Love Beyond The Cosmos

: "The An

e any she had ever seen. The sky was a deep purple, and the trees

aming with an otherworldly intensity. "Welc

ried to take it all in. "Wh

still in the mortal realm. But do not worry, he wil

but she knew she had to focus on her new s

ce in the distance. "That is the palace of

within. They were unlike any she had ever seen - tall,

the ancient ones sat in council. Aria felt th

ike music. "We have been waiting for you. You

egan to explain the true nat

enge. "You have been chosen to wield the ancient pow

ation. She was ready to face

ng on its lips. "Then let us begin. Your fi

one led her to a shimmering port

e replied. "Face them, and you will emerge stron

rtal. The labyrinth stretched out before her, i

of her past and future. She saw Ryder, his eyes filled with love and l

living thing. Aria realized that she was not just facing h

s blurring together in a dizzying dance. She began to ques

e shadows. It was herself, or rath

he dark Aria sneered. "You'll neve

her ground. "I am worthy," she declared, her voice

inth seemed to shake with its mockin

age. The two Arias clashed, their powers locked in a struggle

er gaining the upper hand. But slowly, Aria began to realize

r dark mirror image. "I accept you," she said, her voice filled

Aria began to fade away. "You have passed the

with exhaustion. The ancient one stood

aced your inner demons and emerged stro

face whatever lay ahead. "I'm r

let us proceed to the next tri

m of primal forces, where the very elements t

round her like a chorus of banshees. The ancient one's voice echo

, the waves stilled. She felt a surge of electricity in the air,

again. "Well done, Aria. But

massive earthquake striking the land. Aria

me erupted from the gro

The winds blew the flames back, the earth stilled its trembling, and

nd emerged on the other side. The ancient on

," it said. "But the final trial is the mo

rself, wonderin

athy, and your love," the ancient one explained. "You must fac

ng of Ryder, of their bon

s Ryder, but his eyes were black as coal, his hear

ria cried, her

. "I am what you made me, Aria.

act fast, to save R

ve and compassion. "Ryder, come back to me

ess sound. "You don't know what I am, Aria,"

I don't care what you've done," she said. "I care ab

returning to their normal warm, golden brown. He lo

hispered. "W

"You were lost, Ryder," she said. "B

filled with warmth. "Well done, Aria.

flow through her. She knew she'd emerged strong

"Aria, you have proven yourself worthy of the ancient powers," it s

stal nestled in velvet. As she touched it, she

s?" she aske

werful artifact, one that will amplify your abilitie

responsibility. She knew that

ed in her mind. "Aria,

yder, his eyes shinin

er comes next," he said, his

one. She had Ryder, she had the ancient

one that would take Aria and Ryder to