Kael, Dante, and Elara were assigned to a training mission. The objective was to recover a lost artifact from a cave protected by magical traps and demonic creatures.
The journey to the cave was tense. Dante led the group with confidence, while Kael followed closely behind, still resentful of his previous defeat. Elara remained silent, watching both with a calculating gaze.
As they entered the cave, they were immediately engulfed by an oppressive darkness. The walls were covered with glowing runes that pulsed like living hearts. Kael tried to light a torch, but Elara raised her hand, conjuring a sphere of light that illuminated the path.
— Impressive. — Kael murmured, though he was reluctant to admit it.
As they explored, Kael accidentally triggered a trap. Spears shot out from the walls, forcing the group to throw themselves to the ground. Dante didn't miss the opportunity to criticize.
— You're going to get us killed, Tenebris. Pay attention.
Kael gritted his teeth but remained silent. They continued until they found a large chamber, where a group of mid-level demons awaited them. The battle was intense. Kael fought with fury, but he realized he couldn't win alone. He relied on Dante and Elara, who combined their abilities to defeat the enemies.
In the end, Kael held the artifact— a shining crystal that seemed to contain a pulsating energy. He felt something strange when he touched it, as if the crystal were trying to communicate. But before he could understand, Dante approached, placing a hand on Kael's shoulder.
— Don't just stand there. We're not out of danger yet.
Kael nodded, placing the crystal in his backpack. However, as he did so, a wave of energy radiated from the artifact, illuminating the chamber. The group braced themselves for another attack, but what appeared before them was a translucent figure, like a hologram.
The figure took the form of an ancient warrior, dressed in ornate armor that gleamed with golden light. His voice echoed throughout the cave:
— You dare touch the legacy of the Celestials. Prove yourselves worthy, or be destroyed.
Suddenly, the ground trembled. The chamber walls began to move, revealing statues that came to life. Stone golems, covered in magical runes, advanced toward the group.
— Great, more trouble. — Dante muttered, drawing his sword.
Kael assumed a defensive stance, while Elara already began conjuring spells. The ensuing battle was even more intense than the one with the demons. The golems were immune to common attacks, forcing the group to combine their skills.
Kael used his brute strength to deflect blows and create openings, while Dante and Elara exploited the creatures' weak points. Finally, with a combined strike — Elara's spell immobilizing the largest golem and Dante's sword piercing its core — the last guardian fell.
Exhausted, the three of them exited the chamber. Before leaving, Kael glanced at the crystal one last time, feeling a strange connection with it. Something inside him told him that this was just the beginning of something much larger.