Finn gathered his friends in the library that night, away from listening ears and watching eyes. He told them everything—the Tide man's secret signal, Corvus's voice, the plan to take the Source.
"We have to warn the Council," Elara said immediately.
"Which Council member can we trust?" Theo asked. "If the Tide man is a spy, who else might be?"
"We trust no one." Briar's voice was quiet, steady. "Except ourselves."
Finn nodded. "We have to find the Source first. Before Corvus does. If we can get there, if we can claim its power—"
"We can't fight Corvus alone," Elara protested.
"We won't have to." Finn touched his crystal. "The Source will give us what we need. I know it."
His friends exchanged glances. Then, one by one, they nodded.
"When do we leave?" Theo asked.
"Now. Tonight. Before anyone knows we're gone." Finn rose. "Pack light. Bring only what you need. We meet at the eastern edge in one hour."
They scattered into the night, and Finn stood alone in the library, the crystal warm against his chest, his father's words echoing in his mind.
Remember who you are. Remember what you carry.
He remembered. And he would not fail.
The journey through the between was easier this time. Finn's crystal lit the way, pushing back the shadows, showing them the path. They moved quickly, silently, driven by purpose and fear.
When they emerged on the other side, they stood in a place Finn had never seen—a valley of crystal and light, surrounded by mountains that touched the sky. At its centre, pulsing with power beyond measure, was the Source.
"It's beautiful," Elara breathed.
"It's dangerous," Briar corrected. "Look."
Shadows moved at the edges of the valley—Corvites, dozens of them, waiting. And at their head, two figures Finn knew well.
Corvus. And the Tide man.
"Welcome, Crystal Heir." Corvus's voice echoed across the valley. "I knew you would come. I knew the Source would call to you. And now—now you will lead me to it."
Finn stepped forward, his friends at his sides, the crystal blazing. "You'll have to kill me first."
"That can be arranged." Corvus raised his hand, and the Corvites advanced.
The battle began.
It was chaos—pure, beautiful, terrible chaos. Elara summoned waves that swept Corvites from their feet. Theo struck at their minds, sowing confusion and fear. Briar became a fortress, protecting them from attacks. And Finn—Finn fought with light.
The crystal blazed in his hand, casting shadows back into the darkness from which they came. He moved through the Corvites like a blade through water, his power growing with every step, every strike, every heartbeat.
And then he faced Corvus.
The dark wizard stood before the Source, his eyes burning with hunger. "You're strong, boy. Stronger than I expected. But not strong enough."
He struck, and darkness erupted from his hands—darkness that drank the light, that swallowed everything. Finn felt it coming, felt its cold hunger, and knew that if it touched him, he would be lost.
But he wasn't alone.
His friends appeared beside him—Elara, Theo, Briar—their hands linked with his, their power flowing into the crystal. The light blazed brighter, pushing back the darkness, inch by inch, foot by foot.
And then, with a scream that shook the valley, Corvus fell.
The darkness dissolved. The Corvites fled. And Finn stood before the Source, his friends beside him, the crystal pulsing with power beyond measure.
He reached out and touched the Source.
Light exploded—not from the crystal, but from him, from his friends, from everything. It filled the valley, pushed back the shadows, healed the wounds of battle. And in that light, Finn understood.
The Source wasn't a place. It wasn't a thing. It was them. Their connection. Their love. Their willingness to sacrifice for each other.
That was the true power. That was what the Void could never understand.
And that was how they would win.