William steadied himself, the lingering effects of his encounter with the Thornveil leaving his limbs heavy and his thoughts scattered. Yet, amidst the haze, a newfound clarity emerged—he had taken a step towards mastering the darkness that resided within him. The name Thornveil now carried weight, not just as a source of power but as a part of his identity, woven into the very fabric of his being.
Elara's voice pulled him back to the present. "William… your last name…" Her expression was a mix of relief and concern. "I didn't know you remembered it. Or did the Thornveil… show you?"
Garret's eyes flickered with curiosity. "Thornveil, huh? I'd say it suits you, given the circumstances."
William hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of his newfound understanding. "It wasn't just a memory," he replied. "The Thornveil… it's a name linked to this power, connected to whatever this curse truly is. I think the Thornveil's origins go deeper than I realized. There's more to uncover."
Garret frowned. "So, you've remembered your name, but not much else? Or are you still figuring out who you are?"
William's gaze was distant as he spoke. "It's not that simple. I don't think I was ever just an ordinary person before coming to Elarion. There's something about the Thornveil that feels… ancient, like it's been a part of me far longer than I can remember."
Elara reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Whatever the truth is, you're still you, William. Don't let the Thornveil's influence take that away."
A rumble echoed through the cavern as the obelisk trembled once more. The blue crystals scattered around the room started glowing brighter, casting eerie shadows across the chamber walls. The energy within the obelisk appeared to be growing unstable again, its power surging in erratic bursts.
"Whatever happened when you interacted with the Thornveil, it's affecting the relic," Elara said, her voice tense. "We need to get out of here before this whole place collapses."
William nodded, pushing his thoughts aside for now. "Let's move. We'll discuss what happened later."
The trio sprinted towards the cavern's exit, with William leading the way. As they weaved through the twisting passageways, the energy fluctuations became more violent. Rocks began to fall from the ceiling, and fissures snaked across the walls, threatening to split the ground beneath their feet.
Suddenly, a deep, guttural growl resonated through the corridors. Garret halted abruptly, his gaze fixed on a shadowy figure emerging from a side passage. The creature was unlike any they had encountered before—it resembled a cross between an Abyssal Shade and a beast of the forest, its form twisted and mutated by the corruption. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent crimson light as it bared its fangs.
"Looks like the forest's corruption is creating some new horrors," Garret muttered, unsheathing his blade. "Ready for another fight?"
Before William could respond, the corrupted creature lunged at them, moving with unnatural speed. He barely managed to evade its claws, the Thornveil flaring up within him in response. As the darkness coursed through his veins, his senses sharpened, and the world around him seemed to slow down.
[System Alert: Thornveil Symbiosis Activated]
Combat Synchronization - Enhanced Reflexes.
William channeled the Thornveil's energy into his strikes, his blade weaving through the air like an extension of his will. Each swing felt more precise, more controlled, as if the Thornveil was guiding his movements. The creature howled in pain as his blade sliced through its corrupted flesh, dark energy spilling out like smoke.
Elara and Garret joined the fray, their coordinated attacks driving the creature back. Elara's magic erupted in bright bursts, creating openings for Garret's strikes, while William kept the creature's attention focused on him. But even as they fought, the cavern's instability grew worse, and the ground began to crack beneath their feet.
"Finish it quickly!" Elara shouted. "This place won't hold much longer!"
William gritted his teeth, feeling the Thornveil's power surge one last time. With a roar, he thrust his blade into the creature's chest, unleashing a wave of dark energy that tore through its body. The beast let out a final, agonized cry before collapsing into a heap of ash and shadow.
The cavern trembled violently, and without wasting another moment, the trio sprinted towards the exit, just as a massive rockslide closed off the passage behind them.