Rise of the Dark Book 3 Chapter 29: The Aftermath of Power

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Audio of the Prolouge Rise of The Lost Pantheon

Leo lay on the cavern floor, his chest rising and falling in uneven breaths. The raw energy of the Void still pulsed faintly within him, but it no longer clawed at his soul. It was subdued, bound to his will instead of the other way around. The portal was gone. The darkness had retreated. And yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.

Alex crouched beside him, her face tight with worry. “Leo, talk to me.”

He took a slow breath before answering. “I’m here.”

Kayla exhaled sharply, resting her sword on her shoulder. “Great. Fantastic. Now never do that again.”

Ethan flopped down on a rock nearby. “Agreed. I don’t think my heart can handle another ‘Leo steps into doom’ moment.”

Mira stood back, still watching Leo closely. She wasn’t convinced everything was over, and neither was Alex. There was something in his eyes, something just beneath the surface, like he was still listening to something they couldn’t hear.

The Chainkeeper stepped forward, his golden eyes unreadable. “The Void is bound. But the power inside you has changed. You have changed.”

Leo pushed himself into a sitting position, rubbing his face. “I can feel it. It’s… quieter now.

Like it’s waiting instead of fighting me.”

Mira’s magic flared softly. “Are you sure it’s under control?”

Leo met her gaze. “For now.”

Kayla scoffed. “That’s not exactly comforting.”

The Chainkeeper turned toward the place where the portal had once been. The cavern walls had settled, the runes dimming now that their purpose had been fulfilled. But there was still tension in the air, an unspoken knowledge that this wasn’t the end.

“The war is not yet won,” the Chainkeeper said. “Draven has not yet played his final move.”

Alex straightened. “Draven wanted the Void, and now he doesn’t have it. He won’t take that lightly.”

Ethan rubbed his hands together. “Yeah, I’d like to take a vote on how screwed we are. Show of hands?”

Kayla rolled her eyes. “We fight him. Same as always.”

Leo ran a hand through his hair, exhaustion settling into his bones. “No. Not the same as always.” He stood, his body still sore from the trial. “Draven thought he could use the Void for himself. He failed. But that means he’s going to find another way.”

Mira’s expression darkened. “You think he’s already got a backup plan?”

Leo exhaled. “I think he is the backup plan.”

Silence filled the cavern. The idea was worse than any of them wanted to admit. Draven had spent years manipulating forces beyond the gods, pushing the limits of what was possible. If he couldn’t control the Void, what would he do instead?

Alex turned to the Chainkeeper. “What happens now?”

The god studied them for a long moment. “You have changed the course of fate. The balance is shifting, and the gods will take notice. Some will see you as saviors. Others will see you as threats.”

Ethan sighed. “Awesome. So we’re about to have even more enemies.”

Mira glanced at Leo. “And what about you?”

Leo hesitated. “What about me?”

Kayla folded her arms. “You just walked into the Void and came out in one piece. That doesn’t happen. So what did happen?”

Leo looked at his hands. His golden-dark energy still flickered faintly, but it felt different now.

He wasn’t just containing it anymore. He was part of it. “I took its power. And I made it mine.”

Alex didn’t like the way that sounded. “Leo—”

“I’m fine,” he cut in. “I know what I’m doing.”

Mira’s magic pulsed slightly. “I don’t think that’s true.”

Leo met her gaze, but this time, he didn’t argue.

The Chainkeeper turned toward the cavern entrance. “The gods will call for you soon. The battle for balance is not yet over. Prepare yourselves.”

Kayla scoffed. “We’re always prepared.”

The god gave a small, knowing smile. “Then let us hope that is true.”

Without another word, the Chainkeeper lifted his hand, and in an instant, the cavern’s energy shifted. The god’s form faded into golden light, his presence vanishing like he had never been there at all. The silence he left behind felt heavier than before.

Ethan let out a slow breath. “Well. That was ominous.”

Alex turned back to the others. “We need to move.”

Mira nodded. “We don’t know how long we have before Draven makes his next move.”

Kayla twirled her sword. “Then let’s make our move first.”

Leo stood still, his hands tightening at his sides. He could still feel the power coursing through him, the echoes of the Void settling inside him like a second heartbeat. He knew

Alex was watching him. He knew she was worried.

But there wasn’t time for doubts.

He met her gaze. “Let’s finish this.”

Alex nodded. “Together.”

The Vanguard left the cavern, the weight of what had happened pressing against them. The path ahead was unknown, but they had survived everything thrown at them before. Now, it was time to end this war.

One way or another.