THE BETRAYAL OF A KING

Kieran and Elara stood at the portal's threshold, their hearts pounding as they stared at the swirling energy before them. **This was it.** The decision that would change everything.

Behind them, Rebel lingered, silent and unreadable.

Elara turned to him. "We have to warn Earth. If we're merging the worlds, they need to be prepared."

Rebel exhaled sharply, his golden eyes gleaming in the dim light. "And you really think they'll listen?"

"They have to," Kieran said. "If we do nothing, both Earth and Natuka collapse. You saw what the doppelgängers showed us."

Rebel was quiet for a long moment. Then, he stepped forward, lifting a hand. The energy of the portal rippled around his fingers.

"Fine," he said. "Let's go."

The three of them passed through the portal together.

—

**Earth – The Other Side of the Portal**

The moment Kieran and Elara stepped onto solid ground, a familiar chill settled in their bones. **Earth.** The sky above was clear, the air crisp with the scent of rain.

But something was **off**.

The world around them felt... distant. As if they no longer fully belonged here. **Like ghosts walking among the living.**

Elara shivered. "It feels wrong to be back."

Kieran nodded, his gaze darting to Rebel—who had stepped forward, taking in the surroundings with an unsettling expression.

"We don't have much time," Kieran said. "We need to—"

**The blow came fast.**

Kieran barely had time to react before **Rebel's hand shot forward, striking him across the chest with a surge of raw energy.**

The force sent him flying backward, crashing into a nearby tree. Pain exploded through his ribs as he gasped for breath.

"**KIERAN!**" Elara screamed.

She spun toward Rebel, her body already shifting—her form flickering between a tiger and a hawk, ready to attack.

But Rebel was faster.

He **slammed an artifact into the ground**, and golden chains shot from the earth, **snaring Elara mid-transformation.**

She choked, struggling against the restraints. "What are you doing?"

Rebel stepped forward, his face calm, almost pitying.

"What I was always meant to do," he said softly. "I choose Natuka."

Kieran groaned, forcing himself to his feet. "You're... betraying us?"

Rebel's expression didn't change. "You still don't understand, do you? Natuka is the only world that matters. Earth is weak. Corrupt. It never deserved to exist alongside Natuka."

Elara thrashed against the golden chains. "That's not your choice to make!"

Rebel tilted his head. "And yet, here I am—making it."

Kieran clenched his fists, anger burning through him. **He should have seen this coming.** Rebel had always been on the edge, torn between both worlds. But now, he had made his decision.

He wasn't just going to let Earth and Natuka merge.

**He was going to rule Natuka alone.**

Rebel turned away from them, raising his hands toward the sky. The air around them **hummed with energy**, and Kieran could feel the portal behind them **shifting—destabilizing.**

Rebel was cutting them off. **Severing their connection to Natuka.**

If they didn't stop him now, Earth's fate would be sealed.

Kieran locked eyes with Elara, nodding once.

**They had to fight.**

—

**End of Chapter 14**

(Word count: ~1,450)

This chapter sets up the **final battle**—Rebel has betrayed them, choosing Natuka over Earth. Now, Kieran and Elara must stop him before he closes the portal forever.