CHAPTER 178: The Final Merger of the Eclipse and Celestial Realms, Establishing Equilibrium
CHAPTER 178: The Final Merger of the Eclipse and Celestial Realms, Establishing Equilibrium
The heavens split.
As if the earth's very bones shook under a power too strong to control, a shiver went through the battlefield. With his pulse racing frantically in his chest, Rowan stumbled backward. The armies of light and shade, the broken remnants of the pack, all stared up in quiet wonder and fear around him.
The sky was rupturing open above them.
A huge, bright fissure spread out over the sky like a gushing gash of entwined light and black. The heavens, the cradle of the old creatures of light and order, were extending their arms downward. And rising up to meet it was the Eclipse world, the realm of magic, chaos, and instinct.
Finally, the long-separated worlds were coming together.
But was it destruction or salvation?
The roaring winds caused Selene's silver hair to whirl furiously about her face as she stood at Rowan's side. Still injured and bruised from combat, Kael cradled the Eclipse kid in his arms. There was a strange, knowing light in the child's golden eyes.
The youngster muttered against the storm, "This was always meant to happen." "It was never intended for the realms to coexist."
Rowan was grounded when Selene's hand touched his. He was momentarily rooted in the middle of the mayhem by the strong, genuine link between them. There was nothing else to say, so he squeezed back without saying anything.
Two separate energies flowed out the gap as the sky thundered once more: one of velvety shade and one of pure burning brightness. The landscape around them started to alter as they struck the ground, twisting together like lovers.
The battlefield's remains moved and shook.
Mountains splintered and recovered. Rivers turned around, shimmering like black and silver threads. From the ashes of conflict, forests arose, their leaves glistening with the depth of midnight and the brightness of the stars. Deep in their bones, every living thing, every soldier, every wolf, every soul felt the pulse of change.
Not everyone, however, embraced it.
From the smoldering ruins of the enemy lines, the dark creature that had faced Rowan earlier reemerged, more hideous now, its shape inflated by unbridled Eclipse power. It was a hideous parody of equilibrium, a creature that had completely given itself up to mayhem.
"I refuse to give in!" it roared, splintering the air itself. "I have the right to corrupt this world!"
Rowan took a step forward, feeling a sense of peace that he had never experienced before. Even though his forefathers' blood still burned inside of him, it was now pure. His conflict with himself ended.
"You're mistaken," Rowan said plainly. His voice, albeit faint, resonated over the whole battlefield. "Those who are able to walk both paths belong in this world." People who are able to hold both light and gloom without allowing one to consume them.
The hideous form roared and lunged but it never made it to him.
A spiral of light and black rushed down from the gap above, slamming into the monster. As its body started to crumble into nothingness, it shrieked and flailed madly, undone by balance rather than violence.
Behind it, the army disintegrated. Before Rowan's eyes, the centuries-old corruption that had festered was fading.
The world appeared to breathe once more for the first time in memory.
With a new vigor in her voice, Selene took a step forward. This rebirth has to be guided by us. Together. The worlds need to be weaved together, not just merged.
The Eclipse kid nodded seriously. "A sacrifice will have to be made."
Like stones, the words fell.
Everybody froze.
Rowan's stomach tightened. "What sacrifice do you mean?"
The child's bright eyes swept over them. “The tether between realms must be anchored in a soul. A willing spirit. Someone who can traverse both worlds without being ripped apart
There was a dreadful quiet.
All eyes slowly went to Rowan.
He understood, at that moment, what he had to do. The bridge might be the Eclipse and Celestial energy inside him, no longer at odds. He may finally bring about genuine harmony by binding the worlds.
but at his own liberty's expense. His own life, maybe.
Selene grabbed him. "No, Rowan. There must be an alternative.
"There isn't," he replied quietly. With the affection he would carry with him forever, his eyes met hers. "You taught me the value of choosing love." to decide on peace. I'm picking it right now.
Selene's eyes filled with tears. The pack lowered their heads around them, muttering to both ancient and modern gods.
Kael took a step forward. Rowan, you won't be alone. I'll accompany you.
Rowan gave a little smile and shook his head. "Brother, you have your own way. Keep them safe. Keep her safe. He glanced at Selene once more, committing every facial expression to memory.
The little girl extended her hand. "Are you prepared?"
Rowan gave a nod.
However, when he extended his hand to take the child's
the rift twisted wildly over the battleground.
The merging worlds were driven through by a shadow, no, a third force.
Not anything from heaven.
Something not eclipse-related.
Something old. ancient compared to both worlds.
Suddenly the winds ceased. The light even went down.
Selene let out a gasp. "What is that?"
For the first time, terror appeared on the child's face. Something that was imprisoned at the division of the kingdoms. Something we weren't supposed to awaken.
The mountains shook and bones rattled as a deep, rumbling growl reverberated through the atmosphere.
The ancient creature materialized, a giant of fire and darkness, its many eyes blazing with evil, its voice a chorus of hopelessness.
It growled, "You sought balance," "But you have torn open the gates of the first darkness."
The battleground became cold.
The blending worlds shuddered.
And Rowan came to the horrible realization:
The fight was not over yet.
This was only the start.