The temple began to dissolve, the shadows dissipating into the light. The world outside the temple shifted as well, and the first rays of dawn peeked over the horizon. Mela and Eli stood together at the altar, their hands still clasped, the crystal glowing softly between them.
The Keeper's warning had been true: balance was necessary, not just between light and dark, but within every heart.
They had faced their fears, their own darkness, and emerged stronger for it. Eli had found his way back to himself, no longer bound by the shadows that once controlled him.
Mela turned to him, smiling. "We made it."
Eli grinned back, his eyes no longer tainted by the shadow's grasp. "Together."
As the sun rose higher, Mela and Eli walked from the temple, ready to face whatever adventures awaited them, no longer bound by the fear of darkness or the burden of light. They had learned to embrace both, and with that knowledge, they knew they were unstoppable.