The air in the temple had grown still after the elemental storm subsided, but Aran knew the danger had not passed. The woman's cryptic words echoed in his mind. There was something more, something deeper hidden beneath the surface of everything she had tried to unleash. The Four Pillars, the shards, even the Conclave—it was all part of a greater game, and he had only begun to understand the rules.
Kira sheathed her dagger, her gaze fixed on the defeated woman kneeling at the altar. "What do you want to do with her?" Kira asked, her voice cold and unfeeling.
Aran stared down at the woman, now reduced to little more than a shell of her former self. The elemental storm had taken a toll on her, both physically and mentally, but Aran knew that she still had knowledge they needed—knowledge that could be dangerous if left unchecked.
"We take her with us," Aran said, his voice sharp. "She might still be useful. There are things she hasn't told us, things we need to know."
The woman glared at him, but there was no longer any fight left in her. She had lost, and she knew it. Aran signaled Kira, who swiftly tied the woman's hands, ensuring she wouldn't try anything foolish.
As they made their way out of the temple, Aran couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them. The air was thick with unease, and the temple walls seemed to close in around them as they walked through the dimly lit corridors.
"We need to get out of here," Kira muttered, glancing over her shoulder. "This place feels wrong."
Aran nodded in agreement. There was an oppressive energy in the air, something that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. But he couldn't leave yet—not without answers.
He stopped abruptly, his eyes scanning the walls of the corridor. "Wait."
Kira frowned, looking around. "What is it?"
Aran moved toward a section of the wall, running his fingers along the rough stone. There was a faint glow, barely visible to the naked eye, but Aran had trained himself to notice even the smallest details. He pressed his hand against the wall, and with a soft grinding noise, a hidden door slid open, revealing a passageway that descended deep into the earth.
Kira's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know that was there?"
Aran smiled faintly. "Call it a hunch."
The woman, still bound and kneeling on the floor, let out a bitter laugh. "You think you've found something important, don't you? You have no idea what lies below."
Aran crouched down in front of her, his eyes cold. "Then why don't you enlighten me?"
The woman's smile faded, replaced by a look of fear. "You don't understand. The temple was just a front. The real power lies beneath, in the catacombs. That's where the ancient magic is buried, and it's been waiting for centuries to be released."
Aran's heart raced, but he kept his expression neutral. He had suspected there was more to this temple than met the eye, and now he had confirmation. Whatever was hidden in the catacombs was likely the source of the power the woman had been trying to control.
He stood up and looked at Kira. "We're going down."
Kira raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Are you sure that's a good idea? We don't know what's down there."
"That's exactly why we need to go," Aran said, his voice firm. "If there's a power hidden beneath this temple, we can't leave it unchecked. Besides, if she's afraid of it, then it's something worth investigating."
Kira sighed but nodded in agreement. "Fine. But if this turns out to be a trap, don't say I didn't warn you."
Together, they descended into the passageway, leaving the woman tied and guarded at the entrance. The air grew colder as they moved deeper into the catacombs, the flickering light from their torches casting long shadows on the stone walls.
The further they went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The weight of centuries-old magic pressed down on them, and the faint sound of whispers seemed to drift through the air, though there was no one else around.
"This place feels wrong," Kira said quietly. "Like the walls themselves are watching us."
Aran didn't respond, his mind focused on the path ahead. He could feel the magic growing stronger, its presence palpable in the air. Whatever lay at the heart of these catacombs was powerful—perhaps even more powerful than he had anticipated.
After what felt like an eternity, they reached a massive stone door, intricately carved with runes and symbols that pulsed with a dim, otherworldly light.
Kira looked at Aran, her expression tense. "This is it, isn't it?"
Aran nodded, his eyes fixed on the door. "The source of the power."
He stepped forward, examining the runes carefully. They were ancient, far older than anything he had encountered before, and their meaning was difficult to decipher. But Aran was no stranger to ancient languages, and after a few moments, he began to piece together the message etched into the stone.
"It's a seal," Aran said quietly. "A barrier meant to keep something contained."
Kira's eyes widened. "Contained? You mean… whatever's behind this door?"
Aran nodded. "Something was locked away here, centuries ago. Something powerful."
He reached out, pressing his hand against the center of the door. The runes flared to life, and for a moment, Aran felt a surge of energy run through him. Then, with a low rumble, the door began to slide open, revealing a vast chamber beyond.
At the center of the chamber stood a massive altar, and upon it rested a single object—a black, pulsating orb that seemed to absorb the light around it. The air in the chamber was thick with malevolent energy, and Aran could feel the raw power emanating from the orb.
Kira took a step back, her eyes wide with fear. "What… what is that?"
Aran stared at the orb, his mind racing. "I don't know," he said quietly. "But I intend to find out."
He stepped forward, his hand reaching for the orb. As his fingers closed around it, the chamber was filled with a blinding light, and a voice—deep and ancient—echoed through the catacombs.
"You have awakened the shadow."
Aran's heart pounded in his chest, but he didn't pull back. Whatever he had just unleashed, he was ready to face it.