The temple entrance loomed before them, an imposing structure of ancient stone that seemed to absorb the light around it, casting the valley into a deeper gloom. The runes etched into the door pulsed with dark energy, a stark contrast to the faded carvings that adorned the rest of the archway. Valerius could feel the malevolent power radiating from the entrance, a force that tugged at the darkness within him, urging him forward.
Orion moved cautiously to the door, examining the runes with a mixture of curiosity and caution. "These wards are different from the ones at the watchtower. They're… corrupted."
Elysia frowned as she joined him, her fingers lightly brushing against the cold stone. "It's like they were designed to keep something in, not out. Whatever's inside, it's been sealed away for a reason."
Valerius stepped closer, feeling the pull of the temple grow stronger. The darkness within him resonated with the energy of the runes, feeding off it like a predator sensing easy prey. He had to fight to keep it under control, to prevent it from overwhelming his senses.
"We have to break these seals," Valerius said, his voice firm. "But be prepared for whatever might be unleashed. This place is old, and the magic here is unlike anything we've faced before."
Elysia and Orion exchanged a glance, then nodded in agreement. They had come too far to turn back now, and the answers they sought lay beyond this door.
Valerius approached the sealed entrance, reaching out with his mind to probe the wards. The runes resisted, their energy twisted and malevolent, but Valerius pushed back, channeling the darkness within him to unravel the spells. As he worked, he could feel the temple responding, its ancient power stirring in response to his presence.
The runes began to flicker and fade, their power waning as Valerius poured more of his energy into the spell. But as the wards weakened, he felt a surge of resistance, a backlash of dark energy that lashed out at him, searing through his mind like a blade.
Valerius staggered, but he did not relent. He drew on the full extent of his power, feeding the darkness with every ounce of will he possessed. The runes shattered with a deafening crack, and the door to the temple slowly creaked open, revealing a yawning abyss beyond.
A wave of cold air rushed out from the opening, carrying with it the stench of decay and something else, something older and more sinister. The darkness within the temple was palpable, an almost living entity that seemed to reach out toward them with invisible tendrils.
Elysia shuddered. "What is that? It feels… wrong."
"Ancient magic," Valerius replied, his voice tight with concentration. "Whatever was sealed away in this temple, it's been waiting a long time to be released."
Orion stepped forward, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
### Chapter 18 (continued): Into the Abyss
Orion stepped forward, his hand on the hilt of his sword, his eyes narrowed as he peered into the darkness beyond the door. The faint light from outside barely penetrated the thick, oppressive gloom that filled the temple's interior. Every instinct told him to turn back, to seal the door and leave whatever lurked within undisturbed. But he pushed those thoughts aside. They had come too far, and the fate of Terros depended on what they found within.
"We need to stay close," Orion said, his voice steady but low. "Whatever's in there, we face it together."
Valerius nodded, the shadow tendrils that clung to him like a second skin writhing in anticipation. The darkness in him responded to the temple, its power flaring as if recognizing a kindred force. He knew he was walking a fine line—one wrong move and he could lose himself to the very thing he sought to destroy.
Elysia tightened her grip on her bow, an arrow already notched and ready. Her keen eyes scanned the shadows, searching for any sign of movement, but the darkness was impenetrable, even to her sharp vision.
"Let's move," Valerius said, his voice a whisper that barely carried over the sound of their footsteps as they crossed the threshold into the temple.
The air inside was thick with the stench of decay and something far older, a musty, earthy smell that spoke of centuries of neglect. The walls of the temple were carved with more runes and symbols, though these were worn and faded, their original meanings lost to time. The floor was uneven, cracked stone that had seen better days, and the ceiling arched high above them, disappearing into the darkness.
As they ventured deeper into the temple, the temperature dropped further, their breath visible in the cold air. The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on them, each step feeling like a struggle against an invisible force that sought to hold them back.
The corridor opened into a vast chamber, its size and scope revealed only by the faint, eerie light that seemed to emanate from the walls themselves. Massive stone pillars lined the room, their surfaces etched with more of the ancient runes, though these glowed with a dull, sickly green light.
In the center of the chamber stood a massive stone altar, its surface covered in dust and debris. But it was what lay above the altar that drew their attention—a swirling vortex of shadow, suspended in the air, its edges crackling with dark energy.
Valerius felt the pull of the vortex immediately, a magnetic force that called to the darkness within him. He could feel the ancient power radiating from it, a power that had been contained for centuries but was now seeping into the world once more.
"This is it," Valerius said, his voice barely audible. "The source of the darkness."
Elysia approached the altar cautiously, her bow still at the ready. "What do we do with it? Destroy it?"
"I don't think it's that simple," Orion replied, studying the vortex with narrowed eyes. "This isn't just a relic or an artifact—it's a gateway. A conduit to something far worse."
Valerius nodded in agreement. "Whatever it is, it's connected to the darkness that's been spreading across Terros. If we destroy it without understanding its purpose, we could make things worse."
Before they could discuss further, a deep, resonant voice echoed through the chamber, sending a shiver down their spines.
"You cannot stop what has already begun."
The voice seemed to come from all around them, reverberating off the stone walls. It was ancient, filled with malice and power, and it carried the weight of countless ages.
Valerius drew his sword, its blade glinting in the sickly green light. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice echoing in the chamber.
The shadows around the vortex began to coalesce, forming into a vaguely humanoid shape. The figure was tall and imposing, its features obscured by the darkness that clung to it like a cloak. But its eyes—cold, burning orbs of crimson—were unmistakably focused on Valerius.
"I am the Harbinger," the figure intoned, its voice like the grinding of stones. "I am the keeper of this temple, the guardian of the gate. And you, Valerius, are a fool to think you can stand against the darkness."
The tendrils of shadow around Valerius flared, responding to the presence of the Harbinger with an almost feral intensity. "The darkness won't consume me," Valerius said, though his voice wavered slightly as the pull of the Harbinger's power grew stronger.
The Harbinger let out a low, rumbling laugh. "You cannot resist forever. The darkness is within you, Valerius. It is part of you. And when the time comes, you will embrace it—just as all who came before you have."
Elysia and Orion stepped forward, their weapons raised, ready to strike if necessary. But the Harbinger did not seem concerned. It turned its gaze to them, and they could feel the weight of its presence bearing down on them, sapping their strength and resolve.
"You are mere mortals," the Harbinger said dismissively. "You cannot comprehend the true nature of the darkness. It is eternal, unyielding. And it will consume all in its path."
Valerius tightened his grip on his sword, the darkness within him boiling over. "I won't let that happen," he growled, stepping toward the Harbinger. "We came here to end this, and we will—no matter the cost."
The Harbinger's eyes flashed with something akin to amusement. "Very well," it said, its voice dripping with dark mirth. "Come, Valerius. Show me the strength of your resolve."
With that, the vortex above the altar began to spin faster, the dark energy within it surging. The shadows in the chamber deepened, coiling around the pillars like living serpents, their presence suffocating and overwhelming.
Valerius knew that the time for talk was over. The battle had begun, and the fate of Terros—and his own soul—hung in the balance.