The air in the passage was damp and stale, carrying a faint metallic scent that made Aelric's stomach churn. Their only light came from Lyra's magic, the soft glow casting eerie shadows on the walls.
"Stay close," Seraphina warned, her sword raised. "Whatever's down here, it doesn't want us finding it."
The passage twisted and turned, the walls narrowing as they descended. Aelric felt the weight of the stone above them, the oppressive silence pressing in on his ears.
Finally, they emerged into a cavernous chamber. The floor was slick with water, and the air pulsed with energy—dark, heavy, and alive. In the center of the room stood an altar, its surface covered in runes that pulsed with the same purple light as the symbols on the gate.
"This isn't just a hideout," Lyra said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's a conduit. They're channeling dark magic directly into the city."
Aelric approached the altar cautiously, his hand tightening around his sword. "Why here? Why build this under the castle?"
"Because it's the perfect place to corrupt," Lyra said. "The closer they are to the heart of power, the more damage they can do."
Seraphina scanned the room, her eyes sharp. "We need to destroy this. Now."
Before they could act, a figure emerged from the shadows, cloaked and hooded. Their voice was low and taunting. "You're too late, little heir."
Aelric stepped forward, his sword raised. "Who are you? Why are you doing this?"
The figure laughed, the sound echoing through the chamber. "You think destroying the Shadow King ended the darkness? You're a fool. The Eternal Shadow cannot be destroyed. It will consume everything—including you."
The figure raised their hands, and the runes on the altar flared to life. The room shook as shadows poured from the walls, coalescing into monstrous forms.
"Fight!" Aelric shouted, as the creatures charged.
The battle erupted in chaos, the chamber filled with the clash of steel and the crackle of magic. Aelric fought with all his strength, the light of his pendant cutting through the darkness. Lyra cast protective barriers, while Seraphina struck down shadow beasts with precision.
But the figure on the altar remained untouched, their laughter growing louder as the room filled with darkness.
As the battle raged, Aelric realized with a sinking heart—they weren't just fighting to survive. They were fighting to stop the darkness from spreading, and they were losing.