“Now… the Queen belongs to me.”
The monstrous voice thundered through the Heart Forge.
The transformed Guardian floated above the shattered floor.
Black flames poured from his body.
His silver armor was gone.
In its place was living darkness, constantly shifting into twisted faces that screamed without sound.
Sixteen crimson eyes opened across his chest, shoulders, and forehead.
Only one eye remained silver.
One last fragment of the man he had once been.
The Child of Balance stared at him.
Tears filled her eyes.
“You’re still in there.”
The creature laughed.
“A foolish child.”
The silver eye blinked.
For the briefest moment, it looked directly at her.
It was pleading.
Help me.
Then darkness swallowed it again.
The First Dream stepped forward.
His white aura exploded aro
