The air around the obelisk crackled with dark energy, a palpable force that seemed to warp reality itself. Kael could feel the entity's presence all around them now, like a cold breath on the back of his neck. Every step closer to the towering obelisk made the whispers louder, the void's pull stronger. It was as though the void itself was alive, feeding on their fear, their resolve, their very souls.
"We have to destroy that obelisk," Kael said, his voice strained. "It's the heart of the entity's power."
"How do we destroy something that ancient?" Meren asked, her eyes never leaving the swirling darkness above them. "It's not just stone—it's pure void magic."
Kael's mind raced. The obelisk was a manifestation of the void's energy, a conduit through which the entity drew its strength. Destroying it would sever the connection, but the power it held was immense. It wasn't just a physical object—it was the core of the entity's being.
"I don't know yet," Kael admitted, his hand gripping his sword tightly. "But we don't have much time. The entity is awake now. If we don't act soon—"
A deep, resonating voice cut through the air, sending a shiver down Kael's spine. "Soon? Time is meaningless here, mortal. Your fate was sealed the moment you stepped into my domain."
The voice echoed from the obelisk itself, cold and all-encompassing. The shadows around them began to shift and swirl, taking on shapes—nightmarish figures that moved with an eerie grace, their eyes glowing with malevolent light.
Elara's magic flared, casting a shield of light around the group. "It's trying to break our minds," she warned. "Stay focused."
Kael steadied himself, his mind fighting against the overwhelming pressure of the void's influence. "We destroy the obelisk," he repeated, his voice firmer now. "Whatever it takes."
Ralven stepped forward, his massive sword drawn. "Then let's buy ourselves some time. Meren, Elara—cover Kael. We'll handle whatever comes our way."
The general's tone was calm but commanding. Kael nodded, appreciating the steadiness of his allies. Even here, in the heart of the void's power, they were prepared to fight.
Meren moved to Kael's side, her daggers gleaming faintly in the dim light. "Whatever your plan is, make it fast. I don't think we have long."
Kael studied the obelisk for a moment, his mind racing. The entity was bound to this place, but it wasn't invincible. There had to be a weakness, something that would sever its connection to the world.
Then it hit him—*the Arcanum*. The ancient source of all magic. If he could channel its power, he might be able to disrupt the void's grip on Veridus.
"Elara," Kael said suddenly, turning to her. "We need to channel the Arcanum's magic into the obelisk. It's the only thing that can counter the void."
Elara's eyes widened in understanding. "But we don't have enough time to create a proper ritual! Channeling that much magic at once—"
"We don't have a choice," Kael interrupted. "If we don't act now, the entity will overpower us. We need to take the risk."
Elara hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "All right. I'll help you, but be warned—this will push both of us to our limits."
Kael knew the risks, but he also knew this was their only chance. Together, they approached the obelisk, the dark energy radiating from it sending waves of nausea through Kael's body. The whispers grew louder, almost deafening, but he forced himself to focus.
Elara raised her hands, and Kael could feel the Arcanum's magic stirring in the air around them. She closed her eyes, her face tense with concentration, as she began to weave a spell—a conduit through which the Arcanum's power would flow.
Kael placed his hand on the obelisk, feeling the cold void magic seeping into his skin. It was a sensation unlike anything he had ever felt before—like sinking into the deepest, darkest abyss. But he didn't flinch. He couldn't.
"Now," Elara said, her voice strained.
Kael focused all his energy, channeling the Arcanum's magic through his body and into the obelisk. The two forces collided—light and darkness, creation and destruction—waging a silent war for control. The ground beneath them shook violently, and the obelisk pulsed with an eerie, malevolent glow.
The entity screamed.
It was a sound that shook the very foundations of the city, a voice filled with rage and despair. Kael's body trembled as the void fought back, trying to tear him apart from the inside. The darkness wrapped around him, cold and suffocating, but he didn't let go. He couldn't.
"We're weakening it!" Elara shouted, her voice barely audible above the roaring wind. "Keep going!"
Kael gritted his teeth, pushing harder, pouring every ounce of his will into the obelisk. He could feel the void's grip loosening, the connection between the entity and the physical world weakening. But the effort was taking its toll. His vision blurred, and the whispers in his mind grew frantic, desperate.
Suddenly, a massive shadow emerged from the obelisk—a towering, twisted figure that radiated pure darkness. It was the entity itself, manifesting in its true form. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent light as it stared down at Kael.
"You think you can stop me?" the entity hissed, its voice dripping with venom. "You are nothing but a speck of dust in the endless void. You will fall, just as all who came before you."
Kael's heart pounded in his chest, but he didn't back down. "Not today."
With one final surge of energy, Kael unleashed the full force of the Arcanum's power into the obelisk. The dark energy shattered, the obelisk exploding in a blinding flash of light. The entity screamed again, its form flickering, unraveling, as the void's hold on the city was finally severed.
For a moment, everything was silent.
Then, as the light faded, Kael collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. The obelisk was gone, reduced to nothing but rubble. The entity's presence had faded, its power broken—for now.
Elara rushed to Kael's side, her face pale from the effort of the spell. "Kael! Are you all right?"
Kael nodded weakly, his body shaking from exhaustion. "We… did it," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Ralven and Meren approached cautiously, scanning the ruins for any lingering threats. The air was still, the oppressive weight of the void gone.
But Kael knew this wasn't over.
The entity had been weakened, its connection to Veridus severed. But it wasn't destroyed. It would return, stronger than before. And when it did, they would have to be ready.
"We need to leave," Kael said, forcing himself to his feet. "This isn't over."
Elara nodded, her eyes filled with concern. "You're right. But we've bought ourselves time."
As they turned to leave the ruins of Veridus behind, Kael couldn't shake the feeling that the real battle was yet to come. The entity was still out there, lurking in the shadows, waiting for its moment to strike.
And Kael would be ready when it did.
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