Kapitel 19: Chapter 19: The Awakening Flame
The blinding light faded, leaving Azarion and Sera standing in the center of the chamber. The Shard of Destiny hovered inches above Azarion's hand, its radiant glow dimming slightly as if acknowledging its new master.
For a moment, the world felt still, almost serene. The oppressive air of the Veil seemed to lift, and an unexpected warmth spread through the chamber.
Sera let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "It's beautiful," she murmured, her eyes transfixed by the shard.
Azarion nodded, his grip firm as the shard settled into his palm. "But its power is overwhelming." His voice was steady, but a flicker of unease crossed his face.
Sera's gaze shifted to him, her brows furrowing. "Do you feel... different?"
Azarion clenched his fist around the shard, his body radiating faint traces of energy. "It's hard to explain. It's like a fire burning deep inside me—one I can't fully control yet."
Before Sera could respond, the chamber began to tremble. The walls cracked, and the blue flames lining the bridge outside flickered violently. The air filled with an ominous hum that grew louder with every passing second.
"We need to leave!" Sera shouted, grabbing Azarion's arm.
Azarion turned, his instincts screaming danger. "Something's coming."
As they sprinted back toward the bridge, the doorway they had entered through crumbled, and the chamber behind them collapsed into the void. The obsidian platform trembled under their feet as jagged tendrils of shadow emerged from the abyss, clawing toward them.
One of the tendrils lashed out, striking the edge of the bridge and sending chunks of stone plummeting into the darkness. Sera stumbled but regained her footing, her eyes wide with fear.
"What's happening?!" she yelled, loosing an arrow at one of the tendrils. It struck true but dissipated into nothingness.
Azarion stopped in his tracks, turning to face the growing threat. The shard in his hand pulsed, and a burst of energy rippled outward, forcing the tendrils to retreat momentarily.
"They're drawn to the shard," he said, his voice grim. "We've awakened something."
The bridge ahead began to collapse, forcing them to leap across gaps in the crumbling structure. The shadows pursued them relentlessly, their movements faster and more aggressive with each passing moment.
Azarion gritted his teeth, holding the shard tightly. Its energy surged through him, filling him with both strength and pain. He raised his free hand, and a wave of light erupted from his palm, slashing through the tendrils.
Sera glanced back, her expression a mix of awe and concern. "Azarion, what are you doing?"
"Just keep moving!" he shouted, his focus locked on the approaching shadows.
As the last of the bridge crumbled behind them, they reached the end of the path—a circular platform surrounded by the swirling void. At the center of the platform stood another archway, glowing faintly with runes.
Sera darted toward the archway, but a massive tendril slammed down in front of her, cutting off their escape. Azarion stepped forward, the shard in his hand glowing brighter than ever.
"Enough!" he roared, raising the shard high.
The energy within the shard erupted, creating a dome of light around them. The tendrils writhed and screeched, their forms dissolving as the light intensified. The platform beneath them stabilized, the cracks sealing as the shadows retreated.
Sera shielded her eyes from the brilliance. When the light finally dimmed, she lowered her arm, her breath catching.
The tendrils were gone, and the void had settled into an uneasy stillness. Azarion stood at the center of the platform, the shard dimming in his hand. His shoulders sagged, exhaustion evident in his posture.
Sera approached him cautiously. "Azarion... are you okay?"
He nodded, though his expression was strained. "The shard's power... it's dangerous, Sera. I can feel it trying to consume me."
Sera placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice firm. "You're stronger than it. Whatever this power is, we'll figure it out together."
Azarion met her gaze, the weight of his responsibility clear in his eyes. "This is only the beginning, isn't it?"
Before Sera could answer, the archway behind them shimmered, the runes glowing brightly. A low hum filled the air, and the portal opened, revealing a lush green forest bathed in golden sunlight.
Sera's eyes widened. "Is that... the surface?"
Azarion stared at the portal, a flicker of hope crossing his face. "It looks like it."
Without another word, they stepped through the archway, leaving the crumbling Veil behind. The warmth of the sunlight washed over them, a stark contrast to the cold darkness they had endured.
But as they took their first steps into the forest, a distant roar echoed through the trees, sending a chill down their spines.
Their journey was far from over, and the true battle was just beginning.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein