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Chapter 93 – Through the Cracks
The clash of power reverberated through the node, each strike between Erevan and Veyra sending waves of destructive energy spiraling outward. The ground quaked beneath them, and the air was thick with the smell of ozone and burnt metal. Yet amidst the chaos, Erevan's focus remained unwavering, his every sense honed in on the woman before him.
Veyra's transformation into something more than human was not just physical. Her very essence seemed to have merged with the energy of the Tower, becoming part of the broken system she once served. Her movements were fluid, like liquid darkness, her power seemingly boundless, yet Erevan could see the flickers of doubt in her eyes—hesitations that suggested there was still something left of the person she used to be.
"You're not the person you think you are anymore," Erevan said, his voice cutting through the maelstrom of their battle. His sword hummed with energy, a resonance that matched the pulsing node behind them.
Veyra's lips curled into a bitter smile, a strange echo of the woman she once was. "And who am I now, Erevan? A monster? A weapon? No... I am more than that. I am the future of this world, the one who will reshape everything in the Tower's image. And you, you're just another obstacle."
The words hit him harder than any blow could. Erevan had known for a long time that the Tower's influence had twisted many, but seeing Veyra—someone he had once trusted, someone who had fought by his side—completely consumed by it, broke something inside him.
"I won't let you be this," he said quietly, his sword now crackling with energy that threatened to tear through the very fabric of reality.
The energy around them surged, and Erevan pressed the attack. He needed to end this—before Veyra could do any more damage, before the Tower could solidify its control over everything. But as he swung, Veyra blocked with a shield of dark energy that warped the air itself. Her movements were fast, almost predatory, as she closed the distance between them in a blur of motion.
"You're a fool," she said, her voice filled with both venom and sorrow. "You still think this is about you. About the rebellion. But this isn't about any of you. This is about survival."
Erevan's gaze hardened. "Survival at the cost of everything? You've lost yourself, Veyra. You've lost your humanity."
Her eyes flickered for a brief moment, and in that instant, Erevan saw it—regret. A fleeting glimpse of the woman she had once been, struggling beneath the layers of darkness that now enveloped her. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the cold, calculating mask of the creature she had become.
"I've gained something more," she replied, her hand sweeping through the air. A wave of energy surged forward, striking Erevan with such force that he was thrown back, crashing into the twisted remnants of a nearby building.
But Erevan didn't stay down for long. His body ached from the impact, but his resolve burned brighter than ever. He could feel the weight of their fight, not just against Veyra, but against the Tower itself, and against everything that had been lost.
The node pulsed again, sending a shockwave through the ground. The faint glow of its energy resonated with Erevan's core, his connection to it growing stronger with each passing second. He knew this was it—the moment when everything would change.
With a grunt, Erevan rose to his feet, his eyes meeting Veyra's across the battlefield. "I don't want to fight you," he said, his voice low but filled with a quiet intensity. "But if I have to, I will."
Veyra didn't respond at first. Her eyes narrowed, studying him. The energy around her rippled and writhed, as if it were alive. The struggle within her was palpable, and Erevan could sense it. But there was no time for hesitation.
In a flash, Veyra moved again, her energy spiraling out in jagged waves. Erevan met her head-on, their powers colliding with a force that shook the very ground beneath them. The battle raged on, an endless cycle of light and darkness, energy and force, until both of them were near exhaustion.
And then, in the midst of the chaos, something unexpected happened.
A voice, soft yet clear, echoed through the shattered remnants of the node. "Stop."
The word reverberated through Erevan's mind, and for a brief moment, everything around him fell silent. Veyra froze mid-attack, her energy faltering as if it had been cut off at its source. Erevan's sword lowered, and his eyes darted around, searching for the origin of the voice.
From the shadows, a figure emerged—a woman draped in tattered robes, her hair flowing like tendrils of smoke. She stepped forward with an air of quiet authority, her eyes glowing with an inner light that cut through the darkness. The power that surrounded her was unmistakable—an ancient, untapped force.
"Who are you?" Erevan asked, his voice filled with confusion and curiosity.
The woman smiled gently, her expression one of calm understanding. "I am a part of what remains. I am the voice of the lost, the echoes of those who have been erased."
Veyra's form flickered, her mask cracking as her energy faltered once again. The woman's presence was a balm to the chaos, a stillness in the midst of the storm. Erevan could feel it—a pulse of hope, of something beyond destruction.
"You're..." Erevan began, but the woman raised her hand to silence him.
"I am not your enemy," she said softly. "I am the one who will guide you through the cracks. You, Erevan, have the power to undo what was done. But only if you understand what you're truly fighting for."
Veyra's eyes flickered with recognition, and for the first time, Erevan saw something like fear in her gaze. But it was gone before he could process it.
"You want to save her," the woman said, her voice tinged with sorrow. "But first, you must save yourself."
Erevan's heart pounded in his chest. "How?"
The woman's eyes softened, and she stepped closer. "The Tower will not fall from brute force alone. It will fall from understanding. From remembering. And from forgiving."
Erevan's breath caught in his throat as the realization hit him. He had been so focused on destruction, on tearing the Tower down, that he had forgotten the power of those who had once been a part of it—those like Veyra.
Veyra's form wavered again, and Erevan felt the surge of energy within him shift. The woman's words were true. The path forward was not one of destruction alone. It was one of rebuilding. And in order to rebuild, they had to first understand what had been broken.
"Veyra," Erevan called, his voice steady. "It's not too late. We can fix this."
The woman's presence flickered like a fading star, but her last words lingered in the air.
"Remember."
And with that, the world around Erevan shifted once again.
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Author's Note:
A quiet moment of truth amidst the chaos. Erevan is faced with a choice—one that challenges everything he thought he knew about war, destruction, and healing. The Tower may have corrupted everything, but the path to true victory lies in understanding what was lost.
Thank you for reading, and don't forget to share your thoughts in a review!
— Dorian Blackthorn
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