Falling into darkness felt strangely peaceful.

Kael had expected pain.

He had expected death.

Instead, he felt nothing.

No wind.

No sound.

No ground beneath his feet.

Only Lyra’s hand in his.

He could not see her.

He could not see anything.

“Lyra?”

“I’m here.”

Her voice came from somewhere beside him.

Kael tightened his grip.

“Don’t let go.”

“I wasn’t planning to.”

“Good.”

A pause.

Then Lyra spoke again.

“Kael.”

“Yes?”

“Are we still falling?”

“I think so.”

“How long?”

“I don’t know.”

“Can you see anything?”

“No.”

“Can you feel anything?”

Kael thought about it.

“My hand.”

“What about it?”

“It’s holding yours.”

Lyra was silent.

Then he heard a soft laugh.

“You’re strange.”

“You already told me that.”

“I know.”

Kael smiled.

For some reason, even in the middle of an endless void, hearing her laugh made him feel safe.

Then suddenly…

They hit the ground.

Kael opened his eyes.

He was lying on a field of silver grass.

Above him was a purple sky.

Three moons floated in the distance.

Kael slowly sat up.

Lyra was lying several feet away.

“Lyra?”

She groaned.

“I’m alive.”

“Good.”

“Unfortunately.”

Kael laughed.

She opened one eye.

“You find this funny?”

“A little.”

“I hate you.”

“No, you don’t.”

Lyra immediately sat up.

“Don’t say things like that.”

Kael stopped smiling.

“Why?”

“Because you don’t know me.”

“Neither do you.”

“Exactly.”

She stood.

Kael watched her.

“Where are we?”

Lyra looked around.

“I don’t know.”

The world around them was unlike anything Kael had ever seen.

Silver trees grew from the ground.

Floating islands moved slowly through the sky.

Blue rivers flowed upward instead of down.

In the distance stood a massive city surrounded by crystal walls.

Kael stared.

“What is this place?”

Lyra shook her head.

“The Void.”

Kael looked at her.

“This doesn’t look like the Void.”

“That’s because you don’t understand what the Void is.”

She walked toward the silver trees.

Kael followed.

“What is it?”

“Not a place.”

“Then what?”

“A world.”

Kael looked around.

“There’s a difference?”

“Yes.”

Lyra stopped beside a tree.

Its leaves were glowing.

“The Void is another dimension.”

Kael stared at her.

“Like another kingdom?”

“More like another universe.”

He looked at the strange sky.

“So the Voidborn live here?”

“Yes.”

“All of them?”

“Most.”

Kael looked at the city.

“Then why haven’t they attacked Aetheria before?”

Lyra’s expression became serious.

“Because the Void was sealed.”

“By the Moonblades.”

“Yes.”

Kael looked down at his sword.

“Then why did it open?”

Lyra looked at him.

“Because of you.”

Kael frowned.

“Me?”

“The moment the Moonblade chose you, the seal weakened.”

Kael stared at her.

“You’re saying this is my fault?”

“No.”

“You just said—”

“I said the seal reacted to you.”

“That’s not much better.”

Lyra sighed.

“Kael.”

“What?”

“The Void was going to open eventually.”

“Why?”

“Because someone has been breaking the seal from inside.”

Kael stopped.

“Who?”

Lyra looked toward the distant city.

“The Void King.”

Kael’s expression hardened.

“Then we find him.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because you don’t understand.”

“I understand enough.”

“No, you don’t.”

Lyra stepped closer.

“The Void King isn’t just a monster.”

“Then what is he?”

“The first Moonblade.”

Kael froze.

“What?”

“The first Moonblade became the Void King.”

Kael stared at her.

“How?”

“That’s the story nobody told you.”

She looked at his sword.

“The Moonblades were created to control the Void. But the first Moonblade discovered something.”

“What?”

“Power.”

Kael understood.

“He wanted more.”

Lyra nodded.

“He believed the Void could make humanity stronger.”

“And?”

“He was right.”

Kael looked at her.

“That’s bad.”

“Very.”

“What happened?”

“He opened the first gate.”

“And the Voidborn came.”

“Yes.”

“Then why did he become the king?”

“Because he never returned.”

Kael stared at the distant city.

“So the Void King is the first Moonblade.”

Lyra nodded.

“His name was…”

She stopped.

Kael looked at her.

“What?”

“Arcturus.”

