Book Two – Chapter 29
The Gate of Origins
No one moved.
The battlefield fell into an eerie silence as the glowing doorway expanded high above the Hall of Forgotten Kings.
Silver light poured from one side.
Violet darkness flowed from the other.
The two forces circled each other without touching, as though waiting for someone to decide the fate of the world.
"The Gate..." the Tide Empress whispered.
"It has awakened."
Cassiel's face tightened.
"It shouldn't be possible."
"We never brought all the crowns together."
Asterion looked up at the sky, his expression filled not with triumph, but with longing.
"I told you," he said quietly. "I no longer need to steal the crowns."
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The Moon Tree groaned.
Its roots rose from the earth, wrapping around the base of the Gate like silve
