Arin stood frozen as the Dark Elemental advanced, the oppressive energy radiating from it making the very air feel heavy. His mind raced, every instinct telling him that this creature was unlike anything he had faced before. Its power was suffocating, more intense than the combined might of the Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind Elementals that had already tested him.
Karya, hovering near him, could sense his hesitation. "Arin, don't just stand there! You've beaten four elementals already—this is just one more!"
"No," Arin whispered, gripping his sword tightly. "This is different."
The Dark Elemental's body flickered like a shadow, constantly shifting and reforming. Its movements were unpredictable, and its form seemed to absorb the light around it, creating an aura of darkness that consumed everything in its path.
The four other Elementals—Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind—stood motionless, as if waiting for the outcome of this battle. It was clear that the trial wasn't over. In fact, Arin could feel that this was the real challenge.
Without warning, the Dark Elemental surged forward, its shadowy tendrils extending toward Arin with terrifying speed. He barely managed to dodge, rolling to the side as the ground where he had stood turned pitch-black, the energy corrupting it instantly.
"Don't let it touch you!" Karya shouted, her voice filled with panic.
Arin didn't need to be told twice. The darkness was more than just an elemental force—it was pure corruption, something that defied the natural balance of the elements. This creature was beyond anything Enacra had prepared him for.
The Dark Elemental lashed out again, this time with more precision. Arin raised his hand, summoning a wall of fire to block the attack. But as soon as the flames met the shadowy tendrils, they were snuffed out as if they had never existed.
The elements don't work against it... Arin thought, a chill running down his spine. This wasn't just about raw power. The Dark Elemental was something outside of the natural order. The usual elemental balance didn't seem to apply.
"Think, Arin! There has to be a way!" Karya urged, clearly sensing his growing frustration.
I need a strategy, Arin thought, retreating a few steps as the Dark Elemental reared back for another strike. His mind raced. The other elementals had a natural balance—water quenched fire, earth blocked wind—but this darkness... It wasn't part of that harmony.
Suddenly, an idea formed. If darkness consumes... maybe I need to use the opposite. Light!
He had learned a bit about the Light Element from Enacra, though they hadn't had time to delve into its complexities. It was said that light could pierce through the void, but Arin had only ever used it to create faint illuminations, barely more than a trickle of energy. Could he harness enough power to counter something this vast and corrupting?
With no other choice, he decided to take the risk. Arin closed his eyes, calming his racing heart. He focused, drawing in every bit of energy he could muster. The Light Element wasn't one he was familiar with, but it was his only hope.
The Dark Elemental paused for a moment, as if sensing his change in tactics. Its shadowy tendrils retracted slightly, preparing for its next move. Arin could feel the weight of its malevolent gaze bearing down on him.
"Focus..." he muttered to himself, feeling the faint warmth of light energy building inside him. It was fragile, like a flickering candle in a storm, but it was there. He had to fan that flame before it was snuffed out.
With a surge of determination, Arin opened his eyes, thrusting his hand forward. A beam of light shot from his palm, aimed directly at the center of the Dark Elemental's chest.
For a moment, the light and darkness clashed, the two forces pushing against each other in a battle of wills. The darkness resisted, wrapping around the beam of light, trying to smother it.
But Arin didn't let up. He poured every ounce of his strength into the beam, willing it to grow stronger. Sweat poured down his face, his muscles straining as he struggled to maintain the flow of energy.
"Come on..." he growled through clenched teeth. "Just a little more...!"
The light began to intensify, pushing the darkness back inch by inch. The Dark Elemental recoiled slightly, its form flickering as the light pierced through its core.
For the first time, Arin felt a sliver of hope. It's working!
But just as he began to believe he could overpower the creature, the Dark Elemental let out a low, guttural roar. Its shadowy form expanded, swallowing up the surrounding area in a tidal wave of darkness. The light beam was engulfed instantly, snuffed out like a match in a storm.
Arin stumbled back, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The darkness was closing in from all sides, suffocating him with its overwhelming presence. He could barely see Karya anymore, her glow swallowed by the oppressive void.
"This... isn't good," he muttered, trying to gather his strength for another attempt.
But before he could even begin to channel the Light Element again, the Dark Elemental struck. A tendril of shadow lashed out, wrapping around Arin's arm and pulling him toward the creature.
He cried out in pain as the cold, corrupting energy seeped into his skin, numbing his senses. The darkness was trying to consume him—just as it had consumed the light.
"Arin!" Karya screamed, her tiny form darting around frantically, trying to find a way to help.
But there was nothing she could do. The Dark Elemental was too strong, and Arin's light had already been extinguished.
Is this it? Arin thought, his vision blurring as the darkness tightened its grip. Am I going to lose here?
Just as the last of his strength began to fade, a voice echoed in his mind. It wasn't Karya's, or Enacra's. It was a voice he had never heard before—deep, calm, and full of power.
"The elements are but reflections of the soul, Arin. Darkness may consume... but even the deepest night must bow to the dawn."
Arin's eyes snapped open. The words ignited something inside him—something primal. It wasn't just about using the elements. It was about understanding them on a deeper level. He wasn't fighting against darkness. He was fighting with it, as part of the balance.
With renewed resolve, Arin focused again. But this time, he didn't just summon light to fight the darkness. He reached out to the shadows themselves, feeling their pull, their weight. He accepted them as part of the whole, just as the other elements were.
The darkness that had been gripping his arm faltered, hesitating as Arin's energy began to shift. Slowly, the shadows released him, retreating as if confused by his sudden change in approach.
Arin stood tall, his eyes glowing with a new understanding. The darkness wasn't his enemy. It was part of the cycle.
The Dark Elemental paused, its shadowy form flickering as it sensed the shift in Arin's energy.
"You're not the only one who can use the darkness," Arin said, his voice steady and confident.
With a single motion, Arin raised his hand, and a new beam of energy shot forth—not light, not shadow, but a harmonious blend of both. The beam sliced through the air, cutting straight through the Dark Elemental's core.
The creature let out a final, ear-splitting roar as its form shattered, dissolving into nothingness. The oppressive darkness lifted, and the void around Arin began to fade.
He collapsed to his knees, panting from the exertion. His entire body ached, but a sense of calm washed over him. He had done it. He had passed the trial.
Karya fluttered down to his side, her eyes wide with awe. "Arin, that was... incredible."
"Yeah..." he breathed, struggling to catch his breath. "I guess... I'm starting to get the hang of this."
As the void faded completely, Arin found himself back in the clearing with Enacra. The stone platform and the obelisks still stood, but the Core of Elements now lay dormant, its energy spent.
Enacra nodded approvingly, his golden eyes gleaming with pride. "You've done well, Arin. You've proven your connection to the elements is deeper than most."
Arin managed a weak smile, still catching his breath. "Thanks... but I've got a long way to go."
The Tronoid's expression turned serious once more. "Indeed. You are progressing quickly, but there are forces far greater than you can imagine. Even I... would be powerless against them."
Arin's smile faded, the weight of Enacra's words sinking in. "You're talking about Arcane, aren't you?"
Enacra nodded, his gaze distant. "There are ancient powers at play, Arin. Powers that even I cannot comprehend. Arcane is one of them... but there are others. You must continue to grow stronger if you are to face what lies ahead."
Arin's heart raced at the mention of Arcane, the mysterious figure that even Enacra seemed to fear. He clenched his fists, determination burning in his chest.
"I'll get stronger," he vowed. "No matter what it takes."