The blinding light faded, and Elric stumbled back, clutching the Heart. His cursed markings pulsed in erratic waves, burning hotter with each throb of the artifact's power. Around him, the chamber transformed, the smooth stone walls twisting into jagged, blackened ridges. The statues had vanished, replaced by an oppressive silence that gnawed at his nerves.
Grizzle groaned beside him, still gripping the first orb. "Boss, uh, is this supposed to happen? Because it feels… bad."
Elric didn't answer. He was too preoccupied with the storm brewing in his mind. The Heart had unlocked something—a floodgate of memories that weren't his own. Faces flashed before his eyes: soldiers locked in battle, mages chanting in desperation, a city in flames. Over it all, a single voice whispered, cold and familiar.
"Vaelorath… You carry my burden now."
Elric's grip on his sword tightened as he scanned the warped chamber. The voice seemed to come from everywhere, its weight pressing down on him like a physical force. Grizzle, for once, seemed too frightened to crack a joke, his wide eyes darting around the room.
The shadows at the far end of the chamber coalesced, taking the form of a robed figure wreathed in black mist. Its face was obscured, but its presence radiated a palpable power that made Elric's cursed markings crawl.
"You have claimed the Heart," the figure said, its voice both commanding and mournful. "But you remain unworthy. To wield its power, you must pass the final trial. Only then can you face the truth of what you are."
Elric scowled, his sword raised. "Another trial? What is it with you glowing death traps and your endless tests?"
The figure extended a hand, and the ground beneath them crumbled. Elric and Grizzle fell into darkness, their screams swallowed by the void.
---
When Elric opened his eyes, he was lying on a cracked expanse of blackened stone. The air was heavy, thick with the metallic tang of blood. Above him, the sky churned with swirling gray and violet clouds, streaked through with veins of crimson light. In the distance, jagged mountains loomed, their peaks glowing like embers.
Grizzle stirred beside him, coughing as he sat up. "Where are we now? And why does it always have to be someplace terrifying?"
Elric pushed himself to his feet, his gaze sweeping the strange landscape. "If I had to guess? We're somewhere we're not supposed to survive."
A guttural roar echoed across the plains, and both of them turned to see a massive creature lurching toward them. Its body was a grotesque fusion of flesh and metal, with glowing red eyes and jagged claws that scraped against the ground.
Grizzle groaned. "Yup. Definitely not supposed to survive."
Elric drew his sword, the cursed markings flaring brighter. "Run or fight?"
Grizzle sighed, already inching backward. "Do you even have to ask?"
The creature charged, and Elric met it head-on. Their clash sent shockwaves rippling through the air, sparks flying as his blade scraped against the beast's armored hide. But the monster was relentless, swiping at Elric with claws that left deep gouges in the ground. One hit sent him sprawling, pain lancing through his ribs.
"Grizzle!" Elric shouted, struggling to stand. "Do something!"
The goblin hesitated, then held up the orb. "Here goes nothing!" He aimed it at the creature, and a beam of searing light shot forth. It struck the beast in the chest, and the monster howled as its body convulsed. Moments later, it collapsed into a heap, its remains disintegrating into ash.
Grizzle stared at the orb in disbelief. "Did I just do that?"
"Apparently," Elric muttered, brushing himself off. He glanced at the horizon, his expression grim. "But something tells me that was just the beginning."
---
As they pressed on, the cracked obsidian gave way to a barren wasteland littered with ruins. Broken towers jutted from the ground like skeletal fingers, and the air was thick with the scent of decay. Elric felt the weight of the Heart growing heavier with each step, its energy pulsing in time with his cursed markings.
The visions returned, stronger now. Elric saw flashes of battles long past—warriors falling, cities burning, the anguished faces of the innocent. A single name echoed through his mind, spoken in a voice that chilled him to the core.
"Vaelorath."
"Boss," Grizzle said, his voice tinged with concern. "You're looking… worse than usual. And that's saying something."
"I'm fine," Elric lied, though his grip on the Heart was trembling. "Let's keep moving."
The ruins came alive around them. Shadows twisted into humanoid shapes, their forms flickering like dying flames. Each one bore a familiar face—friends, enemies, and those Elric had failed to save. Their voices rose in unison, a haunting chant that filled the air.
"You cannot escape who you are."
Elric swung his sword at the nearest shadow, but it dissolved into smoke, reforming a moment later. Grizzle tried to help, tossing a bolt of energy from the orb, but the shadows ignored him entirely.
"They're not real, boss!" Grizzle shouted. "It's some kind of illusion!"
"Then why do they hurt?" Elric snapped, wincing as a shadow's blade sliced across his arm.
The shadows began to converge, forming a towering figure that loomed over him. Its voice was deep and cold, filled with malice. "The Heart demands a sacrifice. What will you give, cursed one?"
Elric faltered, his blade lowering. The figure raised a massive hand, its shadowy claws poised to strike. Grizzle stepped forward, clutching the orb tightly.
"If anyone's sacrificing something, it's me," the goblin said, his voice trembling but resolute. "I've had enough of watching you carry this crap alone."
"Grizzle, don't—"
The orb flared, its light engulfing the shadows. The towering figure let out a roar of rage, its form unraveling as the energy consumed it. But the strain was too much for Grizzle. He collapsed, the life draining from his face.
Elric caught him before he hit the ground. "Grizzle!" he shouted, shaking the goblin. "Don't you dare die on me, you little idiot!"
Grizzle gave a weak smile. "Guess… I overdid it, huh?"
The Heart pulsed again, and Elric felt a surge of power unlike anything he had experienced before. The remaining shadows were obliterated, leaving the ruins eerily silent.
Elric cradled Grizzle, his jaw set as he looked down at his companion. "You're not dying," he muttered, his voice thick with emotion. "Not here. Not now."
The Heart flared once more, and the world around them began to shift again.