The black crystal chamber trembled.
Crimson lightning crawled across the walls as the Harbinger continued its assault on the First World.
Kael looked at Arion.
Then at the chains binding him.
"There has to be another way."
Arion smiled weakly.
"There's always another way."
He coughed, blue light escaping from his lips.
"But not every way saves everyone."
Outside, another explosion rocked the capital.
The connection between Kael and the Harbinger flickered.
Aetherion's voice echoed in his mind.
"Kael... the city can't endure much longer."
Kael clenched his fists.
"I won't abandon him."
Arion's tired eyes softened.
"You remind me of someone."
"The Last Core?"
Arion nodded.
"Aetherion never accepted losing even one life."
"He believed every soul was worth fighting for."
Kael lowered his head.
"Then I'll believe the same."
For the first time in centuries, Arion laughed.
"Maybe..."
"...there really is hope."
Suddenly, a bright white glow spread through the chamber.
The chains reacted violently.
Runes hidden beneath the black crystal floor began to appear.
Aetherion gasped.
"Those aren't Devourer runes."
Kael looked closer.
"They're Core runes."
Arion's eyes widened.
"They're still active?"
Aetherion spoke quickly.
"When the Harbinger was created, the Core Sovereigns built a failsafe."
"A failsafe?"
"If the pilot could be reached..."
"...the prison could be broken from within."
Hope filled the chamber.
"But there's a condition," Aetherion continued.
"The pilot cannot do it alone."
"And neither can the Heir."
Kael understood.
"We have to do it together."
Arion slowly nodded.
The crimson chains tightened again, sensing their intentions.
Pain spread across his face.
"We only get one chance."
Outside the Harbinger, the battle reached its fiercest point.
Crystal dragons crashed against the giant's armor.
Stone giants struggled to hold back its advance.
The Azure Dominion fleet unleashed everything it had.
Still, the Harbinger marched forward.
Inside the prison, Kael stepped toward Arion.
He placed one hand against the crystal that surrounded him.
A warm white light flowed from the Last Core.
Arion raised his own trembling hand.
Their palms met through the crystal.
For one heartbeat...
The white and blue lights became one.
The chamber erupted with brilliant radiance.
Cracks spread across the crimson chains.
One...
Then another.
Outside, the Harbinger froze.
Its crimson eyes flickered blue once more.
The Guardians stopped fighting.
Everyone watched in silence.
High above the battlefield, Veyrath's smile faded for the first time.
"No..."
He whispered.
"They found the failsafe."
The Harbinger let out a roar that shook the heavens.
This time...
It sounded less like a machine.
And more like a man fighting to be free.