The sight of the mountain that once seemed unattainable now rose imposingly before Dinis, growing with every step he took toward it. He felt the weight of his journey and the significance of this moment. Ever since the Oracle had indicated its location, Dinis had longed for this day, but now that he was so close, unease invaded him, bringing to the surface memories of his last moments with his parents and all the years of relentless searching.
Finally, after days of climbing and careful exploration around the mountain, he found an almost hidden entrance in the rock. It was an unusual opening, the edges sculpted symmetrically and almost refined, as if it had been shaped by ancient and skilled hands. At first glance, the entrance seemed like a common cave, but upon crossing it, he realized it was deeper and more mysterious than he could have imagined.
A few hours of walking inside the cave transformed the initial twilight into total darkness. The only source of light was a torch that Dinis carried, casting dancing shadows on the rocky walls and revealing the extent of the seemingly endless tunnel. Each step echoed muffledly, while absolute silence enveloped the environment, and he was no longer sure how long or how deep he had ventured into the mountain.
As he advanced, he began to notice a change in the environment. The air was becoming denser and warmer, and a faint orange luminescence began to appear in the distance, creating undulating shadows that seemed alive. He felt his heart accelerate as he approached this source of light and heat, until finally the darkness around him gave way to a reddish twilight, almost suffocating, emanated by the flames and lava that ran along the distant walls.
His heart seemed to weigh with each step. Memories of his mother and father mixed with thoughts about everything he could have changed, what he could have done to save them. The image of their faces—their smiles in their last moments—filled his mind, a mixture of tenderness and pain. If they were alive, what would they think of his path, of the determination that had guided him to this place? The answer to his questions was getting closer and closer, but the fear of failure was also increasing.
Finally, the source of light became clear before him, revealing a surreal scene. Ahead, Dinis glimpsed a vast field that resembled an ancient battlefield. The ground was covered with weapons of all shapes and sizes, from broken swords to cracked shields and axes corroded by time. Rusted armors lay like lifeless bodies, while crumbled skeletons completed the ghostly scenery. It was a silent testimony of ancient battles, proof of the lost lives that once occupied that place.
Further ahead, several lava streams flowed down the walls, filling the environment with an oppressive heat. Flames danced along the terrain, casting an orange and intermittent light that illuminated the place with suffocating intensity. The elevated temperature made him sweat, and the air was dense and difficult to breathe. The heat radiated from the rivers of lava, distorting vision and making the shadows seem to move with a life of their own.
Amid the heat and chaos of the abandoned battlefield, he spotted a narrow stone bridge leading to a circular platform deeper inside. The contrast between the warm glow of the flames and the absolute emptiness at the end of the cave was disturbing. The platform seemed to be plunged into a deep, impenetrable darkness, as if the lights of the lava and flames simply refused to reach that point.
With cautious steps, Dinis approached the stone bridge, observing the platform with curiosity and apprehension. He took the torch and threw it toward the darkness, hoping the light would unveil whatever was hidden. However, the torch disappeared into the air, swallowed by the darkness as if it had never existed. It was as if that place rejected any form of illumination.
Then, he felt a sudden change. A deep, sharp pain pierced his chest, an icy sensation that seemed to cut to his bones. His heart stopped for a moment and then began to beat rapidly, as if trying to escape his own body. His breath caught, and a cold sweat covered his skin. He felt an indescribable fear, a sense of smallness he had never experienced before. It was as if he were in the presence of something beyond his comprehension, something so ancient and powerful that his very existence seemed insignificant in comparison.
The darkness before him began to condense, forming a point of dense energy that seemed to suck all the light around. The feeling of oppression increased, and Dinis felt the air around become heavier, as if the very space was bending around that presence. Beside the growing point of darkness, a faint and serene light began to emerge, as if a hidden balance was manifesting. It was a light that did not compete with the shadows but coexisted with them—a mysterious and incomprehensible duality.
Finally, two figures emerged in the distance, outlined by the strange fusion of light and darkness. They were imposing and unwavering—a presence absolute that radiated a power beyond human understanding.