The clash of power reverberated through the chamber as Seris and Malrik collided. Sparks of light and shadow danced wildly, casting eerie silhouettes on the crumbling walls. Malrik's blade came down with the force of a landslide, but Seris sidestepped, the Nexus Flame guiding her movements. Her counterattack unleashed a wave of fire, the heat roaring to life as if the Flame itself recognized its adversary.
Malrik sneered, dark energy coiling around him like a living thing. "Impressive, but you're still out of your depth."
He thrust his hand forward, and a spear of shadow erupted from his palm. Seris barely managed to deflect it with a shield of flame, but the impact sent her skidding back. She gritted her teeth, steadying herself. Her companions were immobilized, their desperate eyes urging her on. The dragon stirred weakly, pinned under the weight of Malrik's magic.
"You think this is just about power?" Malrik taunted, his voice echoing. "The Nexus isn't some gift to be claimed. It's a weapon. A curse. And you are unworthy to wield it."
Seris stood tall, the Flame burning brighter in response to his words. "If it's a curse, then why do you seek it so desperately?" she countered, her voice rising over the roar of energy around them.
Malrik paused, his expression twisting into something almost human—a flicker of pain, quickly swallowed by rage. "To destroy it before it destroys us all," he spat. "You don't know what you're playing with!"
He lunged again, but this time Seris was ready. She raised her hands, and the Flame surged outward, forming a barrier that absorbed his attack. "If you're so afraid of its power," she said, stepping forward, "then why not trust someone who might use it for good?"
Malrik faltered, his blade wavering for the briefest moment. Seris pressed the advantage, her voice steady, her resolve unshaken. "You've let the Shadow consume you, but I still see the man you once were. You've lost hope. But I haven't."
Her words struck a chord, and for a fleeting instant, Malrik's eyes softened. But the darkness around him surged violently, as if feeding on his doubt. "Hope is a fool's lie," he growled, his voice thick with anguish. "And fools die young."
He raised his sword for a final blow, but Seris didn't flinch. Instead, she focused inward, reaching for the Flame's core. She felt its warmth spread through her, filling the cracks in her spirit, weaving itself into the fabric of her very being. It wasn't just power. It was purpose.
With a shout, she unleashed the full force of the Flame. The chamber was bathed in blinding light as fire and shadow collided, the raw energies tearing at the walls and floor. The impact threw Malrik back, his armor cracking as he hit the ground.
The chains holding Dain and Kael dissolved, and the dragon roared as it rose, its golden eyes blazing with approval. "Well done, Flamebearer," it said, its voice filled with pride.
Malrik staggered to his feet, his sword trembling in his grasp. He looked at Seris, his expression a mixture of fury and despair. "This isn't over," he hissed, retreating into the shadows. "The Nexus will break you. Just as it broke me."
And then he was gone, his presence vanishing like a wisp of smoke.
Seris swayed on her feet, the exhaustion of the battle catching up to her. Dain was at her side in an instant, steadying her. "You did it," he said, his voice a mixture of relief and awe. "I don't know how, but you did it."
Kael approached, his gaze lingering on the Nexus Core. "The question is, what now? If Malrik's right, this is only the beginning."
The dragon nodded solemnly. "The Nexus will test you again, Seris. It will demand sacrifices. But for now, you've earned a moment's reprieve."
Seris stepped toward the pedestal, her heart pounding. The crystal pulsed gently, its light inviting yet enigmatic. She reached out, and as her fingers brushed its surface, a wave of energy coursed through her.
Visions flooded her mind—fragmented memories of those who had come before, their struggles, their triumphs, their failures. The Nexus Core spoke not in words, but in feelings, impressions, and truths too vast to be confined to language.
When she finally pulled her hand away, her breath was ragged, her eyes wide. "It's... alive," she whispered. "The Nexus... it's not just a source of power. It's a living thing. And it's afraid."
"Afraid of what?" Kael asked, his voice tense.
Seris turned to face her companions, her expression grim. "Of what's coming. Of what's already begun."
The chamber fell silent, the weight of her words settling over them. Whatever lay ahead, they knew one thing for certain: the trials of the Nexus were far from over. And the shadows threatening their world would not rest until the Flame was extinguished—or unleashed.
let's join Our Paid stories on Patreon
click this:
p@treon com/Horizons685