The road to Kaldris was long and winding, stretching across rolling hills and dense forests. As Eryx made his way toward the city, the landscape changed, becoming less wild and more inhabited. Small villages dotted the countryside, each one bustling with people going about their daily lives. The air here was different—brimming with energy, with life. But there was also an undercurrent of tension, a sense that danger was never too far away.
Eryx pulled his hood tighter around his face, keeping to the shadows of the path. His journey so far had been quiet, but he knew better than to be complacent. The sanctuary's power hummed beneath his skin, a constant reminder of the responsibility he now carried. He could feel it drawing eyes to him, even in the peaceful countryside.
After several days of travel, the walls of Kaldris finally came into view. The city was a marvel, its towering walls gleaming in the late afternoon sun. The gates were open, with travelers and merchants streaming in and out. From this distance, it looked peaceful—prosperous even—but Lorian's warnings echoed in Eryx's mind. Kaldris was a place of secrets, and not everyone here could be trusted.
As Eryx approached the gate, he noticed the guards standing at attention. Their sharp eyes scanned the crowd, looking for any sign of trouble. Eryx kept his head down, hoping to blend in with the rest of the travelers. But even as he walked, he felt the weight of the power inside him, the pull of something deeper within the city.
The guards barely glanced at him as he passed through the gates, their attention focused elsewhere. Once inside, Eryx paused, taking in the sight of the city around him. The streets were packed with people—merchants hawking their wares, travelers moving in and out of inns, and locals going about their business. The buildings towered over him, their stone facades casting long shadows across the narrow streets.
Kaldris was alive, pulsing with energy, but it was also chaotic. Eryx could feel the hidden tensions simmering beneath the surface, the unspoken power struggles playing out in every alleyway and marketplace. This was a city where strength was currency, and everyone was vying for control.
Eryx made his way through the streets, his mind racing with Lorian's instructions. He needed to find Veras, the man who knew the truth about the sanctuary's power. But Kaldris was vast, and without a guide, finding one man in this maze of streets and alleys seemed like an impossible task.
He passed by several inns, their doors open to welcome travelers, but something stopped him from entering. He wasn't ready to rest just yet. The pull he had felt since entering the city was growing stronger, leading him deeper into Kaldris.
The streets narrowed as Eryx ventured farther into the heart of the city, the buildings pressing closer together, casting the alleys into deeper shadows. The noise of the bustling marketplace began to fade, replaced by a quieter, more watchful atmosphere. Eryx could feel eyes on him, though he couldn't see who was watching.
Eventually, he found himself standing before a tall, narrow building at the end of a secluded alley. Its door was unmarked, and the windows were dark. Yet, Eryx knew without a doubt that this was where he needed to be. The pull was unmistakable now, a force that seemed to draw him closer to the door.
He hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the door handle. He didn't know what to expect once he stepped inside. But he had come too far to turn back now. With a deep breath, Eryx pushed the door open and stepped into the darkness.
Inside, the air was cool and still. The room was small, with stone walls and a single table at its center. A figure sat at the table, cloaked in shadow. Eryx couldn't make out their features, but he could feel the presence of power radiating from them.
"You've come," the figure said, their voice low and gravelly. "I've been expecting you."
Eryx's heart raced. "Are you Veras?"
The figure leaned forward, revealing a pair of sharp, piercing eyes. "That depends. Are you the one who walked the path of the sanctuary?"
Eryx felt a chill run down his spine. The man before him knew more than he let on, and Eryx could sense the weight of his gaze. "I am," Eryx replied, his voice steady.
Veras regarded him for a moment before nodding. "Good. Then you've come to the right place."
Eryx took a step closer. "Lorian said you could help me. He said you know how to control the power I've awakened."
"Lorian," Veras muttered, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Always guiding, always watching. Yes, I know him well."
Veras stood, his movements slow and deliberate. "The power you've gained is not something that can be controlled easily. It's ancient, and it will test you in ways you cannot imagine. But it can be mastered—if you're willing to pay the price."
Eryx narrowed his eyes. "What price?"
Veras smiled, though there was no warmth in it. "Power always comes with a cost. You will need to sacrifice more than you realize. The sanctuary may have given you strength, but Kaldris will strip you of your illusions. Here, you will learn the true nature of power. And once you understand that, you'll be ready."
"Ready for what?" Eryx asked, his voice tense.
"For what's coming," Veras said, his tone darkening. "The world beyond Kaldris is changing. Forces are moving that you cannot yet comprehend. And you, Eryx, are at the center of it all."
Eryx felt a knot form in his stomach. He had always known that his journey was leading to something greater, something dangerous. But hearing it from Veras made it all the more real.
"What do I need to do?" Eryx asked, his resolve hardening.
Veras gestured toward a door at the back of the room. "The path ahead is not an easy one. You will face trials, tests that will push you to your limits. But if you succeed, you will gain the knowledge you seek."
Eryx nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. "I'm ready."
Veras stepped aside, allowing Eryx to pass. "Then step through the door and begin your true journey. But remember this, Eryx: Power is a tool, not a weapon. It will destroy you if you let it."
With those words echoing in his mind, Eryx stepped forward and opened the door. Beyond it lay a dark corridor, the faint glow of torches lighting the way.
As he took his first step into the unknown, Eryx knew that there was no turning back. The trials that awaited him would determine not only his fate but the fate of the world.