Golden odyssey

The air tore apart under the creature's roar. The dark energy surrounding it stretched like a living storm, seeking to engulf everything in its path.

Eryndal felt the red power pulsing in his palm, burning, demanding. It was an immense weight, a fire he did not yet fully understand. But he knew one thing: he could not let this cycle close in on him.

— Get back! he shouted to his companions.

Darek didn't hesitate for a second and stepped back, his sword raised. Alessia cast one last glance at Eryndal before murmuring an incantation, creating a barrier of light around them. Only Elion remained close, watching the hooded man as if trying to decipher his every move.

The living shadow lunged at them.

Eryndal raised his hand.

The red light burst from his palm and struck the creature head-on. A piercing howl echoed through the distorted space. The dark energy recoiled as if burned by the force he had just unleashed.

But Eryndal immediately felt the backlash.

His head exploded in pain, his breath turned ragged. This power wasn't just flowing from him—it was taking something in return.

— You can't fight against what you are, murmured his double, still unmoving. The more you use it, the more you become me.

— Then I'll find another way! Eryndal snapped through gritted teeth.

But he knew he was lying. This power… it was already changing him. He could feel it.

The creature straightened. Its shifting form rippled, and suddenly, a multitude of voices rose, whispering in unison.

— We are the past. We are the future.

A shiver ran through Eryndal. These voices… he knew them.

He turned sharply toward the hooded man.

— Did you release this?!

— No. You did.

A flash of understanding struck him.

This monster… it wasn't an external entity.

It was every version of himself that had failed before him.

A thousand Eryndals, fallen before reaching the truth. Souls shattered by the same choice.

And now, they were claiming their due.

Panic swelled in Eryndal's chest. How could he fight this? He wasn't battling an enemy—he was battling a fate.

— It's a trap, Alessia whispered. This isn't a fight to win by force.

She was right. He needed to think. Find a different solution.

Elion stepped beside him, his gaze sharper than ever.

— You said you wanted to break the cycle, didn't you?

Eryndal nodded, unable to speak.

Elion took a deep breath.

— Then don't play by their rules.

A spark ignited in Eryndal's mind.

Don't play by their rules…

He slowly lowered his hand, letting the red light fade.

— I refuse, he murmured.

The whispers intensified. The creature seemed to hesitate.

— I refuse this power. I refuse this end.

He looked his double straight in the eye.

— You are not my future.

The hooded man opened his mouth… but no sound came out.

The universe around them wavered.

Eryndal felt something shatter.

The cycle.

The black abyss began to crack, shards of light appearing around them. The creature let out one last scream before dissolving into nothingness.

Eryndal fell to his knees, drained, trembling.

When he looked up…

…The hooded man was gone.

And they were back in the ruins.

The silence was absolute.

Darek and Alessia approached cautiously.

— Did you do it? Darek asked.

Eryndal opened his hand.

The red mark…

…was now just a scar.

He stared at it, stunned.

He had done it.

He had broken the cycle.

But at what cost?