Part I: Lyra's Soul in the Veil
Somewhere beyond death, in the space between light and void, Lyra drifted.
A pale wasteland stretched endlessly in every direction no sky, no earth, only mist and forgotten echoes. Shadows whispered her name.Each step felt like a century.
Then a voice.
"You're far from where you belong, Lyra Veyne."
A woman appeared tall, pale-skinned, with eyes that shimmered like starfire.
The Keeper of the Veil.
"No one crosses twice," the Keeper said. "Your blood has claimed many souls. Why should yours return?"
Lyra's heart clenched.
"Because he'll destroy everything. Because I'm the only thing left that can stop him."
The Keeper studied her a long, agonizing moment ,then held out a blade formed of pure light.
"Then find him. And if you cannot save him… end him."
Lyra took the blade.And the mists parted.
Part II: Kael's Coronation
Back in the waking world, beneath blood-red skies, Kael stood upon the obsidian throne of the fallen gods.
Before him knelt the remnants of humanity's broken armies, scattered demon lords, and forsaken godlings, all bound to his will.
Azuren watched from the shadows, satisfied.
A crown of bone and fire hovered above Kael's brow.
"The age of gods is over," Kael spoke, his voice no longer wholly his own. "The age of ash begins."
The army roared.But in his heart, Kael felt only emptiness.
And in the distance, a figure moved through the mists carrying a blade of light.
Part III: The Reunion
Lyra stepped into the ruined throne chamber, hair wild, eyes burning with fury and sorrow.
Kael rose from his seat.And for a breath, he saw not the ghost, nor the enemy, but the woman he loved.
"Lyra," he whispered.
But the power within him snarled. Azuren's voice echoed in his mind.
"Kill her. She'll betray you again."
Lyra lifted her blade.
"I came to bring you back."
His sword appeared in his hand.
"Then you came to die."
Their blades clashed.
Light against shadow.Love against grief.Destiny against blood.
The throne room trembled.
Neither spoke as they fought ,because words had long since failed them. Only the memory of what they were kept either of them standing.
And somewhere, as light and shadow consumed the room ,a bond deeper than fate itself began to pull them together, even as the world demanded their ruin.