Inferno Of Desire

Chapter 60: The Last Preparations

The tension in the air was palpable as both realms gathered, still in the vast chamber of the Sanctuary. It was a space unlike any other, a nexus point between the Celestial Realm and the Abyss where light and shadow mingled, a fitting place for a meeting of two realms that had once stood on opposite ends of the spectrum.

Now, united in purpose, Celestials and Abyssals alike waited with bated breath for the final plan to unfold.

At the center of it all, Elder Varyn, the wise and revered teacher from the Celestial Realm, stood before the gathered leaders of both realms.

His silver robes flowed like liquid light, and his presence radiated an authority that demanded attention. His gaze swept over the crowd.

“Today, we face a force unlike any before,” Varyn began, his voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of urgency. “The Voidbringer is not merely a beast to be slain but a force of chaos itself – the Void. To defeat it, we must bind it, and for that, you all must learn the Aeterna Vinculum.”

He turned his gaze toward the Celestials and Abyssals, their differences now a distant memory as they stood ready to fight together. Varyn’s voice grew firmer as he continued, “The Aeterna Vinculum is no ordinary spell. It requires the unison of light and darkness, celestial, and abyssal forces working in harmony. There can be no division, no hesitation. This spell will weave chains of both realms’ essence, fire, light, and shadow to trap the Voidbringer within a physical form, rendering it vulnerable.”

He stepped forward, raising his hands as the chamber began to hum with power.

His voice, now resonating with ancient magic, began to chant, and slowly, the gathered warriors followed suit, their voices mingling as one.

Celestial light intertwined with the dark energies of the Abyss, creating a glowing sigil that floated above them.

“This is only the beginning,” Varyn said, lowering his hands as the sigil hovered, pulsing with energy. “When the time comes, you will surround the Voidbringer, forming a circle, and this incantation will trap it in place. But be warned — this will require perfect harmony. Even a moment of discord, and the spell will fail.”

He looked at each of them, his eyes locking with Azrael’s for a brief moment. “You, Azrael, hold the key to this battle.”

Azrael gave a curt nod, his fiery eyes betraying the weight he felt on his shoulders.

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In Private: Zephyros and Azrael

As the Celestial and Abyssal forces continued to practice their chant under Elder Varyn’s guidance, Zephyros came in and quietly motioned for Azrael to follow him.

They slipped away from the crowd, the ambient hum of the spell fading as they made their way through the winding corridors of the Sanctuary until they reached a secluded chamber, dark and silent.

Zephyros closed the door behind them, his expression unreadable. His mismatched eyes, one dark as the void and the other shimmering with celestial light, fixed on Azrael. “The time has come,” he said, his voice low and steady.

From beneath his cloak, Zephyros produced the Anchor of Eternity. The scythe’s twin blades — one gleaming with radiant golden light and the other forged of pure, consuming darkness — shimmered in the dim light. Its long, ancient handle was crafted from a dark, unbreakable metal that seemed to pulse with power.

At the center, the glowing crystal orb at the heart of the weapon pulsed gently, as if sensing the approaching battle.

“Azrael,” Zephyros began, stepping forward, “this is no ordinary weapon. The Anchor of Eternity was forged from the remnants of a dying star, imbued with the essence of both creation and destruction. It is the only weapon capable of imprisoning the Voidbringer. But it will test you.”

Azrael reached out, his hand hovering just above the scythe. He could feel the energy radiating from it, the weight of its power. His voice was quiet but resolute. “I am ready.”

Zephyros nodded, though a flicker of doubt crossed his face. “This weapon is alive in its own way. It chooses its wielder, and it has chosen you because you walk the line between light and darkness. But remember, it will demand balance. If you falter, it will turn on you.”

Azrael's grip tightened on the scythe’s handle, feeling its weight settle in his hands. “I will not fail.”

Zephyros studied him for a long moment before nodding slowly. “Then go. The battle approaches, and the Voidbringer is stirring.”

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Final Strategy

Back in the main chamber, Uriel stepped forward, his celestial wings glowing with a faint light as he addressed the gathered forces. “The Celestial Realm will send word to our armies. They will descend into the Sanctuary to join the fight. Prepare yourselves.”

He motioned to Tarian, who quickly sent word through a shimmering portal to the Celestial armies, stationed in their distant realms. “We will meet in the Sanctuary, ready to confront this threat together.”

As Uriel gave his orders, Zephyros entered the room once more, his face grim. “There is no time. The Voidbringer has broken free from its prison in the Veil of Forgotten Worlds.”

A collective gasp rippled through the room, and Varyn’s calm demeanor faltered for the briefest of moments. “What do you mean?” the elder asked, his voice tense.

Zephyros’ eyes darkened. “The seals are broken. The Voidbringer is no longer fully contained. It has begun to stir, and soon, it will start unraveling the realms. We must move now, or it will be too late.”

Azrael exchanged a glance with Seraphine, his grip tightening around the scythe. “Then we act now,” he declared. “No more waiting. We take the battle to the Voidbringer.”

Varyn nodded, his ancient eyes filled with a deep sadness. “Then it is time.”

Both realms exited the Nexus Sanctuary after bidding farewell to Zephyros. Now, they journeyed to the Sanctuary in the Abyss to meet with the Celestial armies.
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The Celestial Army Arrives

It wasn’t long before the shimmering light of a thousand celestial beings filled the halls of the Sanctuary.

The Celestial army, led by the Archangels, had descended from their realm, their golden armor gleaming, and weapons shining with holy light. They were a force of purity and strength, a stark contrast to the shadowed forms of the Abyssals who stood waiting in the gloom.

But despite their differences, they stood together, side by side, ready for the battle ahead.

Varyn raised his hand, conjuring a map of the Abyssal landscape. “Accordung to The Oracle, the Voidbringer is at the heart of the Abyss, beneath the shifting sands of the Abyssal Crucible. We will march there, but once we arrive, the battle will begin immediately. There will be no time for hesitation.”

The combined forces of both realms nodded, steeling themselves for the fight.

“Let us move,” Michael commanded, his wings unfurling, ready to lead the Celestials out of the Sanctuary.

Aethor unfurled his wings too, ready to lead the Abyssal forces forward.

Azrael steeled himself, Seraphine by his side. Behind them, the army of Celestials and Abyssals took flight as one - they didn't have the luxury of time to walk.

They ventured deeper into the heart of the Abyss, where the Voidbringer awaited.

The final battle was upon them.