Rajat was even more reluctant to think of leaving the world of light. But Lumin was adamant. "You have to see the truth. You have to know what we are fighting against. And only if you see both worlds can you make the right decision."
Another move, but this time the energy was different. A slight chill spread from the stone, and the dazzling light Luminasia experienced changed to an inverted, stretching experience. It felt like she was sinking under water.
When the sensation stopped, Rajat found herself standing in a completely different place.
There was no fog in the air here, but a dark, green-black haze that swallowed up the light. The ground was black, rocky stone and cracked clay. Above, there was no sky, but the ceiling of the previously experienced dark cave, from which wet, dripping columns hung down. The sounds were here too: distant cries, indistinct croaks, and a heavy, ragged breath.
And then they appeared.
Nox.
They were not as beautiful as the Lumin. Some were lumpy and unyielding, as if cast from a black, oily substance. Some were mere moving shadows, with red or purple eyes within. They did not speak in a courtly manner as the Lumin did. They spoke in hoarse, broken voices, or emanated strong feelings of fear, doubt, and despair. It was an attack of emotion, and Aryan's heart began to pound in it.
A figure, the same one who had come to his window that night, emerged. It was almost a replica of a humanoid, but tall and curvy. "Silver," he said in a ghostly voice. "You are here at last. Welcome... to 'Tenebra.'"
"What do you want?" Silver asked, his voice low in the heavy atmosphere here.
Knox gave a wry laugh. "We want what they want. Existence. But the Lumins are wrong. They only want to see the light. They forget that every light casts a shadow. Every hope hides a fear. Every life is the beginning of a death. We are that shadow. We are that fear. We are the truth they want to suppress."
He began to walk, his long fingers running along the damp wall. "They will tell you that we are destroyers. But we are only bringing balance. We are only... taking food. And now, the wall between these worlds is weakening. With the Bridge Stone, we can break it. We can create a new, truer balance – one where light and darkness are equal. Or... where darkness will ultimately triumph."
He turned back to Silver, his red eyes flashing with pain. "Give us the stone. And you can be a part of this new world. You need not fear. Fear itself is king here."
The temptation was intense. It seemed to be power, truth, and ultimately freedom from all this anxiety by choosing a side. But the peace and light of Lumnesia were fresh in his mind.
"What if I refuse?" Silver asked slowly.
Knox's face (if it could be called a face) contorted. The ghostly laughter stopped. "Then you too will become food."
Suddenly, a flash of heat shot from the stone into Silver's hand. He felt a light-pulse – Lumin. The world of light was calling to him.
Silver gripped the stone tightly, focusing his attention back on Lumnesia. The dark cave began to swirl around him.
"You cannot escape!" Knox roared. "We will find you!"
But it was too late. A wave of light engulfed Silver and pulled him away, leaving the terrifying shadows of Tenebra behind.
He found himself standing back on the soft, shining ground of Lumnesia, still throbbing. Lumin was close to him, concern in his eyes.
Two worlds. Two truths. Two warring factions. And now, Silver knew that only one decision could save him – or lead both worlds to destruction. The stone in his hand was no longer just an object. It was a weapon. And he knew now that he had to use it.