KIRAN 14.3

Turning around, he came face to face with the giant apparition he had seen before. The Eldritch Pharaoh, its arms and hands too thin to be human. A golden and blue mask obscured its face, with hollowed eyes revealing only an empty void where its gaze should have been. It stood still, staring into his eyes, before floating back, fading into the eternal darkness, leaving him shaken. Just as the world returned to normal, he felt the presence of the orb still beneath his hand, Eve behind him, and the shadows preparing to strike.

In that moment, the orb's power surged, snatching Sky's hand and pulling him in. Ice water coursed through his veins as he screamed, the excruciating pain washing over him.

The orb unleashed a blast of energy, propelling the shadows away. Protected by the light, Eve saw Sky struggling to stand, his screams echoing as he felt his life force draining away.

"Sky!" she called, fighting against the powerful winds as she rushed to him.

"Eve, run! Get out of here!" he shouted, his hands growing pale as more darkness invaded him.

"No, not without you!" She wrapped her arms around him, trying to pull him free.

"What do I do? Please! Don't take him!" she yelled, desperation flooding her voice.

At that instant, the gemstone shone with radiant light, a beacon of hope amidst the chaos, causing the orb to shriek in protest.

It let out a terrifying scream, a banshee's wail that echoed through the chamber. The glass of the orb cracked, splintering more and more until it finally exploded. The shockwave knocked them all back, including the shadows, sending them crashing into the walls.

With its glass form destroyed, the orb transformed into a formless cloud of darkness, tearing a hole in space and beginning to suck everything around it into the void. Eve held on to Sky, desperate to keep them both from being pulled in. However, the orb's power, reaching a deafening pitch, drew the shadows into the abyss and then released a massive blast of air, destroying all the room's structures and ornaments.

Eve held Sky's head close as fragments of rock rained down from the collapsing ceiling.

Amidst the chaos, she caught sight of something at the far end of the chamber—a hint of light breaking through a section of wall weakened by the explosion. As the chamber continued to fall apart, the wall gave way, revealing a pathway that led to freedom.

"Sky, look! It's a way out!" Eve exclaimed, a smile breaking through her fear as she pointed toward the light. Sky caught on immediately, and they rushed to their feet.

Hand in hand, they dashed for the opening, helping each other scale the crumbling walls as the chamber and the entire city collapsed around them. The proud city they had known was crumbling, barely escaping the falling debris as it crashed all around them. The pathway stretched long before them, the orange light spilling from the fissure in the rock illuminating their path. They clawed at the rubble, hands digging feverishly as they worked to carve a hole large enough for Eve to fit through. 

Sky pushed her through first, and as he turned, he caught a glimpse of the hooded figure standing deep within the darkness of the collapsing cavern, its gold and blue mask staring at him with hollow eyes. The figure vanished as rocks crashed down around it, leaving its fate uncertain.

Sky quickly rushed out of the opening, squeezing through the tight space, and with Eve's help, he pulled himself free. He dove out into the open air, landing on the soft grass with a thud. Dust plumed around him as he coughed, choking on the debris that filled the air, feeling as if he had aged years in just moments.

They lay together on the ground, backs pressed against the earth, gazing up at the clear orange skies of morning above, relief flooding through them as the dawn of a new day broke over the horizon.

The cool air brushed against their faces, refreshing and crisp, while the warm light of the morning sun gleamed over the landscape. They had finally made it out.

Sky leaned toward Eve, concern etched on his face. "Are you alright?"

Eve shook her head, disbelief etched across her features. "What we saw… it felt like a dream, but Kiran—she was there! It's hard to wrap my mind around it. Was she even real?" Her voice trembled as the memories flooded back, her heart racing with confusion. 

"If I had to guess, her love for her father was so strong that even after death, her spirit remained, unwilling to seek rest until she found him again." Sky paused for a moment, letting the weight of his words sink in. "And she did. I'm glad she did."

"Me too," Eve replied softly, her gaze drifting as she absorbed the gravity of their experiences.

Sky's gaze softened as he met Eve's eyes. "You know, for someone who says she knows 'nothing,' you did remarkably well in there. You saved my life." He offered a sincere smile, gratitude flooding his chest. 

Eve chuckled lightly, adrenaline still coursing through her veins. "You're so… unusual."

"I am?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in playful confusion.

"I've never seen someone risk so much for others," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "You put yourself in danger to save me—even for someone who had long since passed. You could've ignored Kiran and run away, but you chose to fight." Her throat went dry as her heart pounded in her chest, emotions bubbling just beneath the surface.

Sky noticed the glimmer of tears in her eyes as a gentle breeze tousled her hair. His shoulders dropped slightly, feeling the weight of her vulnerability. Sky's jaw clenched, determination burning in his eyes as he spoke. "I can't abandon anyone. It doesn't matter who they are or where they're from; I can't just walk away." His fists tightened, knuckles turning white as he recalled the faces of those who had suffered. 

Eve smiled, running her fingers through her hair, trying to maintain her composure. "Thank you for saving me."

"It's okay; you saved me from the wolves. I saved you. We're even," Sky blurted out, trying to recall the dramatic events of the night.

"No, I wasn't talking about that." Eve's smile widened, her eyes sparkling with unspoken appreciation. She turned away, gazing out over the vast green fields that eventually faded into the desert plains. "It's going to be a long way; the journey will be harsh."

"We'll be okay as long as we stick together. I know we can do it," Sky replied, taking a line from Kiran's book. He glanced at her, noticing her expression shift.

Eve looked down at her hands, fingers trembling slightly as she twisted the fabric of her clothes. "Are you sure you want me by your side? I feel… different. Ever since I met you, everything's changed." She bit her lip, the uncertainty reflected in her eyes, as she searched his face for reassurance. 

Sky took in her words, a smile spreading across his face. "Besides, Aleyn, you're the only other person who believed me. You didn't think I was crazy. It kind of gave me a reason to go on." Sky took a step closer, his voice steady and firm. "It's because of you I can keep pushing forward. We're in this together, and I know we'll make it." His conviction was palpable, a warm glow of hope illuminating the uncertainty that loomed ahead. 

Eve's heart swelled at his words, her shoulders relaxing as the warmth of the sun enveloped her. They lay side by side, the chaotic echoes of battle fading into the distance. Slowly, their breaths steadied, the pulse of adrenaline receding like a tide, leaving behind a calm that felt almost foreign yet welcome. 

As they got up, they found themselves atop a large hill overlooking a sprawling valley below.

"The Capital of the Empire," Sky said, pointing westward. "Let's head that way."

Eve smiled, a mix of hope and determination shining in her eyes as they prepared to embark on their next adventure together.