The ground beneath the tower trembled.
Cracks spread across the stone floor.
Lyra looked around in alarm.
"What is happening?"
Varkon smiled calmly.
"The tower is waking up."
Arkon realized the truth immediately.
"No…"
"The tower's defense system."
Ancient guardians were designed to protect dangerous artifacts.
And now those defenses had activated.
Massive stone doors slammed shut across the chamber.
A deep mechanical sound echoed through the tower.
Draven looked toward Arian.
"So now we're trapped with a dark sorcerer."
"Great."
Suddenly a powerful blast of magic struck the wall behind them.
Everyone turned.
A new figure stepped into the room.
A woman wearing silver armor.
Her face was familiar.
Lyra froze.
"Captain Selene…?"
Selene had once been a respected warrior of the Lunareth guard.
Someone they had trusted.
But now she stood beside Varkon.
Draven's voice turned cold.
"You've got to be kidding me."
Selene looked at them calmly.
"The council of Lunareth is weak."
"They fear the future."
Varkon placed a hand on her shoulder.
"But together… we will reshape Eldoria."
Arian clenched his fists.
"You betrayed your own kingdom."
Selene drew her sword.
"No."
"I'm saving it."
Dark energy from the Abyss Shard filled the room.
Varkon looked toward the tower ceiling.
"Soon the other shards will awaken."
"And when they do…"
"The age of the Eclipse will begin."
Arian looked at his friends.
Their journey had just become much more dangerous.
Because now they weren't just searching for the Abyss Shards.
They were racing against a powerful enemy.
An enemy who had already started building an army.
And somewhere across Eldoria…
More darkness was beginning to rise.