Chapitre 36: Chapter 36: Echoes of the Citadel
The Citadel loomed in the distance, a jagged silhouette carved against the stormy sky. Black spires jutted toward the heavens like skeletal fingers, and the faint hum of dark energy surrounded the air, making every breath feel heavier.
Azarion and Sera stood at the edge of a steep ravine that separated them from the fortress. A narrow stone bridge stretched across the chasm, its surface weathered and cracked, as if daring them to take the first step.
"This is it," Sera said, her voice barely above a whisper. "The heart of the Abyss."
Azarion nodded, his eyes fixed on the Citadel. The whispers in his mind were relentless now, clawing at his thoughts with promises of power and liberation. He gripped the hilt of his sword tighter, the shadows at its edge flickering as though alive.
"Once we cross that bridge," he said, "there's no turning back."
Sera glanced at him, concern etched into her face. "You've been quiet since the fight in the forest. Are you sure you're ready for this?"
He hesitated, the weight of her question settling in his chest. "I don't know if I'm ready. But I don't think we have a choice."
Sera studied him for a moment, then placed a hand on his arm. "You're not alone in this, Azarion. No matter what happens, I'll be with you."
He gave her a faint smile, though his eyes betrayed the storm within. "Let's go."
The two stepped onto the bridge, the ancient stones groaning under their weight. The wind picked up, carrying with it a chilling howl that seemed to come from the depths of the ravine. Below, an endless void churned, its darkness alive with shifting shadows and faint, ghostly figures.
Halfway across the bridge, the whispers grew louder, the voice of the Abyss resonating in Azarion's mind.
"Why fight us? You could wield this power, shape the world as you see fit. Together, we could end this endless struggle."
Azarion clenched his jaw, willing the voice to silence. But as they neared the other side, a figure emerged from the shadows—a man cloaked in black armor, his eyes glowing with the same violet light as the creatures in the forest.
Sera instinctively drew her daggers, stepping in front of Azarion. "Who's this now? Another of the Abyss's puppets?"
The man chuckled, a low, menacing sound. "Puppet? No. I am its will made flesh." He raised a hand, and the shadows around him writhed like living things. "You should have turned back when you had the chance."
Azarion stepped forward, his sword igniting with fire and shadow. "If you're the will of the Abyss, then you know why we're here. Stand aside, or I'll cut through you."
The man's smile widened. "Bold words. But you don't understand the power you face."
With a wave of his hand, the shadows surged forward, forming jagged tendrils that lashed out at them. Sera darted to the side, her blades slicing through the tendrils with precision, while Azarion met them head-on, his sword blazing as it carved through the darkness.
But the man didn't relent. With every tendril they destroyed, more emerged, the air growing thick with an oppressive energy. The bridge trembled beneath them, cracks spreading across its surface.
"Azarion!" Sera shouted, her voice strained. "This guy's not holding back!"
"I can see that," Azarion replied, his focus unwavering. He raised his sword, channeling the fire within him. The shadows around his blade intensified, merging with the flame until it became a swirling vortex of light and darkness.
He unleashed the energy in a powerful arc, the blast tearing through the tendrils and striking the man. The impact sent him skidding back, but he quickly regained his footing, his laughter echoing across the ravine.
"Impressive," the man said, his voice dripping with mockery. "But you've only scratched the surface of what the Abyss can do."
He raised both hands, and the shadows around him erupted, forming a massive, serpentine creature that towered over the bridge. Its glowing eyes fixed on Azarion and Sera, and its roar shook the very air.
Sera's eyes widened. "Okay, that's new."
Azarion tightened his grip on his sword. "Stay close. I'll handle this."
He charged forward, the Eternal Flame blazing as he struck at the creature. Its form twisted and shifted, avoiding his attacks with unnatural speed. Sera darted in and out of the fray, her daggers flashing as she targeted the creature's vulnerable spots.
But the beast was relentless, its massive tail sweeping across the bridge and knocking them both back. Azarion barely managed to stay on his feet, his mind racing. The shadows were stronger here, feeding off the proximity to the Citadel.
The whispers in his mind grew deafening, urging him to give in, to embrace the power fully. For a brief moment, he hesitated.
"You can't win like this," the voice said. "Accept the darkness, and you will have the strength to overcome any foe."
"Azarion!" Sera's voice snapped him back to reality. She was pinned under the creature's tail, struggling to free herself.
With a roar, Azarion unleashed another wave of energy, the fire and shadow intertwining as it struck the creature. This time, the force of the attack shattered its form, the shadows dissipating into the void.
The man in black armor staggered, his connection to the creature severed. Azarion seized the opportunity, closing the distance between them in an instant.
"You should've stayed out of our way," Azarion said, his blade at the man's throat.
The man sneered. "You can't stop what's coming. The Abyss is already inside you. You're no different from me."
Azarion's eyes burned with determination. "Maybe. But I'll never let it control me."
With a swift strike, he ended the man's life. The shadows around them faded, leaving the bridge eerily quiet.
Sera limped over, her expression grim. "That was too close."
Azarion nodded, his gaze fixed on the Citadel. "It's only going to get worse from here."
Together, they stepped off the bridge and into the shadow of the Citadel, the weight of the Abyss pressing down on them like never before.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone