Chapter 36: Revealing the Past

Chapter 36: Revealing the Past

Silvia's POV

The moment Silvia's fingertips touched the crystal, a surge of energy pulsed through her, sending a wave of raw magic crackling through the air. The cavern trembled, and her mind was ripped from the present, flung into something far older than herself.

Darkness surrounded her. Then—

A world bathed in golden light appeared before her eyes, not just in sight but in sensation. She could feel the warmth of the sun against her skin, hear the murmur of voices speaking in a language she didn't recognize, and sense the power humming through the land itself.

Tall figures moved gracefully through an ancient city carved from stone and magic, their bodies shifting fluidly between human and monstrous forms. The Terrans, in their true, unshackled form. They were not creatures of war, but beings of balance, seamlessly merging with the energy of the world around them.

A whisper brushed against her mind. "You were one of us."

Silvia gasped, her breath catching in her throat. "No… that's not possible."

But the vision continued.

The sky darkened, and suddenly, the peaceful city was under siege. Humans, armored and wielding weapons infused with stolen magic, stormed through the streets. The Terrans fought back, their power immense—but the humans had numbers, ruthless tactics, and one thing the Terrans did not.

A weapon meant to seal them away forever.

Silvia's perspective shifted, showing her a massive ritual circle, pulsing with stolen Terran magic. A group of human mages, their faces hidden beneath golden masks, raised their hands, casting the binding. Their voices rang in a language she suddenly understood, despite never having heard it before.

The spell ignited, chains of golden light ripping through the city. The ground trembled as the Terrans screamed, their bodies being pulled into the depths of the earth. Cities crumbled. Towers collapsed. The world above buried them.

Then, everything went dark.

Back in the Present

Silvia's body snapped back into reality as if she had been yanked from deep water. She staggered, breathless, her pulse hammering in her ears.

Dragon caught her before she fell. "Silvia! What just happened?"

Her hands trembled as she looked at the now glowing crystal. It wasn't just energy she had connected with—it was history itself.

"We were the invaders," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Tarren's expression darkened. "What did you see?"

Silvia swallowed hard. "The war didn't start with the Terrans attacking us. It started when humans sealed them away. We weren't defending ourselves—we were taking something that wasn't ours."

A thick silence filled the chamber.

Dragon frowned. "So the entire war… everything… it was a lie?"

The Terran leader stepped forward. "Not a lie. A truth rewritten by those who feared what they did not understand."

Silvia clenched her fists. "Then why do the Terrans attack us now? If they were peaceful before, what changed?"

The Terran's glowing blue eyes bore into hers. "Because centuries of being imprisoned, forgotten, and hunted when we surfaced has left us with only one choice—survival."

Dragon sighed. "And survival means war."

Silvia exhaled slowly, her thoughts racing. "It doesn't have to. There has to be another way."

The Terran studied her for a long moment. "And what would you propose, Earthstar? To undo the past? To rewrite what was taken?"

She hesitated. "I… I don't know yet. But if we don't try, then we're just repeating history."

The Next Step

Tarren shook his head. "Even if you're right, we still have to deal with the corporations, the warriors, the city-states. You think they'll just let this go? People have built entire lives off this war. It's what keeps them in power."

Silvia knew he was right. The war wasn't just about revenge anymore—it was business, politics, and control. If she tried to spread the truth, she wouldn't just be fighting for peace.

She'd be fighting the entire system.

Dragon crossed his arms. "We need allies. People who will listen. Not everyone benefits from this war—there are those who are just trying to survive. If we can reach them, we might stand a chance."

Silvia nodded. "And we need to prove that coexistence isn't just an idea—it's possible. We need a symbol, something that will make both sides see that peace is an option."

She turned back to the crystal, its glow pulsating in rhythm with her own heartbeat. If she had connected with it… could she heal it? Could restoring the Heart of the Terrans be that symbol?

The Terran leader tilted its head. "You believe repairing the Heart will change the minds of those who wish for war?"

"Not all of them," Silvia admitted. "But it could be the first step. If I can do this… if we can bring both sides together to see it happen… it might be enough to start something real."

The Terran was silent for a long time before finally nodding. "Then you will need guidance. And I will take you to the ones who can provide it."

The Journey Begins

The Terran led them deeper into the ruins, down twisting corridors lined with forgotten symbols. The further they traveled, the more Silvia could feel something stirring beneath her skin, a presence responding to her.

Dragon stayed close, his eyes flicking between Silvia and their surroundings. "If this ends with another vision knocking you unconscious, I swear I'm catching you in a less dramatic way next time."

Silvia smirked despite herself. "What, getting tackled mid-fall wasn't enough for you?"

Dragon rolled his eyes, but the amusement in his expression faded as they stepped into a vast underground temple.

At its center, a council of Terrans awaited them. Some bore ancient battle scars, others radiated immense magical power. One stepped forward—taller, older, with a presence that sent chills down Silvia's spine.

"You wish to mend the past?" the elder Terran said, voice deep with time-worn wisdom. "Then you must first understand what it means to be one of us."

Silvia inhaled sharply, realizing that she wasn't just here to change the future.

She was about to uncover who she truly was.