CHAPTER TWELVE
THE POWER OF A HEART
The Heart of Aetheria entered Elara's chest.
She felt everything.
Every emotion in both worlds.
Millions of hearts.
Millions of memories.
Millions of dreams.
She almost collapsed.
Kael caught her.
"Elara!"
She looked at him.
"I can feel everyone."
"Then hold on to me."
She did.
His love became her anchor.
The Heart responded.
Golden light spread across Aetheria.
The Shadow King screamed.
His darkness began disappearing.
But Elara didn't attack him.
She reached toward him.
"You're not beyond saving."
He stared at her.
"You pity me?"
"No."
She smiled.
"I understand you."
A tear appeared in his eye.
The first tear he had shed in centuries.
The darkness disappeared.
The Shadow King fell to his knees.
His true name was revealed.
Elias.
He whispered,
"I had forgotten how to cry."
Elara answered,
"Then cry."
And Elias did.
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