Aurdis turned away from the window, her face pale with worry. She sprinted across the chamber and reached Aerchon and Saeldir who were still focusing their energies on maintaining the protective dome. The two Elves looked up, sensing her distress before she even spoke.
"Aerchon, Saeldir!" Aurdis said with trembled voice but she steadied herself, forcing calm into her words. "Something bad might be happening right now. The energy from the battle... it's the same as when Erend fought uncle Laston. It's tearing open a connection to the Chaos Realm again!"
Aerchon's eyes widened and Saeldir's expression became grave. They exchanged a fearful glance. Both remembered vividly the last time the veil between the realms had thinned, threatening to merge the Chaos Realm with Erend's world. That battle had nearly cost them everything.
Aerchon clenched his fists, the weight of the realization sinking in.
"If the Chaos Realm's energy is merging with the power of the Great Calamity..." he trailed off as the horrifying implications took shape in his mind. "We could be dealing with a catastrophe far beyond our capability."
"If the two energies combined, Chaos and the Great Calamity, it could create a rift so powerful, it might not just threaten this world. It could destabilize everything." Saeldir said with darkened face.
His grip tightened and the orb flickered with an anxious pulse as if sensing his their distress.
Aurdis's heart sank at their words, and her eyes darted back to the swirling vortex above and the battle that took place under it. The black lightning continued to crackle and the storm's intensity showed that its getting worse.
"We have to stop it. If we let this go on-"
"But how?" Aerchon interrupted. "We can't just stop their fight. They need to defeat the Harbingers, or they'll bring more immediate harm to our world."
Saeldir nodded in agreement, his eyes fixed on the orb as he channeled his power to keep it stable.
"If we interfere now, we might doom everything sooner," Saeldir said, then he paused, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. "But if we do nothing, the rift could tear reality apart."
Aurdis felt the pressure closing in on her. They were caught between two impossible choices.
"We need to find a way to disrupt the energy flow without weakening Erend and Eccar's fight," she said. "Maybe if we can redirect or absorb some of the power—"
"I understand. This is dangerous, but it must be done," said the king. Creating something that could contain that much chaotic energy is indeed dangerous.
Aurdis quickly explained their plan, outlining the spell they needed to cast. The king listened intently, his face hardening.
"We'll have to combine our Magic," she said. "It will take all our strength to create a vessel strong enough to contain the chaos."
Then, King Gulben said with resolute expression. "You don't need to do it. I alone will handle this."
Aurdis, Aerchon, and Saeldir all stared at him, a mix of concern and disbelief etched across their faces. Aurdis opened her mouth to protest but the determination in her father's eyes stopped her. His gaze was unwavering the strength of a leader who had faced countless threats before.
"I will create the vessel to hold the chaotic Magic," he continued. "And I promise it will not endanger my life. I still have a duty to lead and protect our people."
Before anyone could reply, King Gulben turned and strode toward the exit. His shoulders were squared. He had already made up his mind.
Aurdis took a step forward and ready to follow him, but Aerchon gently placed a hand on her arm, stopping her.
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"Aurdis, we need to trust him," he said softly. "Our father is wise. If he says he can do this alone, then we must believe him."
Aurdis hesitated, her eyes locked on the doorway where her father had disappeared. She felt the weight of her worry, but she knew Aerchon was right.
"You're right. I believe him," she finally whispered, her voice filled with a mixture of hope and resolve.
With that, they remained where they were, their focus shifting back to the protective dome as they continued to uphold their duty, trusting everything to their King.
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