Volume 1 chapter 24 Kael

The robed man stood in front of Uno's chained body, the faint hum of ancient machinery echoing through the temple's lower chambers. The torches flickered with violet flames, casting eerie shadows across the stone walls, which pulsed with strange runes.

Uno's chest rose and fell steadily. His eyes, still glowing that deep, unnatural purple, stared blankly at the ceiling.

The robed man walked closer, placing a hand gently on Uno's forehead.

"You fought it longer than most," he whispered. "But even the strongest minds bend under the will of the Hollow Star."

He stepped back, turning toward a massive door behind him — sealed shut with six embedded gems, five of them already glowing faintly.

"Just one more… and the gate will open."

Another priest in darker robes entered the room, kneeling.

"Master Kael… the intruders have been dealt with. Shall we begin the awakening?"

Kael — the robed man — nodded slowly.

"Yes. Begin the Resonance Ritual. The Hollow Star demands its vessel."

The second priest hesitated. "And Uno?"

Kael glanced back at Uno,

"Uno… was always meant for this. Not because of his power… but because of his heart. His loyalty. His willingness to protect others. The temple feeds on that kind of soul."

He walked toward a large stone monolith at the center of the chamber, placing a crystal into the altar.

"You see… this place was never a temple for worship. It was a prison for a god that should have never existed. And now, the seal weakens."

The ground trembled slightly. Dust fell from the ceiling. The glowing eyes of the chained Uno flickered for a moment — almost like something inside was stirring.

Kael whispered to himself, as if trying to convince his own heart,

"I did what I had to. When the stars align, the gate will open. And the world will be reborn... or destroyed."

Darkness.

Not the comforting kind — the kind that wraps around you like a cage. Uno stood alone on a black, glass-like surface that stretched endlessly in every direction. The sky above him wasn't a sky at all… it was a swirling vortex of stars, collapsing and rebirthing themselves in slow motion.

"Where… am I?" he whispered.

No echo. Just silence.

Then — a whisper.

"You are where the world forgets."

Uno turned. A shadow stood across from him, identical in shape, but its eyes were pitch black. The hollow version of him. It stepped forward.

"You protected them. You gave your life. And they still couldn't stop this."

"Who are you?" Uno asked, fists clenched.

The shadow smirked.

"I'm what you become when you realize your sacrifices meant nothing."

Azire sat cross-legged in the grass, his eyes still glowing faintly with cold, shadowy power. The others stirred behind him — Belial groaning, Suna rubbing her temples.

"Ugh… What hit us?" Maya muttered, sitting up.

"We got played," Belial grunted. "Hard."

Suna's eyes darted toward the temple. "Uno… he's still in there."

Azire didn't speak. He was silent, his jaw clenched, staring at the massive sealed gate at the top of the temple steps.

Hollie walked up beside him. "What do we do now?"

Azire slowly stood. "We find out what that place really is."

Uno lunged at the shadow version of himself. Their fists collided — energy burst out like thunder through the void. But when Uno looked up, the shadow wasn't even fazed.

"You're trying to fight me?" it sneered. "You think your friends will save you? This isn't their battle anymore. This is your destiny. You're already part of the Hollow Star."

Uno fell back, breathing hard. He heard something then — faint. A voice.

"UNO!"

Suna's voice. It was distant, muffled, but real.

His eyes widened. "No. I'm not alone. They're still fighting for me."

The shadow paused. Its form flickered. Uno stood again.

"I'm not done yet."

The group made camp not far from the temple, the glow of their fire casting long shadows. Azire stood away from the fire, staring into the distance, his arms crossed.

Belial stirred the flames. "So what's the play here? Storm the temple again and hope for round two?"

Maya looked thoughtful. "No. We need knowledge. That robed guy — Kael — he knew Uno. Knew about the temple. This isn't just some battlefield... it's part of something bigger."

"Then we find someone who knows more," Hollie added. "A seer. A priest. Anyone."

Suna stood. "No. We rescue him. Not later — now. We go back in."

Everyone turned to her.

Azire looked over his shoulder. "You better be sure."

Suna's voice didn't waver. "He's fighting in there. I felt it."