The name echoed through the strange world.

Kael felt a chill.

“Arcturus.”

Lyra nodded.

“Your father fought him.”

“And lost?”

“No.”

Kael looked surprised.

“Then how is he alive?”

Lyra’s face changed.

“That’s what we need to find out.”

---

They continued walking.

The silver forest seemed endless.

Every few minutes, Kael looked behind them.

“Do you think we’re being followed?”

Lyra stopped.

“Yes.”

Kael’s heart jumped.

“By what?”

She pointed toward the trees.

Nothing moved.

“Lyra.”

“Wait.”

She closed her eyes.

Kael watched her.

A moment later, her hand moved toward her sword.

“Three.”

“Three what?”

“Three creatures.”

“Where?”

“Behind us.”

Kael turned.

A pair of red eyes appeared between the trees.

Then another.

Then another.

Three Voidborn stepped into the open.

Kael raised the Moonblade.

The creatures attacked.

This time, Kael was ready.

He moved forward.

The first creature jumped.

Kael struck.

The Moonblade destroyed it.

The second attacked from the side.

Lyra’s sword cut through its body.

The third disappeared.

Kael looked around.

“Where did it go?”

“Above!”

Kael looked up.

The creature fell toward him.

Lyra pushed him away.

The creature’s claws struck her shoulder.

“Lyra!”

She fell.

Kael’s heart stopped.

The creature raised its claws again.

Kael’s eyes changed.

The Moonblade exploded with light.

A wave of silver energy pushed the creature away.

Kael ran toward Lyra.

“Are you okay?”

She looked at her shoulder.

Blood.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re bleeding.”

“I noticed.”

Kael looked angry.

“You shouldn’t have pushed me.”

Lyra frowned.

“You were going to die.”

“So?”

“So I didn’t want you to.”

The words escaped before Kael could stop them.

Lyra stared at him.

Kael immediately looked away.

“You’re welcome.”

Lyra smiled.

“You care about me.”

“No.”

“You do.”

“You’re imagining things.”

“You were worried.”

“I was not.”

“You shouted my name.”

“Because you’re annoying.”

“You were scared.”

“I was not.”

Lyra laughed.

Kael looked at her.

“Stop.”

“You’re blushing.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

Kael stood.

“Let’s go.”

Lyra followed.

She was still smiling.

---

As night approached, they reached the city.

It was enormous.

Black towers reached toward the sky.

Strange creatures moved through the streets.

Some looked terrifying.

Others looked almost human.

Kael stared.

“Not all Voidborn are monsters.”

Lyra shook her head.

“They are creatures.”

“Some look human.”

“Looks don’t mean anything.”

Kael watched a small creature carrying food.

It had horns.

But it also had a family.

Children.

A home.

Kael looked at Lyra.

“Maybe they aren’t all evil.”

She didn’t answer.

“Lyra?”

“My father used to say that.”

“That some Voidborn aren’t evil?”

“Yes.”

“What happened to him?”

“He tried to prove it.”

“And?”

Lyra looked away.

“He was killed.”

Kael became quiet.

They entered the city.

Nobody stopped them.

That was strange.

Kael expected an attack.

Instead, people simply watched.

Some whispered.

Others pointed at him.

“Why are they looking at me?”

Lyra’s expression became tense.

“Because they know you.”

“I’ve never been here.”

“Not you.”

She looked at his sword.

“The Moonblade.”

A tall man approached.

He had black hair.

Golden eyes.

And a long coat.

He stopped before Kael.

“Last Moonblade.”

Kael raised his sword.

“Who are you?”

The man smiled.

“My name is Ren.”

“Are you a Voidborn?”

“Yes.”

Kael immediately raised the sword.

Ren laughed.

“If I wanted to kill you, you’d already be dead.”

Lyra stepped forward.

“How do you know him?”

Ren looked at her.

“Your father.”

Lyra froze.

“What about him?”

“He sent me.”

Kael looked at Lyra.

“Your father?”

Ren nodded.

“Your father and Kael’s father are together.”

Kael’s heart stopped.

“Where?”

Ren looked toward the palace.

“The Black Citadel.”

Kael stared.

“Why are they there?”

Ren smiled.

“Because they are preparing for war.”

“Against the Void King?”

“No.”

Kael frowned.

“Then who?”

Ren looked at him.

“You.”

Silence.

Kael’s fingers tightened around his sword.

