Collide: The Memory of Stars

Third Person's POV

Selene's breathing was uneven as she clutched the hilt of her sword, its thin, deadly form barely trembling in her grip.

The others stood around her, their gazes fixed on Aldric, who had just finished his explanation.

There was no running anymore. They had to face it—face whatever was waiting beyond.

Aldric stood before them, his expression grim as he studied the shifting darkness in the distance.

The air had grown heavy with something unseen, pressing against their skin like an invisible force.

Selene felt it in her bones—a weight, a calling, something unnatural pulling at her very core.

Khael clenched his fists, his usually bright demeanor shadowed by a growing sense of unease.

"We cannot keep running," Aldric finally said, his voice firm.

"It will follow us, no matter where we go. The dark matter is drawn to Selene—or rather, what she represents. There is no other choice but to face it head-on." Axel's jaw tightened, but he didn't argue.

He knew Aldric was right. No matter how much they fought to evade the creeping tendrils of darkness, it would always find a way to reach them.

Selene shifted uncomfortably, feeling the unspoken weight of everyone's expectations settle onto her shoulders.

"Then how?" she asked, forcing her voice to remain steady.

"How do we fight something that isn't even fully awake yet?" Aldric's eyes flickered with something unreadable before he turned his attention to the landscape ahead.

"We find the place I have been preparing. The portal."

Selene blinked. "Portal?"

Aldric nodded. "A dimensional portal—a gateway that will lead us back to Eldoria. I discovered it long ago, before I ever met any of you. But I was never meant to open it. That is why I never returned. The one who holds the key to unlocking it... is you."

Selene felt a chill run down her spine. "Why me?"

"Because of your power that is tied to both destruction and restoration," Aldric explained.

"You are the key that the dark matter fears and desires. If we make it to the portal, you will be the one to open it. But the journey there will not be easy. We are far from our destination, and the dark matter will not let us go without a fight." Khael crossed his arms, his gaze hardened.

"Then we fight. If we have no other choice, then we stand our ground." Axel exhaled sharply.

"It won't be a simple fight, Khael. The dark matter doesn't just attack—it consumes. It will try to break us down before we ever reach that portal."

"Let it try," Khael said, determination burning in his eyes.

"We've come too far to stop now."

Selene looked around at the faces of her companions, feeling a mix of fear and resolve settle in her chest. They had all suffered, all fought to get this far. And now, there was no turning back.

Aldric studied them for a long moment before nodding.

"Then we move forward. But be warned—there are things waiting for us on the road to Eldoria that are far worse than what we have seen so far."

Selene swallowed hard. Whatever awaited them ahead, she knew one thing for certain

This was only the beginning.

As the group pressed forward through the desolate landscape, their exhaustion weighed heavily on them.

The world around them was silent, but it wasn't the peaceful kind—it was the kind that whispered of danger lurking just beyond sight.

The air carried a thick, unnatural stillness, making even their footsteps sound foreign against the cracked earth.

Aldric was the first to halt, his gaze sharp as he surveyed their surroundings.

"We're still far," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

"But something isn't right."Axel adjusted his stance, his instincts already on high alert.

"I feel it too." His eyes flickered toward Selene. "Stay close."

Selene swallowed, gripping the hilt of her sword tighter. The weight of their journey pressed on her shoulders, but there was no turning back now.

"What exactly are we looking for?" she asked, glancing at Aldric.

"A guardian," Aldric replied, scanning the area.

"One who has been here far longer than any of us." Just as the words left his lips, a powerful gust of wind swept through the clearing, stirring the dust into a chaotic swirl. From the shifting shadows emerged a figure—tall, imposing, and unmistakably battle-worn.

The woman's dark, piercing eyes locked onto them, her stance unwavering. She had strong, well-defined features, her body draped in armor that had seen countless battles. Her long black hair was tied back, revealing a proud, unyielding expression.

Axel tensed immediately, recognizing the strength in her posture.

"Who are you?"

The woman's gaze flicked over each of them, assessing, calculating. When she finally spoke, her voice was strong yet distant, as if speaking from another time.

"Tyra," she said simply. "And you are late."

Aldric stepped forward cautiously. "You remember?"

"I remember everything," Tyra said without hesitation. "But I do not know you.

" Her eyes landed on Khael, then Selene, then Axel. There was something unreadable in her expression.

"You're one of the guardians," Aldric said. "You were waiting."

Tyra's jaw tightened. "I was left behind. I was the one who guarded this place so that one day, when the time came, those who were meant to return would find it again."

Khael narrowed his eyes.

"If you remember everything, then why don't you remember us?"

Tyra hesitated. "Because you were not with me when I paid the price." Selene felt a chill run down her spine.

"Price?"

Tyra exhaled slowly, as if the weight of her words threatened to break her.

"I was dying. And to survive—to keep this place hidden—I gave up a part of myself. I remained here, waiting, while the world changed around me." She looked directly at Selene.

