Chereads / Shadow's Gambit / Chapter 188 - 188. The Binding Oath

Chapter 188 - 188. The Binding Oath

As the Guardian's final words faded into the ether, the oppressive silence returned, blanketing the trio in the vast emptiness of this strange realm. The air felt heavy, thick with the weight of the commitment they had just made. Aran, Lyssa, and Edward stood in the shadow of the pulsating obelisk, its slow, rhythmic pulse echoing through the ground beneath their feet.

For a long moment, none of them spoke, each absorbing the enormity of what had just occurred. The responsibility to maintain the balance of the universe was unlike anything they had expected when they first embarked on this journey. It was not just about uncovering the truth; it was about shouldering the cosmic burden that came with it.

Aran was the first to break the silence. "What have we just agreed to?"

Edward's eyes were wide, his mind racing to process the Guardian's words. "We've agreed to keep the balance of the universe intact. Every ripple, every action we take, from this point forward, must be done with the knowledge that it affects everything."

Lyssa unsheathed her sword and inspected its blade, her mind elsewhere. "Balance… It sounds more like a leash." Her tone was sharp, her frustration leaking through. "We came all this way for knowledge and power, but now we're bound to this… responsibility."

Aran nodded slowly. "I won't lie. It feels like a trap. But maybe the real trap was thinking we could gain ultimate power without any consequences."

Lyssa sheathed her sword, turning to face the obelisk. "So, what now? Do we just wait for the universe to fall out of balance and swoop in like cosmic janitors?"

Edward stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the obelisk, which now seemed to glow brighter as if reacting to their presence. "This is just the beginning. The Guardian said our journey begins anew, but I believe this obelisk holds the next piece of the puzzle."

As they drew closer to the obelisk, a soft hum filled the air, and suddenly, runes began to light up along its surface. The glow intensified, and the ground beneath them trembled. Aran instinctively stepped back, but Edward held his ground, his eyes locked onto the shifting runes.

"These runes…" Edward whispered, a glint of excitement returning to his eyes. "They're instructions."

Lyssa raised an eyebrow. "Instructions for what?"

"For a binding oath," Edward replied, his fingers tracing the patterns of light. "We've agreed to maintain the balance, but we haven't been bound to it yet. This obelisk… it's waiting for us to take the final step."

Aran's heart sank. He knew what was coming next, and part of him wanted to refuse. They had no idea what this binding would entail, what it would cost them. But deep down, he knew there was no turning back. They had crossed the threshold, and now the universe demanded its price.

"Do we have a choice?" Aran asked, his voice low.

Edward shook his head. "No. Not if we want to see this through."

Lyssa sighed, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. "I hate this."

With a determined nod, Aran stepped forward, standing before the obelisk. "Then let's get this over with."

As if in response to his words, the obelisk flared with light, and the runes spiraled outward, forming a circle of energy around the three of them. The ground beneath their feet glowed, and the weight of the universe itself seemed to press down on their shoulders.

A voice, not the Guardian's but something more ancient, more primal, filled the air.

**"By your oath, you are bound to the Eternal Balance. Your every action shall ripple through the cosmos, your every choice shall weigh upon the scales of existence. Will you accept this burden and fulfill your purpose?"**

Aran felt the weight of the question settle over him like a physical force. His chest tightened, and for a moment, he doubted. Could they truly bear this burden? Could they be trusted to maintain the balance?

But then he looked at Lyssa and Edward—his companions, his friends. They had come this far together, faced dangers beyond imagination. And they had survived. Together, they could face whatever lay ahead.

With a deep breath, Aran spoke the words that would seal their fate. "I accept."

Lyssa scowled but stepped forward. "If we're doing this, then I'm in. I accept."

Edward, his expression a mix of awe and determination, followed suit. "I accept."

The circle of energy around them pulsed with brilliant light, and the voice spoke again, its tone final and absolute.

**"The Oath is sealed. You are now the Guardians of the Eternal Balance."**

The light exploded outward, enveloping them in a blinding flash. For a moment, Aran felt his consciousness expand, as if his mind had touched the very fabric of the universe itself. He could see the delicate threads of reality, the intricate web of cause and effect that connected all things. It was overwhelming, terrifying, and yet… beautiful.

Then, just as quickly as it began, it was over. The light faded, and the obelisk returned to its slow, steady pulse. The circle of energy around them vanished, leaving only the soft glow of the runes.

Aran staggered, his breath ragged. The weight of the Oath settled over him like an invisible chain, but it wasn't as suffocating as he had feared. It was heavy, yes, but not unbearable.

Lyssa cracked her neck, clearly feeling the weight as well. "Well, that was… something."

Edward, however, was practically buzzing with excitement. "Do you feel it? We're connected to the very essence of the universe now. We can feel the balance shifting, the ripples of every action. This is… incredible."

Aran nodded, though his mind was still reeling from the experience. "Yeah, incredible. But it also means we're responsible for what happens next."

Edward grinned. "And that's the exciting part."

Lyssa shook her head, muttering under her breath. "You're insane."

As they began to walk away from the obelisk, Aran glanced back at the towering structure. The Oath had been sealed, and their journey had taken a new turn. They were no longer just adventurers seeking knowledge and power. Now, they were something far more dangerous.

They were Guardians of the Balance.

And their true journey had only just begun.