Chapter 71: Shattered Illusions

Lyra's POV

The ancient forest thrums with primordial magic as we race against time. Xander, Elara, and I weave through towering trees, their trunks wider than houses. The air crackles with energy, a storm of cosmic proportions brewing overhead.

"There!" Xander shouts, pointing to a clearing ahead.

We burst into the open space, and my breath catches in my throat. A massive stone circle dominates the area, each monolith pulsing with otherworldly light. At its center, a vortex of dark energy swirls ominously, growing larger by the second.

"The Void Rift," Elara breathes, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and fascination. "It's already begun to open."

I can feel the pull of it, a siren song of chaos and destruction that makes my skin crawl. "How do we stop it?" I ask, my voice trembling slightly.

Xander's jaw sets with determination. "We seal it. Together."

As one, we step into the circle. The moment our feet cross the threshold, power surges through me. I gasp, nearly stumbling as th