The group continued their journey, the weight of Kael's new power palpable in the air around them. His presence had become both a shield and a shadow, a force that kept his companions close but wary.
They came to a canyon that cut through the land like a wound, the jagged cliffs rising high on either side. At its center lay the remains of a colossal beast—a leviathan of bone and decaying flesh, its ribcage jutting upward like the ruins of a forgotten temple.
"What is that?" Aidan whispered, his voice tinged with awe and fear.
Elara narrowed her eyes. "Whatever it was, it's been dead a long time. But something about it feels… off."
Kael's gaze was locked on the creature, a strange pull guiding him forward. He could feel it—something calling to him from within the beast.
"There's something inside it," Kael said, his voice low. Without waiting for a response, he began climbing the decaying remains, his every step sinking slightly into the rotting flesh.
---
The Sword in the Heart
As Kael reached the center of the beast's ribcage, he saw it: a sword impaled in what must have once been the creature's heart. The blade was unlike anything he'd ever seen, its surface black as night but shimmering with faint, iridescent light. The hilt was wrapped in dark leather, and strange runes glowed faintly along its length.
The air around the sword thrummed with power, and Kael felt his shadows stir, as if bowing in recognition.
"Kael, wait!" Elara called from below. "We don't know what that thing is!"
Kael glanced down at her, his expression resolute. "I know enough. This sword… it's calling to me."
Aidan folded his arms, his tone skeptical. "And what if it's another trap? Another Abyssal curse?"
Kael didn't answer. He reached for the sword, his fingers wrapping around the hilt. The moment he touched it, a surge of energy shot through him, and the runes along the blade flared to life.
The beast's body began to tremble, the ground beneath them shaking violently.
"Kael, what did you do?" Aidan shouted, panic in his voice.
Kael pulled the sword free, and the world around them seemed to explode with light. A massive shockwave erupted from the blade, sending Kael flying backward. He landed hard, the sword still in his hand, its power coursing through him.
---
The Path Revealed
As the light faded, the ground beneath the beast began to collapse, revealing a hidden pathway that descended deep into the earth. The air was thick with energy, and faint whispers echoed from the darkness below.
"It's a way forward," Kael said, rising to his feet. He looked at the blade in his hand, its runes still glowing faintly. "This sword… it's more than just a weapon. It's a key."
Elara climbed up to join him, her eyes wary. "A key to what?"
Kael shook his head. "I don't know yet. But we're about to find out."
---
The Masked Man
Before they could descend, a chill ran through the air. Kael froze, his senses screaming a warning. A shadow moved at the edge of the canyon, and then a figure emerged, stepping into the faint light.
The man was tall and cloaked in black, his face obscured by a mask that gleamed like polished obsidian. One eye was visible—a single, glowing red orb that seemed to pierce through the darkness.
He clapped slowly, the sound echoing through the canyon. "Impressive. Very impressive."
Kael stepped forward, the new blade in his hand. "Who are you?"
The man tilted his head, his voice smooth and mocking. "A mere observer, for now. But you… you've become quite the interesting specimen, Kael. The Abyss flows through you like a river, and now you've claimed the Forgotten King's blade. I must admit, I didn't think you'd survive this long."
Kael tightened his grip on the sword. "If you know me, then you know how this ends. Tell me what you want, or get out of my way."
The man chuckled, a low, sinister sound. "What I want, Kael, is to see how far you'll go. How much you'll sacrifice. How much of yourself you'll lose."
A sudden surge of energy radiated from the masked man, an oppressive aura that pressed down on Kael and the others like a tidal wave. Even Aidan, who had kept his distance, staggered under the weight of it.
Kael's shadows flared, pushing back against the pressure. "You're in my way," he growled, his voice tinged with the Abyss.
The man smiled beneath his mask. "Good. Keep that fire burning. We'll meet again soon enough."
And with that, he vanished, his form dissolving into the air like smoke.
---
The Collapse
The ground began to shake violently, the beast's body crumbling as the canyon walls started to cave in.
"We need to move!" Elara shouted.
Kael nodded, leading the group toward the newly revealed pathway. As they descended into the earth, the canyon above them collapsed entirely, sealing them inside.
The air grew colder the deeper they went, the whispers growing louder. Kael glanced at the sword in his hand, the runes glowing faintly in the dark.
"This is just the beginning," he muttered.
Behind him, Elara and Aidan exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of the journey ahead pressing down on them all.
And far above, on the canyon's edge, the masked man stood once more, his red eye glowing brightly.
"Let the games begin," he said, a sinister grin spreading beneath his mask.