The second set of doors loomed tall and imposing, their surface smooth and black like polished obsidian. Ancient runes spiraled outward from the center, glowing faintly in an ever-changing pattern that made it hard to focus. The whispers grew louder, swirling around Kazuya, Lyriana, and Kaelith, their words incomprehensible yet filled with a sinister undertone.
Kazuya stepped forward, his hand hovering over the door. The cold emanating from it bit into his skin, but he didn't waver. He glanced back at his companions.
"This is going to get worse," he warned. "If either of you wants to turn back, now's the time."
Kaelith snorted, gripping his sword tightly. "Not a chance. I didn't come all this way just to run now."
Lyriana gave him a sidelong look before turning her attention to Kazuya. "We're with you. No matter what lies ahead."
Kazuya nodded, then placed his hand on the door. The runes flared to life, their light blinding for a moment before the doors swung inward with a low, resonating groan.
Beyond the threshold was a pitch-black corridor. The whispers grew louder, the air heavier, as though something was pressing down on them.
"This is... unnatural," Lyriana murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She held a glowing arrow in her hand, the soft light pushing back the darkness just enough to reveal the path ahead.
Kazuya stepped inside, his senses on high alert. The corridor felt endless, the oppressive silence broken only by the whispers that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once.
---
The Maze of Shadow
As they walked deeper into the corridor, the walls seemed to shift and ripple like living shadows. Kaelith grunted, his unease palpable. "This place... it's like it's alive."
Lyriana tightened her grip on her bow. "It is. The Sanctum isn't just a structure—it's a living, sentient thing. It feeds on those who enter."
"Good to know," Kaelith muttered. "Just another reason to get out of here as fast as possible."
They continued walking, the corridor twisting and branching into multiple paths. Each turn seemed identical to the last, the oppressive darkness making it impossible to tell which way they had come.
Kazuya paused at a fork in the path, his brow furrowing. "This isn't just a corridor. It's a maze."
Lyriana closed her eyes, focusing on the faint hum of magic that surrounded them. "The Sanctum is trying to trap us. It's testing us again."
Kaelith sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Great. First evil clones, now an endless maze. What's next, a monster jumping out of the walls?"
As if in response, a low growl echoed through the corridor, sending a chill down their spines.
Kaelith groaned. "I had to say it, didn't I?"
---
The Shadow Beast
The growl grew louder, accompanied by the sound of claws scraping against stone. From the darkness ahead, two glowing red eyes appeared, followed by a hulking shadowy figure.
The creature was massive, its body shifting and writhing like smoke given form. It had no discernible features, save for its claws and glowing eyes, but its presence was suffocating.
Lyriana quickly notched an arrow, her hands steady despite the fear creeping up her spine. "That thing... it's not alive. It's made of pure shadow magic."
Kaelith unsheathed his sword, the blade glinting faintly in the dim light. "Any idea how to kill it?"
"Dispel it," Lyriana replied. "Light magic should work. But something that big... it'll take a lot of power."
Kazuya stepped forward, his sword drawn. "Then we'll hold it off until we can figure something out."
The beast lunged, its claws slashing through the air. Kazuya dashed to the side, his enhanced speed allowing him to avoid the attack.
"Dash."
He closed the distance between himself and the beast, his blade cutting through its smoky form. The creature roared, recoiling, but the wound quickly closed, the shadows knitting back together.
Lyriana loosed an arrow, the light-infused projectile striking the beast's shoulder. It let out an ear-piercing screech, the area around the wound flickering before the shadows reformed.
"It's vulnerable to light, but it's healing too fast!" Lyriana called out.
Kaelith charged in, his sword glowing faintly as he struck at the beast's legs. The creature swiped at him, forcing him to retreat, but he managed to leave a deep gash in its limb.
"We need to hit it all at once," Kazuya said, dodging another attack. "Focus your attacks on the same spot!"
---
The Light Within
The three coordinated their strikes, Kazuya and Kaelith distracting the beast while Lyriana aimed for its core. With each hit, the beast's form grew more unstable, the shadows flickering and dissipating.
Kazuya's sword glowed brighter with each strike, the energy within him surging. He could feel it—the power his grandfather had always spoken of. The strength to protect those he cared about.
"Lyriana, now!" Kazuya shouted.
Lyriana released her arrow, the glowing projectile striking the beast square in the chest. The creature let out a deafening roar, its form collapsing in on itself.
Kazuya dashed forward, his blade slicing through the remaining shadows. With one final strike, the beast disintegrated, the darkness fading into nothingness.
The corridor fell silent, the oppressive weight lifting slightly.
Kaelith wiped the sweat from his brow, letting out a relieved laugh. "Well, that was fun. Let's not do it again."
Lyriana lowered her bow, her sharp eyes scanning the area. "The Sanctum won't let us off that easily. We need to keep moving."
Kazuya nodded, his grip tightening on his sword. "Let's go. The longer we stay here, the more dangerous it'll get."
---
The Inner Chamber
After what felt like hours, they finally reached the end of the maze. A massive door stood before them, its surface shimmering with an iridescent glow. Unlike the previous doors, this one exuded a strange warmth, as though inviting them in.
"This is it," Lyriana said, her voice filled with both awe and trepidation.
Kaelith frowned. "Are we sure we want to go in there? After everything we've seen, I wouldn't be surprised if this door led straight to our deaths."
Kazuya stepped forward, his expression resolute. "Whatever's behind this door, we need to face it. We didn't come all this way to turn back now."
Kaelith sighed, sheathing his sword. "You're too stubborn for your own good, you know that?"
Lyriana smiled faintly. "It's what makes him a good leader."
Kazuya placed his hand on the door, the warmth spreading through him as it slowly swung open. Beyond it lay a vast chamber bathed in golden light. At its center was a pedestal, upon which rested a glowing orb that pulsed with energy.
"This is it," Kazuya said, his voice barely above a whisper. "The source of the Sanctum's power."
But as they stepped into the chamber, the golden light began to shift, darkening to an ominous red. The whispers returned, louder and more menacing, as the ground beneath them began to tremble.
"Something's coming," Lyriana warned, her bow at the ready.
Kazuya drew his sword, his gaze fixed on the pedestal. Whatever lay ahead, he was ready.