“Why would they fight me?”

Ren’s expression became serious.

“They aren’t fighting you.”

“Then what?”

“They are preparing you.”

Kael stared.

“For what?”

Ren looked toward the palace.

“To become the next Void King.”

---

Kael couldn’t speak.

The words echoed in his mind.

The next Void King.

It couldn’t be true.

His father had fought the Void.

His father had protected him.

His father had disappeared.

He couldn’t possibly want Kael to become the enemy.

“You’re lying.”

Ren shook his head.

“Ask him yourself.”

“Where is he?”

“In the Black Citadel.”

Kael immediately turned.

“We’re going.”

Lyra grabbed his arm.

“Wait.”

Kael looked at her.

“What?”

“We need a plan.”

“I have one.”

“What?”

“Walk into the palace.”

“That’s not a plan.”

“It has worked before.”

“When?”

Kael thought.

“Never.”

Lyra stared.

“Exactly.”

Ren laughed.

“You two are entertaining.”

Lyra glared at him.

“Stay out of this.”

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because I was ordered to bring you there.”

Kael’s eyes narrowed.

“By who?”

Ren smiled.

“Your father.”

Kael immediately stepped forward.

“Take us.”

Lyra grabbed him.

“Kael.”

“We’ve come this far.”

“We don’t know if we can trust him.”

Ren looked at her.

“Smart girl.”

Kael looked at him.

“Don’t call her that.”

Lyra turned.

“What?”

Kael froze.

“I mean…”

Ren smiled.

“I understand.”

Kael looked away.

Lyra stared at him.

Then she smiled.

---

The Black Citadel stood at the center of the city.

It was enormous.

Its walls were made of black stone.

Red light moved through cracks in the surface.

At the top stood a massive symbol.

The same symbol as Kael’s mark.

The crescent moon surrounded by seven stars.

Kael looked at it.

“Why is my symbol here?”

Ren didn’t answer.

They entered.

Inside was a long hallway.

Portraits covered the walls.

Kael stopped.

The first portrait showed a young man.

He recognized him immediately.

His father.

Kael stared.

“How old was he here?”

Ren answered.

“Twenty.”

Kael moved closer.

Beside his father’s portrait was another.

A woman.

Kael’s mother.

He touched the frame.

“She was here.”

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Twenty years ago.”

Kael turned.

“What happened?”

Ren looked at Lyra.

She shook her head.

“Tell him.”

Ren sighed.

“Your parents came here together.”

Kael froze.

“Why?”

“To stop the Void King.”

“Did they?”

“No.”

“What happened?”

Ren looked at the portraits.

“Your mother stayed.”

Kael’s heart stopped.

“She chose the Void?”

“No.”

“Then why?”

“To protect you.”

Kael stepped backward.

“Everyone keeps saying that.”

Ren’s expression softened.

“Because it’s true.”

Kael looked at him.

“Then where is she?”

Ren pointed toward the top of the tower.

“Waiting.”

---

Kael and Lyra climbed the stairs.

The higher they went, the colder it became.

At the top was a massive door.

Kael stopped.

His hand trembled.

“What if it’s not him?”

Lyra looked at him.

“Then we’ll keep searching.”

“What if he is?”

“Then you’ll have answers.”

Kael looked at her.

“Will you stay?”

Lyra didn’t hesitate.

“Yes.”

“Even if my father is evil?”

“Yes.”

“Even if I’m dangerous?”

“Yes.”

“Even if I become the Void King?”

Lyra stepped closer.

“I won’t let you.”

Kael stared.

“How?”

She touched his chest.

“By reminding you who you are.”

Kael’s heart began beating faster.

“Who am I?”

Lyra looked into his eyes.

“Kael.”

Nothing else.

Just his name.

But somehow…

That was enough.

He smiled.

Then he opened the door.

Inside was a large chamber.

Two people stood beside a window.

A man.

And a woman.

Kael’s breath stopped.

His father turned.

For the first time in eleven years…

Kael saw his face.

Older.

Scarred.

But alive.

“Kael.”

The word broke something inside him.

Kael couldn’t move.

His father walked toward him.

“My son.”

Kael stepped backward.

“Don’t.”

His father stopped.

“You left me.”

“I know.”

“You left my mother.”

“I know.”

“You let me believe you were dead.”

“I had to.”

“Why?”

His father looked at Lyra.

Then at Kael.

