The world above Elyndor was changing.
The stars no longer stayed in their places. Every night, more of them drifted across the sky like lost souls searching for a home.
Aren stood at the edge of the ancient cliff, the Star Crown resting in his hands. Its light had become dim, as if it too was afraid.
Lyria stepped beside him.
"The last gate is opening," she whispered.
Far beyond the mountains, a pillar of silver light rose into the heavens. The ground trembled, and the wind carried a voice that neither of them had heard before.
"Return what was stolen... or watch the stars die forever."
Kael tightened his grip on his sword.
"We don't have much time."
The three friends began their journey toward the Silver Gate, an ancient place that had been erased from every map. Along the way, they found abandoned villages where the night never ended. The people stared at the sky in silence, waiting for a dawn that never came.
When they finally reached the gate, they discovered something impossible.
A giant crystal stood in the center of the ruins.
Inside the crystal... was another Aren.
The mysterious figure opened his eyes.
"You should never have survived the Falling Light," he said calmly.
Lyria stepped back in shock.
"Who are you?"
The stranger smiled.
"I am the first Star Bearer. And I am the reason your kingdom is breaking."
Suddenly, the crystal shattered.
A wave of dark energy exploded across the ruins, and thousands of broken stars filled the sky like burning rain.
Aren raised the Star Crown, but its light faded completely.
The stranger walked toward him.
"You think you can save Elyndor," he said. "But every star you restore will cost a human soul."
The sky cracked open.
And for the first time in history...
The moon disappeared.
**To be continued in Part 22...**