"And now, you stand before me. The one who will awaken it all." Selene's grip tightened on her sword, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Awaken what?"

Tyra's expression darkened. "Everything."

Silence settled over them, the weight of her words sinking in. Then, with deliberate motion, Tyra turned, motioning for them to follow.

"Come. There isn't much time. The darkness moves faster than we do." As they moved forward, Tyra spoke in a low, firm voice, explaining what had transpired while she had remained in hiding.

"Eldoria was never meant to be forgotten. The portal was sealed for a reason—to contain a force that should never have been allowed to exist. Vherezoth is not just a calamity. She is a force that remembers and waits." Axel's expression was unreadable, but his grip on his weapon tightened.

"Then why keep this place hidden?"

"Because if they found it before the right time, all would have been lost," Tyra said.

"I paid my price to ensure this place would not be discovered until it was necessary." Khael looked skeptical but remained silent. Selene, however, felt the weight of Tyra's words settle into her chest.

The more she learned, the more she realized just how much had been hidden from her.

What exactly was she supposed to awaken?

The journey pressed on, the weight of their conversation lingering over them like a storm cloud.

As they neared what appeared to be an ancient ruin, partially swallowed by the land itself, Tyra suddenly raised a hand, signaling for them to stop.

"We're being followed," she murmured, unsheathing her weapon—a massive blade that looked like it had seen centuries of war.

Axel's senses sharpened.

"How many?"

"Too many for comfort." Tyra's lips curled into a grim smirk.

"But I've been waiting long enough for a real fight." Dark shapes moved in the distance, the silent watchers finally revealing themselves.

And as the first tendrils of dark matter slithered toward them, the battle began.

The group gathered around a small clearing, their breaths heavy, their exhaustion undeniable.

Tyra stood with her arms crossed, her expression unwavering as she examined the ones who had come to disrupt the silence she had maintained for so long.

Her presence alone commanded authority, and despite the weight of their situation, she carried herself as if she had already prepared for this moment centuries ago.

Axel exhaled sharply, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword.

"We don't have time to hesitate. Aldric, tell us exactly how bad this is." Aldric's face was grim as he pulled a small, ancient-looking map from his satchel.

"The portal isn't just far—it's dangerous to reach. We're heading to a location where the boundaries between worlds weaken, a place hidden from ordinary eyes. That's why Tyra was stationed here—to guard it." Tyra nodded, her expression unreadable.

"And for years, I kept it safe. But now, the dark matter is moving faster than I expected. They know you are coming, and they will do anything to stop you from reaching the portal." Selene swallowed, her grip on her sword tightening.

"Then how do we fight them? If they already know we're coming, we can't just rush in without a plan." Tyra's sharp gaze met Selene's.

"We don't fight them all at once. We make them fight on our terms." Khael tilted his head, curiosity flickering in his golden eyes.

"How?"

Tyra turned to Aldric.

"You said you've been preparing this portal for a long time. Is there a way to slow them down? Buy us time to reach it?" Aldric hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"Yes. But it's not foolproof. There are seals I can place along the path that will disorient them, but they won't hold forever. The stronger ones will break through quickly."

Axel crossed his arms, his brows furrowing in thought.

"Then we need to separate them. If they attack as a swarm, we won't stand a chance. We force them to engage in smaller battles, take them out one by one." Selene glanced at Tyra.

"And you? What role do you play in all this?"

Tyra smirked.

"I break things." Khael let out a low chuckle.

"That's good enough for me."

Aldric pointed at the map, tracing their path. "We'll need to move quickly. The dark matter doesn't travel like we do—it seeps, it spreads. But the ones who have taken form—the ones who serve Vherezoth—they are different. They are faster, more dangerous, and far more intelligent."

Axel's gaze darkened. "How many are we talking?" Aldric hesitated.

"At least three major entities. These aren't just mindless creatures—they have purpose. And they will do everything in their power to keep us from reaching that portal." A deep, guttural growl echoed through the air, cutting through their discussion like a blade. The trees around them trembled, and a thick shadow slithered through the undergrowth, taking shape into grotesque figures.

Eyes like burning coals stared at them from the darkness.

"No more time to talk," Tyra muttered, cracking her knuckles.

"They're here."

Axel summoned his sword, stepping forward as Selene and Khael moved into position. Aldric began whispering incantations under his breath, his staff glowing faintly as magical energy surged through the air. The first entity lunged, its form shifting like liquid shadow, aiming straight for Aldric.

Tyra was faster. She surged forward, striking with precise, calculated force. The impact sent the creature staggering back, but it did not fall. Instead, it reformed, its formless shape twisting unnaturally as it let out a distorted screech.

"We hold them here!" Axel shouted.

"Aldric, get those seals in place! We buy time—no one lets them past!"

The battle had begun.

To be continued