The First Gate stood open.

Beyond it was not darkness.

It was light.

Endless, blinding light that seemed to stretch beyond the limits of the world.

Lucien stood before it with his sword drawn.

Seraphina remained beside him.

Lyra stared at the doorway, her face pale.

Nethros looked uneasy.

Even Caelan seemed afraid.

The Keeper was the only one who refused to move.

"We shouldn't go through."

Lucien looked back.

"You said this was the only way."

"I said it was a way."

"What's the difference?"

The Keeper's eyes remained fixed on the gate.

"One leads to answers."

"The other may lead to our deaths."

Lucien stepped toward the gate....