WAR CHRONICLES: THE NORTHERN CROWN AND THE ANIMORPHIC DEMON-WINGS
The air in the grand chamber of Kandrakar hung thick with the scent of ozone and burning parchment. Sunlight filtered through the stained-glass high above, casting fractured hues across the ancient stone floor where Prince Phobos stood, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
Beside him, Diaz gasped for air, clutching a wound at his side as he struggled to keep his footing.
"Don't be rash, Prince Phobos!" Diaz exclaimed, his voice raw with strain. "Try to remain still and stay awake!"
Phobos didn't turn. His gaze was fixed on the shimmering rift tearing open in the center of the hall—a tear in reality itself that pulsated with an blinding, unnatural light.
“We’re sorry, Master… we weren’t able to reach the Codex in time,” a chorus of spectral voices whispered, echoing through the chamber as if traveling across centuries. “Give heed to this warning, humankind: the creature of destruction will appear from the illuminating world, revealing his sacred wings, and hide himself among the people when the three sacred planets align…”
Phobos frowned, his dark eyes narrowing. "I thought I heard a voice echoing in the distance..." He lowered his head, a shadow falling over his face as memories rushed back—the light, the sacrifice, the terrible truth kept hidden from him for far too long. "She sacrificed herself to save me... Why’d you keep it from me for so long?"
"It was to protect you, Phobos!" Diaz pressed his hand firmer against his side, taking a cautious step forward. "You weren't ready for the truth—none of us were!"
Phobos spun around, his cold gaze piercing through his former advisor. "You don't intend to fight me, do you, Diaz?"
"If it keeps you from throwing your life away, I will," Diaz ground out, raising a trembling blade.
"Whosoever interferes with me will return to nothingness," Phobos warned, a dangerous, low hum of dark energy gathering in the palm of his hand. "Though I have assumed this form, I am not human. You may be the fear of death that permeates the darkness, but I am the unbridled chaos of war."
Before the magic could detonate between them, a sudden blinding flash of cherry-blossom light burst through the center of the room, washing away the oppressive darkness.
From the light stepped a young girl holding a glowing staff, her eyes filled with unwavering resolve. Floating beside her, a strange winged construct held open a ancient tome bound in crimson and gold.
"Sakura Avalon," a resonant, celestial voice echoed through the high vaults of Kandrakar. "From now on, the Clow Book will bear your name. You are about to embark on a treacherous journey."
"Scarface added his mark as well," a gruff voice echoed from the shadows near the balcony, watching the alignment of the stars through the shattered roof. "From this day forward, Kandrakar will bear your name."
The heavy oak doors of the chamber swung wide, breaking the tense standoff.
Will Vandom strode into the room, the Heart of Kandrakar pulsing violently against her chest like a second, furious heartbeat. Flanking her were her siblings, their expressions set in grim determination.
Behind them walked Queen Elyion, her royal cloak trailing behind her, her eyes fixed entirely on her brother.
"Will Vandom," Elyion said softly, her voice carrying a quiet authority that cut through the lingering magic in the air.
Will stepped forward, looking between Phobos, Sakura, and the darkening sky outside where three distant, golden planets were sliding into a precise, ominous line.
"It's starting," Will said, holding up the Heart as it cast a protective barrier around the group. "The planets are aligning, Phobos. If we spend our time fighting each other, the creature of destruction will walk right into our world—and none of us will survive to see tomorrow."
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