The crevice led them into an open cavern, its vast expanse illuminated by faint, flickering light emanating from a massive chasm at its center. The heat of the Ashen Wastes lingered, but there was a strange stillness here, a quiet that carried an edge of foreboding.
Kael rested his hands on his knees, catching his breath while his eyes adjusted to the dim glow. Tharion stood nearby, surveying the cavern with the practiced caution of a warrior. Their guide, the cursed knight, seemed almost invigorated, as if the oppressive atmosphere energized him.
"This is the entrance to the relic's resting place," the knight said, gesturing toward the chasm. "What lies beyond will test every shred of strength you have—physical, magical, and otherwise."
Kael straightened, his chest still heaving. "What kind of test?"
The knight's grin was faint but visible. "A divine one. The gods left more than wrathlings to guard their secrets. They also left trials meant to prove the worth of those who seek their power. It won't be easy."
Tharion stepped forward, his tone impatient. "Enough riddles. Where do we go?"
"Down," the knight replied, pointing to the chasm.
Kael approached the edge, peering into the abyss. The faint glow pulsed like a heartbeat, and he could just make out jagged rock formations and narrow ledges. "How far down?"
"Far enough," the knight said. "You'll see soon enough."
Kael exchanged a wary glance with Tharion. They didn't have time for hesitation. Every moment spent deliberating brought the Shadow closer.
The descent was treacherous, the crumbling ledges barely wide enough to support their weight. Kael focused on his footing, his staff in one hand while the other gripped the rock wall. Tharion moved with practiced ease, his bulk seemingly unaffected by the precarious climb. The knight, unsurprisingly, descended with an almost unnatural grace, his movements fluid and unerring.
The cavern grew darker as they descended, the faint light dimming with each step. The air thickened, and Kael felt a growing pressure, as though the weight of the stone above them was pressing down on his chest.
Finally, they reached the bottom, a narrow platform that overlooked a massive door carved into the rock face. The door was adorned with intricate glyphs that seemed to shimmer faintly, despite the absence of light. Kael's magic pulsed faintly in response, a tingling sensation running through his fingers.
The knight stepped forward, his voice low. "The first trial awaits beyond this door. Are you ready?"
Kael swallowed hard. "Do we have a choice?"
The knight didn't answer. Instead, he placed a hand on the door. The glyphs flared brightly, and a low rumble echoed through the cavern as the door began to open.
Beyond the threshold lay a circular chamber, its walls lined with glowing runes. In the center stood a pedestal, atop which rested a crystalline shard that pulsed with faint light.
"That's it," Kael whispered.
"The relic," the knight confirmed. "But reaching it won't be as simple as walking across the room."
As if on cue, the runes along the walls flared to life, and the chamber began to shift. The floor cracked and fragmented, the pieces rising into the air to form a series of floating platforms. At the same time, ghostly figures emerged from the walls, their forms flickering like shadows caught in a storm.
"What are those?" Kael asked, his voice tinged with alarm.
"Echoes," the knight said. "Reflections of the gods' wrath, bound to protect their creations. They will test your strength and resolve. Fail, and you'll join them."
Tharion drew his sword, its blade gleaming faintly in the rune-light. "Let's get this over with."
The first echo lunged toward them, its form shifting and twisting as it moved. Tharion met it head-on, his blade cutting through the air with brutal precision. The echo dissipated on contact, but two more took its place, their movements erratic and unpredictable.
Kael raised his staff, his magic flaring as he unleashed a burst of light. The blast struck one of the echoes, scattering it into wisps of shadow, but the effort left him winded.
"These things aren't slowing down," he said, glancing at the knight.
"They won't," the knight replied, his own blade cutting through an approaching echo. "Not until you prove yourselves."
Kael gritted his teeth and focused, channeling his magic into a protective barrier around himself and Tharion. The echoes swarmed around them, their attacks relentless, but the barrier held firm.
Tharion took advantage of the reprieve, his blade moving in a blur as he cut through the nearest echoes. Despite his efficiency, more kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless.
"We can't keep this up," Kael said, his voice strained.
"The trial isn't about endurance," the knight said. "It's about finding the truth within the chaos. Look closer."
Kael frowned but did as instructed, his eyes scanning the chamber. The echoes moved erratically, their forms shifting like smoke, but there was a pattern to their movements, a rhythm that seemed to align with the pulsing light of the relic.
"It's a test of harmony," he realized.
"Precisely," the knight said. "You must align yourself with the relic's essence. Only then will the trial end."
Kael nodded and closed his eyes, focusing on the pulsing light. He let his magic flow outward, tuning it to match the rhythm of the relic. Slowly, the echoes began to falter, their forms flickering and fading.
Tharion noticed the change and stepped back, allowing Kael to take the lead. The mage's light grew brighter, and with a final burst of energy, the echoes dissolved completely.
The chamber fell silent, the runes dimming as the platforms settled back into place. Kael stumbled, exhaustion washing over him, but Tharion caught his arm and steadied him.
"You did well," the knight said, his tone almost approving.
Kael managed a weak smile. "Let's just get the relic and get out of here."
They approached the pedestal cautiously, half-expecting another trial, but the room remained still. Kael reached out and took the crystalline shard, its surface cool and smooth beneath his fingers.
The relic pulsed faintly in his hand, and he felt a surge of energy, a connection to something vast and ancient.
"This is only the beginning," the knight said, his voice solemn. "The next relic will be even harder to claim."
Kael nodded, his determination renewed. They had taken the first step, but the journey ahead was far from over.