The floating stones beneath Daegal's boots shifted subtly with each step, their movement almost imperceptible yet enough to demand his full focus. They formed a spiraling pathway that wound upward around the obelisk, the air growing thinner with each ascent. The hum emanating from the massive spire grew louder, resonating within his chest like a drumbeat. Below him, the ruins seemed to shrink, their weathered structures dissolving into a misty expanse.
Daegal paused to steady himself on a broader platform that jutted out from the path. He crouched low, his sharp eyes scanning the surrounding sky. Clouds drifted lazily, tinged with faint hues of gold and violet, as if painted by the obelisk's radiance. His hand rested instinctively on the hilt of his sword, prepared for any sudden danger.
"So far, no guardians," he muttered. "But that would be too easy."
As if on cue, a distant screech pierced the air, high and grating. Daegal straightened, his muscles coiled with tension. From the veil of clouds ahead, a shadow emerged—massive wings slicing through the mist. The creature revealed itself in full moments later: a scaled beast with a serpent-like body and talons sharp enough to rend steel. Its eyes glowed the same eerie green as the stone he had claimed earlier.
"A test, then," Daegal said, unsheathing his blade with a deliberate motion. The golden shard embedded in its core flared brightly, its energy sparking like lightning against the darkened blade.
The serpent-beast lunged with astonishing speed, its maw opening to unleash a torrent of searing green flames. Daegal leaped to the next stone platform just as the flames engulfed the one he'd stood on, the heat singing the edge of his cloak. He rolled upon landing, rising smoothly to his feet as the creature circled back for another attack.
Daegal studied its movements, noting the way its wings flexed and the way its tail whipped to maintain balance mid-flight. Timing would be crucial. He stepped to the edge of the platform, crouching low as though inviting the beast to strike.
When it dove, Daegal sprang into motion. He dashed forward, leaping at the last second to avoid its snapping jaws. As the serpent streaked past, he lashed out with his sword, the golden energy arcing through the air and slashing deep into the creature's scaled flank. The beast roared in pain, banking sharply to avoid losing its momentum.
Daegal landed heavily on another stone platform, the impact jarring his knees. He wasted no time, keeping his eyes locked on the serpent as it prepared for another assault. This time, the creature's tail whipped toward him, a blur of motion aimed at sweeping him off the narrow path. He ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding the strike, then pivoted to unleash a focused burst of energy from his blade. The attack struck the serpent's wing, tearing through the membrane and sending it into an unsteady spiral.
"Not so invincible," Daegal remarked, his lips curling into a smirk.
The serpent, now wounded and furious, changed tactics. It hovered at a distance, its chest swelling with energy. Daegal's instincts screamed a warning, and he dove for cover just as a concentrated beam of green light shot from the creature's mouth. The platform he'd been standing on disintegrated instantly, leaving only glowing embers in its wake.
Daegal gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He couldn't afford to keep reacting; the beast's ranged attacks would eventually corner him. He needed to end this quickly. He focused his energy, channeling the shard's power into his blade until it glowed brighter than ever. Then he sprinted toward the next ascending platform, closing the distance between himself and the serpent.
As the beast lunged again, Daegal launched himself skyward, using the serpent's own momentum to propel himself onto its back. The creature thrashed wildly, its scales slick and unyielding beneath his boots. Daegal drove his sword into the base of its neck, the golden energy exploding outward in a radiant pulse.
The serpent let out a final, ear-splitting cry before its body dissolved into shimmering particles, much like the beast he had defeated earlier. The particles swirled around Daegal, then converged on the shard in his blade, enhancing its glow.
With the serpent vanquished, the path ahead stabilized, the floating stones aligning themselves in a straight line leading directly to the top of the obelisk. Daegal ascended cautiously, his senses alert for any further challenges. When he reached the summit, he found himself standing on a circular platform that radiated a soft, golden light.
At the platform's center was a pedestal, atop which rested an object unlike anything Daegal had seen before. It was a crystalline sphere, its surface etched with intricate runes that seemed to shift and change as he approached. Within the sphere, a swirling storm of energy danced, a mixture of gold, green, and violet that pulsed with a rhythm that matched his heartbeat.
As Daegal reached for the sphere, the air grew heavy, and a voice echoed in his mind—the same voice that had spoken to him in the fortress.
"You have come far, Daegal Dark. The power you seek lies within your grasp, but the question remains: what will you do with it?"
Daegal hesitated, his hand hovering above the sphere. "You've asked me this before," he said aloud. "And I gave you an answer. I'll wield it to uncover the truths of this world and decide its future."
The voice was silent for a moment, as though weighing his response. Then it spoke again, softer this time. "Truth is a path fraught with peril. Power without understanding leads only to ruin. Will you endure what lies ahead?"
Daegal's eyes hardened, his resolve unshakable. "I have endured every trial you've placed before me. I'll endure whatever comes next."
As his fingers closed around the sphere, a surge of energy coursed through him, more intense than anything he had experienced before. The platform around him dissolved, replaced by a vast expanse of swirling light. Images and sensations flooded his mind—visions of ancient battles, civilizations rising and falling, and the inexorable march of time. He saw the faces of those who had come before him, each one bearing the weight of their choices.
In the midst of the chaos, a single figure emerged—a robed man with eyes that burned like twin suns. His expression was unreadable, but his presence radiated authority.
"You are the first in centuries to reach this place," the figure said, his voice resonating with a power that seemed to shake the very fabric of reality. "You have proven yourself worthy, but know this: the power you now hold is both a gift and a curse. Use it wisely, or it will consume you."
Before Daegal could respond, the vision faded, and he found himself back on the platform, the sphere now glowing faintly in his hands. The obelisk's hum had ceased, and the ruins below were eerily silent, as though holding their breath.
Daegal stared at the sphere, his mind racing with possibilities. The journey was far from over, but for the first time, he felt as though he held the key to understanding the mysteries that had eluded him for so long.
"Gift or curse," he said, slipping the sphere into his pouch alongside the core and the shard. "We'll see about that."
With a final glance at the horizon, Daegal descended the path, the weight of his newfound power tempered by the unyielding determination in his stride.