Kael's footsteps echoed through the winding corridors as he and Selene left the Hall of Shadows behind. The weight of the orb in his hand felt heavier with every step. The trial had been more than just a test of strength—it had taken something from him, something intangible. He could feel it in the hollow emptiness gnawing at the edges of his consciousness.
Selene walked beside him in silence, her eyes flickering between Kael and the orb. She had been quiet since they'd left the hall, and Kael could sense her unease. The air between them was thick with unspoken questions.
"You felt it, didn't you?" Selene finally asked, breaking the silence. Her voice was soft, but there was an edge to it, a nervous tension that hadn't been there before.
Kael slowed his pace, glancing at her. "Felt what?"
Selene bit her lip, hesitating for a moment. "The orb. When you touched it… something happened. I felt it too, like it was pulling at me. Like it wanted something."
Kael clenched his jaw. He had felt it, but he hadn't wanted to admit it—not to himself, and certainly not to Selene. There had been a moment, just after he'd touched the orb, when something had shifted inside him. A part of him had been… taken.
"I'm fine," Kael said, his voice firmer than he felt. "We completed the trial. That's all that matters."
Selene stopped walking, grabbing his arm and forcing him to face her. "Kael, this isn't just about passing a trial. That orb… it's dangerous. We need to be careful."
Kael met her gaze, seeing the concern in her eyes. She was right, of course. But the power they were chasing wasn't safe, and they both knew it. Whatever secrets the temple held, they came at a cost. And if he wanted to unlock those secrets, he would have to be willing to pay that price.
"We've come this far," Kael said, his voice steady. "We can't turn back now."
Selene's grip tightened, her expression hardening. "I'm not saying we should turn back. I'm saying we need to be prepared. This isn't just about power, Kael. This is about survival."
Kael sighed, running a hand through his tousled black hair. "I know. And we will survive—together. But we have to keep moving. There's no time to waste."
Selene hesitated for a moment longer, then released his arm. "Fine. But promise me one thing—don't let that thing control you."
Kael glanced down at the orb, its eerie glow casting faint shadows on the walls. He nodded, though he wasn't sure if he could keep that promise. The power in the orb was unlike anything he had ever felt before. It was seductive, intoxicating. And dangerous.
"I won't," he said, his voice barely a whisper.
They continued walking in silence, the corridor twisting and turning as they delved deeper into the temple. The air grew colder, and the walls seemed to close in around them, the weight of the ancient structure pressing down on their shoulders.
As they rounded a corner, the faint sound of running water reached their ears. Kael frowned, glancing at Selene. "Do you hear that?"
She nodded, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Water? But we're underground…"
They followed the sound, the walls gradually giving way to rough stone and damp moss. The corridor opened into a cavern, and before them, a small underground river flowed, its waters shimmering with a faint, otherworldly light.
Kael stepped closer to the edge of the river, peering down into its depths. The water was clear, but there was something strange about it—something unnatural. It seemed to glow from within, as if it held a power of its own.
"Do you think it's part of the next trial?" Selene asked, standing beside him.
Kael shrugged, his eyes still fixed on the water. "Could be. Or it could be a trap."
Selene knelt down, dipping her fingers into the water. She pulled her hand back quickly, her eyes wide. "It's warm. That's… impossible."
Kael knelt beside her, hesitating for a moment before reaching out to touch the water. It was warm—almost comforting. But there was something more. As his fingers brushed the surface, he felt a jolt of energy shoot through him, like a surge of magic flowing from the river into his body.
He pulled his hand back, his heart racing. "There's magic in the water."
Selene stood up, wiping her hand on her cloak. "What does it mean?"
Kael stood, staring at the river. "I don't know. But I think it's connected to the temple's power. We need to figure out how."
Selene nodded, though her expression remained troubled. "Let's be careful. We don't know what this magic could do."
Kael agreed, though his curiosity burned brighter than his caution. The magic in the temple was unlike anything he had ever encountered, and the more they uncovered, the more questions seemed to arise.
As they continued along the riverbank, the faint sound of footsteps reached their ears. Kael stopped, motioning for Selene to stay quiet. The footsteps grew louder, echoing off the stone walls of the cavern.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows—a man, dressed in the same dark robes as the shadowy guardians they had faced in the trial. His eyes glowed with an unnatural light, and in his hand, he held a twisted staff, its tip glowing with a faint blue aura.
"You've passed the first trial," the man said, his voice echoing in the cavern. "But the temple does not give its secrets freely."
Kael stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Who are you?"
The man smiled, though there was no warmth in it. "I am the Keeper of the Temple. And I am here to offer you a choice."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "What kind of choice?"
The Keeper raised his staff, the blue light glowing brighter. "You seek the power of the temple, but power always comes with a price. You must decide—will you take the power for yourself, or will you share it with those who follow you?"
Kael hesitated, glancing at Selene. The question seemed simple, but he knew there was more to it. The temple's power was immense, and it could change the course of their journey. But at what cost?
"And if I choose to share it?" Kael asked, his voice cautious.
The Keeper's smile widened. "Then you will bind yourself to the temple—and to its will. You will serve as its vessel, sharing its power with those who prove themselves worthy."
Kael clenched his fists, his mind racing. The idea of sharing the temple's power was tempting—it would give him allies, strength in numbers. But the thought of being bound to the temple, of losing control over his own destiny, sent a chill down his spine.
"And if I take the power for myself?" Kael asked.
The Keeper's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Then the power will be yours alone. But you will walk a lonely path, and the price will be heavy."
Kael stared at the Keeper, weighing his options. The temple's power was within his grasp, but the cost was steep. He could share it, build a following, and become a leader. Or he could take it for himself, wielding unmatched power—but at the risk of losing everything.
Selene stepped closer, her voice barely a whisper. "Kael, whatever you choose, I'll follow you. But be careful. The temple's power isn't what it seems."
Kael nodded, his decision made. He took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"I'll take the power for myself."
The Keeper's smile faded, replaced by a look of cold calculation. "Very well. But remember, Kael Armitage, power always comes with a price."
With a flick of his staff, the Keeper vanished into the shadows, leaving Kael and Selene alone once more.
Kael stared at the spot where the Keeper had stood, the weight of his decision settling heavily on his shoulders.
The price had been set. And soon, he would discover just how high it truly was.