THE HEART OF THE VOID
The roar echoed again.
Deeper this time.
Closer.
The sound didn’t just travel through the air—it vibrated through the ground, through Aria’s body, through the very power inside her.
She froze.
“…What is that?”
The Void Lord didn’t turn around.
For the first time, its voice carried something unfamiliar.
Respect.
“…The heart of this world.”
Aria’s silver eyes narrowed.
“That doesn’t sound like something I want to meet.”
The creature continued walking.
“You must.”
The darkness around them grew thicker as they moved deeper into the Void.
The twisted structures in the distance became larger—massive ruins that looked like the remains of something ancient and broken.
The ground pulsed more strongly here.
Like a heartbeat.
Aria could feel it clearly now.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
Each pulse sent a ripple through the world.
Through her.
The Primordial voice inside her spoke again.
This is where the gate draws its power.
Aria’s steps slowed slightly.
“The source…”
The Void Lord nodded.
“Yes.”
Another roar echoed.
This time it carried a wave of force that pushed against her silver aura.
She steadied herself.
“Whatever that is… it’s alive.”
The Void Lord finally stopped.
They stood at the edge of something massive.
Aria stepped forward slowly.
Then she saw it.
Her breath caught.
At the center of the Void—
A colossal structure rose from the ground.
It looked like a throne.
But not one made for any human or wolf.
It was carved from dark stone, jagged and twisted, towering like a mountain.
And wrapped around it—
Was something alive.
A massive entity coiled around the throne.
Its body was endless, spiraling around the structure like a living chain.
Black and violet energy pulsed through its form.
Its eyes were closed.
But the moment Aria stepped closer—
They opened.
Two enormous glowing eyes stared down at her.
Rowan’s voice echoed faintly in her memory.
We’re dead.
Aria swallowed.
“…That’s the heart?”
The Void Lord stepped beside her.
“Yes.”
The creature’s voice lowered.
“The first being of the Void.”
The massive entity shifted slightly.
Its movement alone caused the entire world to tremble.
Its voice came next.
Not spoken.
Felt.
A deep, crushing presence that filled Aria’s mind.
“Primordial…”
Aria staggered slightly.
The force of that single word nearly broke her focus.
Her silver power surged instinctively to protect her.
“You can speak too…”
The massive being’s eyes burned brighter.
“You carry his power.”
The Primordial spirit inside her responded.
Not in words.
But in presence.
The air around Aria thickened with ancient energy.
The Void Lord stepped back slightly.
Even it showed caution now.
The being coiled tighter around the throne.
“The one who sealed us…”
Aria steadied herself.
“Yes.”
The creature’s gaze sharpened.
“He died.”
Aria’s voice was calm.
“And I’m here.”
Silence followed.
Then—
The massive being shifted again.
Uncoiling slightly from the throne.
The ground cracked beneath its movement.
“Then you came to finish what he started.”
Aria nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
The creature’s glowing eyes dimmed slightly.
Not with weakness.
With thought.
Then it spoke again.
“You cannot.”
Aria’s jaw tightened.
“Why not?”
The answer came immediately.
“Because the seal was never meant to be permanent.”
Her eyes widened.
“What?”
The Void Lord spoke quietly from behind her.
“The First Wolf did not destroy the Void.”
“It only delayed it.”
Aria’s chest tightened.
“That’s not true.”
The massive being’s voice echoed again.
“Every seal weakens.”
The ground pulsed violently beneath them.
The massive creature lifted its head higher.
“And now…”
Its glowing eyes locked onto Aria.
“…you have opened the path again.”
Aria shook her head.
“I didn’t open it.”
The Void Lord answered calmly.
“No.”
“It was opened for you.”
Her breath caught.
“…What?”
The massive being’s presence grew heavier.
Pressing down on her.
“The Blood Emperor only began it.”
Aria’s mind raced.
“Then who—”
The being interrupted.
“Your existence completed it.”
Silence.
Cold.
Heavy silence.
The Primordial voice inside her finally spoke again.
But this time—
It sounded shaken.
You were never meant to awaken… here.
Aria’s hands clenched.
“No.”
The massive being leaned forward slightly.
The entire Void trembled.
“You are the key.”
Her voice dropped.
“To closing it.”
The creature’s eyes burned brighter.
“To opening it completely.”
Aria froze.
The truth hit her all at once.
Her power…
The gate…
Everything connected.
The Void Lord stepped closer again.
“And now that you are here…”
Its glowing eyes fixed on her.
“There is nothing left to stop it.”
The massive being began uncoiling further.
Its enormous body rising higher and higher above the throne.
The entire Void shook violently.
Aria’s silver power surged instinctively.
But for the first time—
She felt something else.
Doubt.
Because if what they said was true—
Then stopping the gate…
Might mean destroying herself.
The massive being’s voice echoed one last time.
“Choose, Primordial.”