prophecy's heart. It feeds on fear… and disunity."
Lyriana's crown flared in response, shadow and light weaving around her like living armor. "Then we face it together," she said, stepping forward with calm resolve.
The serpent lunged, tendrils of void whipping through the forge. Aryn met it head-on, deflecting attacks with his sword infused with the moon-shadow energy. Each strike sent ripples across the bridge, threatening to break the delicate balance.
Lyriana extended her hand, releasing a pulse of harmonized energy. Shadows and starlight intertwined to strike the creature, slowing its advance. Yet it was clear: brute force alone would not defeat it.
The serpent hissed, sending visions into their minds—Arvandor burning, Aryn lost, Lyriana powerless, Eryon consumed by darkness. Doubt threatened to shatter their unity.
"Do not falter!" Lyriana shouted. "It only exists because we doubt each other!"
Aryn reached for her hand. "We trust each other. Always."
Eryon nodded, merging shadows with starlight to form a stabilizing current. Together, their combined energy coalesced into a sphere of pure balance. The Void Serpent thrashed, but each pulse of doubt was absorbed, transformed into unity and resolve.
With one final surge, Lyriana and Aryn struck in perfect unison. The sphere of balance expanded, enveloping the serpent. It writhed, eyes wide with recognition, then dissolved into harmless cosmic mist.
Silence fell. The forge pulsed calmly, the sigil of the Eclipse glowing steadily.
Lyriana exhaled. "One guardian down."
Eryon's shadow flickered. "The path forward is still dangerous. But if we endure together…"
Lyriana glanced at the swirling void ahead. "Then nothing—neither light nor shadow—can break us."
Beyond, the Eternal Eclipse loomed, ready to test their unity once more.