The air around the Crystal Tower became strangely quiet.
Aren held the Starblade tightly as the last piece of the Celestial Key floated above his hand. Blue and silver light circled around it, forming an ancient symbol that none of them had ever seen.
Lyria stepped closer.
"That's not just a key," she whispered. "It's opening something."
The ground shook.
Far beneath the tower, a massive stone gate slowly rose from the earth. It was covered with glowing stars that moved like living creatures across the black surface.
Kael looked at the ancient writings.
"The Gate of Eternity," he said. "I thought it was only a legend."
Suddenly, a cold voice echoed through the valley.
"It should have remained a legend."
A shadow appeared on top of the gate.
It was the mysterious warrior from the ruined temple—the one who had watched Aren from the darkness.
This time, his face was visible.
A long scar crossed one eye, and around his neck hung the same silver pendant that Aren had worn since childhood.
Aren stared in shock.
"Who are you?"
The stranger slowly removed his hood.
"My name is Orion Vale."
Silence filled the valley.
"I am the first Guardian of the Broken Stars..."
He looked directly into Aren's eyes.
"...and I am your older brother."
Lyria gasped.
"That's impossible. Aren's family died years ago."
Orion shook his head.
"That's what the Star King wanted everyone to believe. He hid me beyond the Gate of Eternity because he feared the prophecy."
Kael stepped forward.
"What prophecy?"
Orion pointed to the glowing gate.
"When the last broken star returns to the sky, two brothers will stand before the Gate. One will save the kingdom."
His voice became heavy.
"And the other will destroy it."
The stars above them suddenly darkened.
A crack appeared across the sky.
From inside the gate came the roar of an ancient creature, a sound so powerful that the mountains trembled.
Orion drew a sword made of black crystal.
"We don't have much time," he said.
"The Dark Constellation has awakened... and it knows that you have found me."
Aren looked at the gate, then at the brother he had never known.
For the first time since his journey began, he wondered if destiny had chosen the wrong hero.
And deep inside the darkness beyond the gate, two burning red eyes slowly opened.
**To be continued part-34...**