Kael's mind buzzed with what he had just witnessed. The vision from the altar left him shaken, but the urgency of their mission remained. They couldn't afford to waste any more time.
"We need to figure out what this place is hiding," Kael said, his voice steady despite the tension thrumming beneath the surface.
Meera, still studying the altar, glanced up. "These runes… they're not just a record. They're a key, a guide to unlocking the deeper magic sealed here."
"Then we need to find a way to activate it," Varian added, his eyes scanning the room for any clues. "But if this is tied to the Arcanum System, Kael might be the only one who can do it."
Kael frowned. He wasn't sure what the connection was between him and this place, but the power thrumming beneath the surface was unmistakable. He approached the altar again, this time with more purpose. His hand hovered over the runes, and he could feel the energy pulling him in.
Meera stepped closer, her voice low. "You have to be careful. Whatever you do here could have consequences we can't predict."
"I know," Kael replied, his gaze fixed on the glowing symbols. "But we're running out of options."
Taking a deep breath, Kael pressed his hand firmly against the altar. The runes flared with light, and a pulse of energy shot through the chamber. The walls trembled as ancient magic stirred, responding to his touch.
Suddenly, the floor beneath them began to shift. Massive stone slabs slid away, revealing a hidden passage leading deeper underground. The air was thick with the scent of old magic, and a faint hum vibrated through the stones.
Varian let out a low whistle. "I didn't think that would actually work."
Kael didn't respond, his focus entirely on the path before them. Whatever lay at the end of this passage, it was tied to the storm and the danger looming on the horizon.
Without hesitation, he led the way down into the depths. The passage was narrow, the walls lined with more of the strange runes, their faint glow lighting the way. The deeper they went, the stronger the sense of power became.
After what felt like hours, the passage opened up into another vast chamber. This one was even more imposing than the first, its walls covered in intricate carvings that depicted scenes of battle, of destruction, and of a great power being sealed away.
In the center of the room stood a massive stone obelisk, its surface covered in the same glowing runes. The air around it hummed with raw magical energy, and Kael could feel the power thrumming through his veins.
"This is it," Meera whispered, her eyes wide with awe. "This is what's been hidden here for so long."
Kael approached the obelisk cautiously. The power radiating from it was overwhelming, but there was something else—something darker. As he got closer, he could feel the malevolent energy lurking just beneath the surface.
"This obelisk… it's not just a source of power," Kael said, his voice low. "It's a prison. Something was sealed here, something dangerous."
Varian tensed. "And we just walked right into it."
Before Kael could respond, the runes on the obelisk flared to life, and the ground beneath them began to tremble. A deep, guttural voice echoed through the chamber, filling the air with a sense of dread.
"You dare awaken me?" the voice boomed. "Fools. You have no idea what you have unleashed."
Kael's heart raced as the obelisk began to crack, dark energy pouring out from the fractures. The power within it surged, filling the chamber with a palpable sense of fear and despair.
"We need to get out of here," Meera urged, her voice shaking.
But Kael knew it was too late. Whatever was sealed within the obelisk had been freed, and there was no turning back now.
As the dark energy swirled around them, Kael could feel the Arcanum System reacting, its power surging in response to the threat. He clenched his fists, determination filling him.
"Stay behind me," Kael ordered. "I'll handle this."
Varian and Meera exchanged worried glances but did as he said, backing away as Kael stepped forward, his body glowing with the power of the Arcanum System.
The dark energy coalesced into a massive, shadowy figure, its eyes burning with hatred. It towered over Kael, its presence suffocating, but Kael stood his ground.
"You've made a grave mistake, mortal," the figure hissed. "I am the end of all things."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Not today."
With a surge of power, Kael unleashed a blast of energy, striking the figure square in the chest. The shadowy form recoiled, but it wasn't enough to destroy it. The fight had only just begun.