Maya's escape from the Shadow King's throne room had been costly—she bore new scars from shadow-wraiths, and Elena's betrayal weighed heavily on her heart. But she had learned something crucial: the Crystal of Echoes, the artifact that had originally separated the realms, still existed. Hidden deep within the Whispering Caverns of her own world, the Crystal had been guarded for generations by the Order of the Silver Dawn. Maya had always thought them to be mere legend, but as she stood before their ancient sanctuary, she realized how wrong she had been. "You seek the Crystal," said Master Aldric, the Order's eldest guardian. His eyes were milky white with age, but they seemed to see straight through to her soul. "But do you understand the price of using it?" Maya knelt before the altar where the Crystal rested—a magnificent gem that seemed to contain entire galaxies within its faceted surface. "The Shadow King plans to merge the realms. Millions will die, or worse, become trapped in his shadow realm forever." "The Crystal can indeed seal the barriers permanently," Aldric said, his voice heavy with sorrow. "But it requires a soul willingly given, someone who exists in both realms simultaneously. Your sister's transformation has created such a bridge." The implication hit Maya like a thunderbolt. "You're saying Elena would have to die." "Not die," Aldric corrected. "Sacrifice her existence in both realms to become the eternal guardian of the barrier. She would cease to be Elena, becoming instead a force of pure will holding the worlds apart." Maya's hands trembled as she reached toward the Crystal. Its surface was warm to the touch, and she could feel the immense power contained within. But she could also sense something else—a presence that felt familiar. "There is another way," a voice whispered, and Maya gasped as she recognized it. Their mother's spirit appeared in the Crystal's reflection, translucent but unmistakably real. "The Shadow King believes the Crystal can only seal or merge the realms," her mother continued. "But there is a third option, one that requires both sisters working together. You can rewrite the very nature of the barrier, making it permeable to love and light while remaining impervious to shadow and malice." Maya felt hope kindle in her chest for the first time since this nightmare began. But first, she would have to reach Elena, and convince her sister that their bond was stronger than the Shadow King's influence.