The Hollow Realm was unlike anything Kael or Aria had ever seen.
A sky of fractured glass floated overhead. Rivers of liquid memory flowed through blackened earth. Echoes of forgotten souls swirled around them, whispering secrets from a thousand lifetimes.
And in the distance—at the heart of the dead world—the Throne of Unmaking loomed.
Upon it sat Riven, transformed.
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🐉 Riven's New Form
He was no longer fully human.
His eyes glowed violet, filled with swirling galaxies. Shadowy wings curved behind his back, and fragments of souls clung to his body like burning armor. His voice was layered, like a choir of the damned.
"You came, Kael," he said with a slow, taunting smile. "And you brought her. Perfect."
Aria stood firm beside Kael, her body already weakening from the Realm's pull. "We end this here, Riven. No more death."
Riven laughed. "Death? This is rebirth. I offered you both a place beside me once. But now... I'll just take what I need."
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🕊 The Soul Battle Begins
The battle didn't begin with blades—it began with memories.
Riven struck first, hurling soul echoes at Kael—visions of his parents' murder, his friend's betrayal, and his own moments of weakness.
But Kael endured. His powers surged not from hatred anymore—but from love, grief, and resolve.
Aria fought beside him, using her magic to unravel Riven's soul armor piece by piece.
For a moment, Riven staggered. His body flickered between god and man.
> "You think love makes you strong?" he roared. "Love is why I became this monster!"
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💔 A Sudden Sacrifice
But the Hollow Realm fought back.
Aria collapsed mid-battle. Her soul began fading, threads of light unspooling from her chest.
"No—Aria!" Kael caught her, his hands shaking. "Stay with me!"
Her eyes fluttered. "You're so close… Finish it…"
Riven surged forward, aiming for the kill—but Kael unleashed his final seal, a forbidden power inherited from his clan.
The ground shattered. Flames of silver consumed the throne. Riven screamed—not in pain, but in fear.
> "No! I saw everything! I was supposed to win! I already won!"
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🔥 Riven's Fall
Kael struck the final blow.
His blade pierced Riven's heart—not his body, but his core, the twisted soul that had devoured so many.
Riven collapsed, his god-form crumbling. The sky of the Hollow Realm began to fall in shards around them.
But as he faded, Riven smiled. Blood dripped from his lips as he whispered:
> "You can destroy me, Kael. But something… someone… was watching. I won't be the last. You'll see…"
And with that, Riven vanished into dust.
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🕊 The Cost
Kael turned to Aria—her body now barely clinging to form. Her soul had started to unravel completely.
But instead of fear, she smiled. "You saved the world, Kael…"
"I wanted to save you too," he whispered.
"You did," she said softly, touching his face. "Just not forever."
As the Hollow Realm collapsed, Aria kissed him once more—her form glowing brightly—and then...
She was gone.
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Kael stood alone as the rift closed behind him.
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Back in the real world, days later…
Kael visits the ruins of the Temple of the Rift. He kneels, planting a flower where Aria once stood.
But as he turns to leave, a small child with violet eyes steps from the shadows.
"Hello," the child says. "Do I… know you?"
Kael freezes. Those eyes—he's seen them before.
The child tilts his head. "My name is… Riven. I think."
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