Bab 7: Revelations in the Shadows
The group moved slowly through the depths of the tunnel, their footsteps faintly echoing against the damp walls. The atmosphere was becoming increasingly oppressive, not only due to the darkness but also because of the mysteries that seemed to hang in the very air, permeating every stone with untold stories. Conversations were rare, each person lost in their thoughts, analyzing the shifting energies around them.
As they progressed, Aelion couldn't help but cast furtive glances at Liraë. Something about her intrigued him deeply: her mastery of ancient magic, her calm in the face of danger, and especially her gaze, imbued with a wisdom far beyond her years. Elindor, for his part, was an enigma even harder to decipher. He radiated a quiet power, a presence both reassuring and imposing, as if he had witnessed far more than he let on.
Kaelith, ever on guard, observed the two strangers with a certain reserve. The young warrior knew that appearances could be deceiving, especially in a place as full of mysteries as these forgotten tunnels. Yet part of him could not deny the evident skill of Liraë and Elindor, potential allies in a quest where enemies were becoming increasingly formidable.
After a long stretch of silent walking, the cavern around them began to change. The walls, previously made of rough rock, gradually transformed into polished stones adorned with intricate patterns, as if the tunnels were leading them toward an ancient, more elaborate underground structure.
"These stones…" Aelion murmured, his fingers brushing over the carvings. "They're marked by ancient magic, different from what we've encountered so far."
Elindor stopped as well, observing the carvings with a thoughtful expression. "Yes, this magic dates back to times long before the fall of human civilizations. It belongs to the Ancients, those who shaped this world long before the elves arrived."
Kaelith, staying alert, frowned. "And you seem to know a lot about this, Elindor. You and your granddaughter, you're not just simple travelers, are you?"
Liraë, who had remained silent until now, turned her blue eyes toward Kaelith. "We have our secrets, just as you have yours, Kaelith. We were trained to understand and wield this magic, but we're not here to boast about it. We have a mission, just as you do."
Sensing the tension between Kaelith and Liraë, Aelion calmly intervened. "Mistrust is natural in a place like this, but we need to keep our common goal in mind. Everyone's past is important, but what we do here and now is what really matters."
Liraë looked at Aelion with a glimmer of appreciation in her eyes. "You're right, Aelion. We should work together to achieve our goals."
Elindor nodded in agreement. "Aelion speaks with wisdom. These tunnels are not places where we can afford to be divided. We have more to gain by trusting each other than by suspecting one another."
Kaelith, though still cautious, nodded in agreement. "Alright, for now. But I'm keeping an eye on you."
The group resumed their journey, the tensions easing slightly but remaining in the background, ready to resurface at the first sign of danger. The tunnels, increasingly transformed, now revealed carved arches, columns adorned with symbols that glowed faintly in the darkness. The ambient temperature cooled, and the air, though still heavy with magic, seemed purer, as if they were approaching something sacred.
Suddenly, Liraë slowed her pace and stopped completely, her eyes fixed on a point ahead of them. "Wait… I sense something."
Aelion stopped as well, straining to hear what Liraë had detected. A faint whisper, like a distant breath, became audible. It wasn't a human voice but rather a chant, ancient and melodic, that resonated faintly through the tunnels.
"What is that?" Kaelith asked, squinting to try to discern where the sound was coming from.
Elindor, his face serious, replied, "It's the Song of the Ancients. A call that only manifests in places of great power. We are close to something very old, something that could be related to our quest."
Liraë turned to Aelion and Kaelith. "We should be ready to face whatever awaits us. This song can be both a blessing and a warning."
Aelion nodded, feeling the growing intensity of the surrounding magic. "Let's prepare ourselves. We don't know what we'll find, but we must stay united."
They continued to move forward, their steps more cautious as they neared the source of the song. The tunnel suddenly widened to reveal an immense chamber, much larger than any they had passed through before. In the center of this chamber, a large stone fountain, surrounded by imposing statues depicting figures part-human, part-animal, emitted a soft, soothing light. The water flowing from it seemed to vibrate in time with the song, creating luminous waves that spread throughout the room.
Aelion approached the fountain cautiously, his eyes wide at the magnificence of the place. "This is incredible… This chamber is a true sanctuary."
Liraë, fascinated, placed a hand on the edge of the fountain. "This place… I feel a deep connection with the magic that resides here. There's something here that's waiting to be revealed."
Elindor, standing back, observed the scene with intense focus. "This fountain is more than just an ornament. It holds an ancient memory, a fragment of the past. To awaken it will require more than words. It will require true intention, a will to uncover the truth hidden here."
Kaelith, though impressed, remained on guard. "And if that truth puts us in danger?"
Elindor smiled slightly, but there was sadness in his eyes. "Every truth carries some danger. But it is necessary to face it in order to move forward."
Aelion turned to his companions, a mix of determination and curiosity in his eyes. "I'm ready to awaken this memory. If it can bring us closer to the Eternal Light, then we must do it."
Liraë nodded, her eyes shining with an inner light. "I'll help you, Aelion. Together, we can discover what this place hides."
Kaelith, despite his reservations, approached the fountain, his blades still at the ready. "I'll keep watch. If something stirs, I'll be ready to defend us."
Elindor placed a hand on Liraë's shoulder, murmuring words in an ancient language before turning to Aelion. "Be careful, Aelion. This place holds powers that even the Ancients feared. But I believe in you. You have the strength to face them."
Aelion and Liraë closed their eyes, focusing on the flow of magic emanating from the fountain. Gradually, they felt an energy enveloping them, as if the chamber itself was responding to their call. The statues around them seemed to come to life, their stone eyes glowing with a soft yet powerful light.
Suddenly, the water from the fountain rose in a luminous spiral, projecting images into the air. Scenes from the past unfolded before their eyes: epic battles, ancient rituals, and a golden light that, at the heart of the chaos, seemed to maintain the world's balance.
Liraë, her eyes fixed on the images, murmured, "This… this is the story of the Eternal Light…"
Aelion felt his heart beat faster. "Yes… and it seems to indicate where it might be found."
But as the images continued to unfold, a dark shadow appeared in the luminous spiral. A powerful and menacing shadow seemed to be trying to escape from the fountain, as if drawn by the light.
Kaelith, seeing this, immediately took a defensive position. "Watch out! Something dark is trying to get out!"
Aelion and Liraë tried to channel the magic to contain the shadow, but it resisted, driven by a force that exceeded their control. The energy in the chamber grew more chaotic, the statues seeming to waver under the pressure.
"We must close this portal!" Elindor shouted, his deep voice echoing through the chamber. "If this shadow escapes, it could destroy everything!"
In a desperate effort, Aelion and Liraë combined their strengths, drawing upon the magic of the Ancients and, in a final burst, managed to close the spiral of water around the shadow, sealing it within the fountain. The chamber suddenly became silent again, the soft light slowly returning to normal.
Breathless, Aelion turned to Liraë, a spark of relief in his eyes. "That was… intense. But we learned something crucial. The Eternal Light is not just a force for good. It is also the key to containing these shadows."
Liraë nodded, still shaken by what they had just experienced. "Yes… and it means our quest is even more important than we thought."
Elindor approached them, his face marked by fatigue but also by a certain satisfaction. "You succeeded. You awakened the memory of this place without succumbing to the shadows."
Kaelith, still on guard, gave the fountain one last scrutinizing look. "But for how long?"
Aelion stood up, his determination renewed. "As long as it takes. We must continue. The Eternal Light awaits us, and we can't turn back now."
With these words, the group prepared to leave the chamber, each of them aware that the challenges ahead would be even greater, but also more determined than ever to complete their mission.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone