"Eryx!"
Kael's voice echoed through the dying realm.
Nothing answered.
The place where his brother had stood was empty.
Kael turned toward the enormous silhouette emerging from the Origin.
"Where did you take him?"
The being remained silent.
Then the crown of burning stars above its head began to rotate.
"He was returned to where he belongs."
Kael's fists tightened.
"Bring him back."
"He was never yours to keep."
Kael's aura exploded.
White.
Black.
Silver.
All three energies surged through his body.
"You don't get to decide that."
The Origin stared at him.
"You still carry the same defiance."
Kael froze.
"You remember me?"
"I remember everything."
The Origin raised one hand.
A massive image appeared in the darkness.
Kael saw himself and Eryx as children.
Running through fields beneath newborn stars.
Laughing.
Fighting.
Learning.
Then the vision changed.
He saw Eryx standing before the Origin.
The young boy was crying.
"I'll give you anything."
The Origin had answered.
"Anything?"
Eryx nodded.
"Just let him live."
Kael's breathing stopped.
The vision disappeared.
"You sacrificed yourself for me..."
His voice cracked.
The Origin answered.
"Your brother chose willingly."
Kael shook his head.
"He was a child."
"So were you."
Silence.
The creator suddenly stepped forward.
"You see now why I feared your survival."
Kael turned.
"You."
The creator looked toward the Origin.
"You were created from my power."
"But the Firstborn changed you."
"They gave you something the Origin never possessed."
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"What?"
The creator smiled.
"Choice."
Kael looked at his hands.
The Origin spoke again.
"That is why you are dangerous."
Kael looked up.
"Because I can choose?"
"Because you can reject your purpose."
The realm shook.
A massive silver door appeared behind the Origin.
Within it...
Kael could see Eryx.
He was standing alone.
Surrounded by countless stars.
Kael stepped forward.
"Eryx!"
His brother looked up.
"Kael!"
Kael tried to reach him.
An invisible barrier stopped him.
The Origin spoke.
"You want your brother back."
"Yes."
"Then choose."
Kael's expression hardened.
"What choice?"
The Origin raised two hands.
On one side appeared Eryx.
On the other...
The First World.
Millions of lives.
The Guardians.
The Harbinger.
Nox.
Even Aetherion.
Kael stared.
"Save your brother."
The image of Eryx brightened.
"Or save the universe."
Kael's heart sank.
Eryx immediately shook his head.
"Don't choose me!"
Kael stared at him.
"I won't lose you again."
Eryx shouted.
"Kael!"
The barrier between them began closing.
The Origin remained silent.
Waiting.
The creator watched from the shadows.
Aetherion's voice suddenly reached Kael through the Core.
"There is another choice."
Kael looked toward him.
"What?"
Aetherion answered.
"Choose neither."
The Origin's head turned.
For the first time...
It reacted with surprise.
Kael slowly smiled.
"That's exactly what I'll do."
The three energies within Kael erupted.
White.
Black.
Silver.
They merged into a force unlike anything the Origin had ever seen.
The realm began collapsing.
The creator stared in disbelief.
"What are you doing?"
Kael raised his hand.
"I'm making my own choice."
The barrier shattered.
Eryx was thrown forward.
Kael caught him.
The Origin's voice thundered.
"YOU CANNOT REJECT THE CHOICE!"
Kael held his brother tightly.
"Watch me."
The entire realm exploded with light.
And for the first time...
The Origin began to crack.