Chương 5: The Depths of the Past
The stone steps seemed to descend endlessly, each step Aelion and Kaelith took leading them deeper into the oppressive darkness. The walls of the tunnel, covered in ancient symbols, emitted a faint glow, enough to light their way but insufficient to dispel the aura of mystery and danger that permeated the place. The air grew denser, heavier, charged with ancient magic and a history forgotten for millennia.
The silence, broken only by the sound of footsteps on stone, weighed heavily on the two elves. Aelion, focused on every detail of their surroundings, felt the magical energy currents thickening around them. These tunnels were not just a physical passage but also a portal to another time, a place where echoes of the past seemed still alive.
"This place is steeped in ancient magic," Aelion murmured, his voice faintly echoing in the darkness. "We must be prepared to face what these walls have seen and heard over the ages."
Kaelith, more tense than ever, gripped his blades tightly, ready to react to any threat. "Whatever the nature of these echoes, we must pass through them. Nothing will stop us from completing our mission."
After what seemed like an eternity, they finally reached a vast underground chamber. The space was imposing, the walls decorated with decaying frescoes depicting scenes of life, war, and rituals, remnants of a time when magic still ruled the world. In the center of the chamber stood a massive stone slab, surrounded by four pillars engraved with glowing runes.
Aelion cautiously approached the slab, his emerald eyes scanning the runes that seemed to glow with a life of their own. "These symbols… They are guardians, protections placed here to seal something powerful."
Kaelith observed the surroundings with heightened suspicion. "What does that mean? This isn't just a chamber. It's a sanctuary, or perhaps even a tomb."
Aelion nodded, confirming his friend's fears. "It could be both. Ancient magicians used places like these to protect secrets they didn't want to fall into the wrong hands."
As they examined the chamber, a deep rumble echoed through the walls. The runes on the pillars glowed more intensely, and the stone slab in the center began to vibrate. Slowly, it split in two, revealing a passage that descended even deeper into the earth's bowels.
"This is where we must go," Aelion said, determined. "But be ready, Kaelith. Something waits below."
Kaelith nodded, his muscles tense, every fiber of his being ready to react. "I'm ready. Let's go down."
They entered the passage, leaving the light of the runes behind them. The darkness became almost total, with only the flames of Kaelith's blades providing enough light for them to move forward. With each step, they could feel a presence growing around them, an ancient force, both curious and threatening.
Finally, the passage opened into another chamber, smaller but more intimidating. At the center, an ethereal figure stood still, surrounded by an aura of silvery light. Its features were indistinct, but a palpable power emanated from its form.
"You dared to disturb my rest," murmured the figure's voice, soft yet imbued with unwavering authority. "I am a guardian of this sanctuary, and no one passes without proving their worth."
Aelion, standing tall, responded respectfully. "We do not seek to desecrate these places. We seek the Eternal Light, to restore balance to the world. We are ready to prove our worth."
Kaelith, though ready to fight, remained silent, allowing Aelion to speak for both of them. He knew that in moments like these, it was his friend's wisdom that would allow them to progress.
The ethereal figure seemed to ponder for a moment, then raised a hand, summoning the forces of the chamber to manifest. The walls around them began to glow, revealing animated frescoes depicting ancient battles, wars between the forces of light and shadow.
"Show me," said the guardian, "that you are worthy of bearing the burden you seek."
At these words, the frescoes came to life, figures detaching themselves from the walls, taking form around the two elves. Spectral warriors, armed with blades and shields made of light, surrounded them, their empty eyes fixed on the intruders.
Kaelith instinctively positioned himself in front of Aelion, his blades flaring with new intensity. "Get ready, Aelion. These specters won't let us pass without a fight."
Aelion closed his eyes for a moment, calling upon the forces of nature, then opened his hands, summoning the spirits of the plants that lay dormant beneath the sanctuary's stone. "We must act together, Kaelith. Their strength is great, but if we combine our powers, we can defeat them."
The specters charged suddenly, their movements swift and silent, like shadows carried by the wind. Kaelith reacted immediately, his blades slicing through the air with deadly precision, each strike releasing bursts of flame that illuminated the dark chamber.
Aelion, meanwhile, summoned thick, living roots that erupted from the ground to entangle the specters. These roots, imbued with ancient magic, were capable of restraining even the most agile spirits, their natural power creating a barrier against supernatural forces.
The battle was fierce, the specters showing no signs of fatigue or hesitation. Aelion and Kaelith, despite their power, found themselves continually on the defensive, each victory against a specter followed by the emergence of another.
"We need to find their weakness," Kaelith shouted, parrying a blow that could have disarmed him. "There are too many to be beaten by brute force alone!"
Aelion focused, searching for a flaw in the energy animating the specters. Suddenly, he understood. "Kaelith! Their energy comes from the frescoes! We need to destroy them at the source!"
Wasting no time, Kaelith charged toward the nearest fresco, his blades burning with even greater intensity. With a defiant cry, he struck the fresco, his blades piercing the stone and releasing an explosion of flames. The fresco cracked, and the specters emanating from it dissipated in a silent scream.
Seeing their strategy work, Aelion turned to another fresco, calling upon powerful nature magic. Thick, thorny brambles burst from the ground, enveloping the fresco and reducing it to dust under their relentless grip. One by one, the specters lost their coherence, disappearing in a breath of air.
Finally, the last fresco crumbled under the combined attack of Aelion and Kaelith. The remaining specters vanished with a final, silent scream, leaving the chamber silent once again. The ethereal figure of the guardian reappeared, more distinct this time, as if it had been freed from a burden.
"You have proven your strength and wisdom," declared the guardian, his tone filled with respect. "You are worthy to continue your quest. But know that what awaits you is far more difficult than what you have just overcome."
Aelion, exhausted but satisfied, nodded. "We are ready to face whatever comes. Thank you for granting us passage."
The guardian's figure bowed slightly, then vanished, leaving behind a soft glow that indicated the exit from the sanctuary. A passage opened before them, leading to a new series of tunnels, darker and older than those they had already traversed.
Kaelith, breathless but unyielding, placed a hand on Aelion's shoulder. "We still have a long way to go, but we have survived another trial. Let's move forward."
Aelion agreed, resuming his march with determination. "The Eternal Light is getting closer, Kaelith. But it is not yet within our reach. Let's be ready to face the darkness that still stands between us and our goal."
Together, they entered the newly revealed passage, ready to face the challenges awaiting them in the depths of the past—a past that refused to die and still guarded dangerous and powerful secrets.
Tình trạng nguồn điện hàng tuần
-- Xếp hạng
Quyền lực 
-- Đá
Quyền lực