Chapter 7: The Light Core
Three days later, the trio finally reached the heart of Moonvale Island — a place untouched by time. Giant stone arches covered in glowing moss surrounded an ancient staircase leading down into the earth. The wind carried a faint, musical hum, as though the island itself was whispering.
Mia stood at the top of the stairs, staring into the swirling blue light below. "Is this it?" she whispered.
Father John nodded, clutching his cross. "The Temple of the Light Core. The oldest and most sacred place on Moonvale."
Ben stepped forward cautiously. His hand brushed the hilt of his sword as he scanned the area. "Stay close. Gabriel won't let us reach it easily."
They descended the steps slowly. The walls glowed with ancient runes that pulsed like heartbeats, lighting the way as they moved deeper underground. The air smelled of old stone and faint incense — something divine and forgotten.
At the end of the long tunnel, they entered a massive chamber.
In the center floated a sphere of pure white energy — the Light Core — suspended between six golden pillars. Its glow reflected in Mia's eyes like starlight.
Father John's voice trembled with awe. "The heart of creation…"
Mia felt drawn to it. The light called her name — not aloud, but inside her mind.
She took a step closer.
"Mia, wait—" Ben started, but it was too late.
The moment her fingertips touched the air around the Light Core, blinding radiance exploded across the room.
The Vision
Mia gasped as her surroundings faded away.
She was standing in another time — in a sunlit garden filled with white lilies. A young woman stood there, her face calm and kind. She looked exactly like Mia… but dressed in ancient robes.
Before her stood two men — Ben and Gabriel — but not as they were now. They wore the shining armor of celestial guardians.
The woman — her past self — spoke softly.
"If light and shadow are one, then you must not fight each other. Balance is the only way the world survives."
Gabriel shook his head. "Balance? They cast me out because I was born from shadow. They called me impure!"
Ben reached out to him. "Brother, don't let their hate define you—"
But Gabriel turned away, eyes burning. "Then I'll make them remember my name — in fear."
The woman's eyes filled with tears.
"Then I will seal you myself… even if it means sealing him too."
The scene shattered — and Mia fell backward, gasping as the vision vanished.
Ben caught her before she hit the ground.
"Mia! What happened?"
She clutched his sleeve, trembling. "I… I saw it. The past. I was there. I was the one who sealed you both."
Ben froze. "You?"
Her voice broke. "It was me. I split your soul… and Gabriel's. I thought it would stop the war — but it cursed you both instead."
Father John whispered, "Then this entire cycle — it began because of her."
Ben lowered his head. His voice was quiet but gentle. "No. It began because of love — and fear."
He touched her cheek softly. "You tried to save us. That doesn't make you guilty."
Suddenly, the air around them darkened.
The light from the Core began to fade, replaced by a thick red mist.
From the shadows, Gabriel appeared, his armor cracked and glowing with black veins of energy.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" he said, his voice echoing. "You return to your sacred light, and still it betrays you."
Ben moved in front of Mia, sword drawn. "Don't do this, Gabriel."
"Oh, but I must," Gabriel replied. "Because when the Light Core falls… every curse will finally end."
He raised his hand. The chamber shook violently. The golden pillars cracked, and the Light Core began to flicker like a dying star.
Mia screamed as the ground split apart, throwing them backward.
Ben gritted his teeth. "Father John — take her and run!"
"But what about—"
"Go!"
As Father John pulled Mia away, she looked back — seeing Ben charge straight into the collapsing chamber, sword blazing white.
"Ben!" she cried.
But the doors slammed shut between them.
Inside, Ben faced Gabriel amid the storm of light and shadow.
The brothers raised their swords one last time, their eyes filled with everything — pain, love, regret.
The final battle had begun.