The creature stood in the shattered doorway.
It was enormous, its black armor fused to its body as if it had grown from the darkness itself. Silver lines pulsed across its chest like veins.
Nobody moved.
Even the ancient creatures outside had fallen silent.
Aria stared at it.
“You said you're the first of the six.”
The creature smiled.
“I am Varek.”
The name seemed to make the air colder.
Elias dropped the ancient scroll.
“No…”
Aria looked at him.
“You know him?”
Elias nodded slowly.
“Every Guardian knows his name.”
Varek's smile widened.
“They used to call me the First Warrior.”
Kaelen raised his sword.
“And now?”
Varek's eyes turned toward him.
“Now they call me the Ancient of War.”
The ground shook.
Aria felt the Eclipse crystal beneath her skin burning.
Varek loo
