The ancient stone door opened slowly with a deep, thunder-like sound.
Dust filled the air.
A cold blue light glowed from inside the hidden ruins beneath the Whispering Forest.
Aren stared at the symbol carved into the door—the same broken star symbol hanging from his neck.
"This place was waiting for you," Lyra whispered.
Kael stepped forward carefully, his hand resting on the handle of his sword. "Stay alert. Ancient ruins never hide peaceful secrets."
The three of them entered the dark chamber.
Massive stone pillars stretched toward the ceiling, covered in glowing silver markings. At the center of the room stood seven stone thrones.
But only six were empty.
On the final throne sat a figure wearing black armor.
Motionless.
Silent.
A crown of shattered crystal rested on its head.
Aren felt his heartbeat slow.
"Is… is that a person?" he asked quietly.
Before anyone could answer, the figure suddenly opened its glowing white eyes.
Lyra gasped.
The armored king slowly rose from the throne, chains dragging behind him across the floor.
"You carry the final light," the king said in a deep, echoing voice.
Aren stepped back. "Who are you?"
The king looked toward the broken pendant.
"I was once King Aerion… the last ruler chosen by the stars."
Kael's eyes widened. "The Fallen King…"
Stories about him had existed for centuries. Some called him a hero. Others called him the one who destroyed the stars.
Aerion lifted one hand, and glowing images filled the air around them.
The past.
The Kingdom of Elyndor appeared in golden light—beautiful, peaceful, alive.
Then darkness spread across the sky.
A giant shadow covered the stars one by one.
"The Shadow King," Aerion said. "He came from beyond the heavens. He devoured the stars and poisoned the kingdom with fear."
The visions changed again.
A younger Aerion stood beside seven glowing warriors holding starfire weapons.
"We fought to stop him," Aerion continued. "But we failed."
The final image showed the stars shattering across the sky like broken glass.
Aren stared silently.
"So the stars didn't fall naturally…" he whispered.
"No," Aerion answered. "They were destroyed."
The chamber shook suddenly.
Cracks spread across the walls.
A dark laugh echoed through the ruins.
Kael quickly drew his sword. "Something's here."
Black smoke poured from the ceiling, twisting together into a giant shadow figure with glowing red eyes.
The Shadow King had found them.
"You cannot hide the last star forever," the creature hissed.
Aren's pendant began burning with golden light again.
Aerion stepped forward and pulled a massive sword from beside the throne.
The ancient king looked at Aren one final time.
"You must survive," he said.
Then he charged straight at the Shadow King as the ruins began collapsing around them…