“Because I was protecting you.”

Kael’s eyes filled with tears.

“From what?”

His father looked toward the window.

“The Void King.”

Kael stared.

“Arcturus?”

His father nodded.

“He’s waking.”

Kael looked at the Moonblade.

“Then why does he want me?”

His father’s face changed.

“Because the Moonblade is not a weapon.”

“What is it?”

“A key.”

Kael froze.

“A key to what?”

His father whispered:

“The throne of the Void.”

The room went silent.

Kael looked at Lyra.

Then his father.

Then the sword.

“Why me?”

His father stepped closer.

“Because you are the only person who can open the throne.”

Kael’s heart stopped.

“And if I do?”

His father looked at him.

“You become the Void King.”

Kael shook his head.

“No.”

His father continued.

“If you refuse…”

“What?”

“The Void will destroy Aetheria.”

Kael stared.

His father took his hand.

“Son, there is no way to save everyone.”

Kael pulled away.

“There has to be.”

His father looked at Lyra.

“That’s why I brought her here.”

Kael froze.

“What does she have to do with this?”

His father looked at Lyra.

“Everything.”

Lyra became pale.

“Don’t.”

Kael turned toward her.

“Lyra?”

She stepped backward.

His father continued.

“She is the last person who carries the blood of the Moonlight.”

Kael stared.

“What does that mean?”

Lyra closed her eyes.

Kael stepped toward her.

“Lyra.”

She opened her eyes.

Tears were falling.

“I didn’t want you to know like this.”

“Know what?”

She looked at him.

“I am the daughter of the Moonlight Queen.”

Kael froze.

His father spoke quietly.

“Her blood is the only thing that can control the Moonblade.”

Kael looked at Lyra.

“Control me?”

“No.”

Lyra stepped closer.

“Save you.”

Kael stared.

She touched his face.

“If you become the Void King…”

Her voice broke.

“I will have to kill you.”

Silence.

Kael couldn’t breathe.

Lyra’s hand trembled.

“I came here to stop the Void.”

She looked into his eyes.

“But I didn’t know…”

She began crying.

“…that I would fall in love with the person I was supposed to destroy.”

Kael’s heart shattered.

He stepped toward her.

“Lyra.”

She shook her head.

“Don’t.”

“Why?”

“Because if I let myself love you…”

She closed her eyes.

“I won’t be able to kill you.”

Kael took her hand.

“Then don’t.”

Her eyes opened.

“Kael.”

“Don’t kill me.”

He pulled her closer.

“Just stay.”

Lyra stared at him.

“But the Void—”

“Let it come.”

“Your father said—”

“I don’t care.”

Kael looked at his father.

Then at Lyra.

“I spent my entire life believing I was alone.”

His voice trembled.

“Then I found out my father was alive.”

He looked at Lyra.

“And I found you.”

Kael held her hand.

“I’m not becoming a monster.”

The Moonblade began glowing.

A voice echoed through the citadel.

Deep.

Ancient.

Powerful.

“You already are.”

Kael turned.

The windows shattered.

Darkness entered the room.

A figure appeared in the air.

A man wearing a crown of black fire.

His eyes were silver.

His presence alone made the entire castle shake.

Kael’s father stepped forward.

“Arcturus.”

The Void King smiled.

“At last.”

Kael raised his sword.

Arcturus looked at him.

“My successor.”

Kael’s eyes hardened.

“I’ll never become you.”

Arcturus laughed.

“You already carry my blood.”

Kael froze.

His father shouted:

“Don’t listen to him!”

Arcturus looked at Lyra.

“Ask her.”

Kael turned.

“Lyra?”

She looked terrified.

Arcturus smiled.

“Ask her who your real father is.”

Kael stared at her.

Lyra couldn’t speak.

His father stepped forward.

“Arcturus, enough.”

But Arcturus only laughed.

“Tell him.”

Kael looked at Lyra.

“Tell me what?”

She began crying.

Kael’s voice became desperate.

“Lyra.”

She whispered:

“Your father isn’t the man you think he is.”

Kael felt the world disappear.

Arcturus smiled.

“Because the man who raised you…”

He stepped closer.

“…was never your father.”

Kael stared.

“Then who is?”

Arcturus looked directly at him.

“I am.”

The Moonblade fell from Kael’s hand.

And somewhere deep inside the Void…

Something awakened.

To Be Continued…