Chapter 23: Through the Gateway
Stepping into the vortex was like diving into a storm of light and shadow. The swirling energy tugged at Adam's body, and the world around him melted into a chaotic blur. A cold rush washed over him, and for a moment, he felt weightless, suspended in an endless void.
Then, as suddenly as it began, the sensation stopped.
Adam stumbled forward, landing on solid ground. He blinked, trying to adjust to the dim light of his surroundings. The air was thick and humid, carrying the scent of damp earth and something metallic.
"Henry?" Adam called, his voice echoing in the cavernous space.
"I'm here," Henry replied, emerging from the shadows, his pistol drawn. "Wherever here is."
They were in what appeared to be an underground chamber, much larger than the one they'd left. The walls were lined with ancient carvings, their details faintly glowing with an eerie blue light. In the center of the room stood a massive stone altar, surrounded by a circle of jagged pillars.
Adam approached one of the walls, running his fingers over the carvings. "This place looks ancient. Like, 'forgotten by time' ancient."
Henry nodded, his eyes scanning the room for threats. "It's definitely older than anything I've seen. But what's it for?"
Adam sighed. "Gee, thanks. Very insightful."
Henry ignored the exchange, his attention focused on the altar. He motioned for Adam to follow. "Look at this."
The altar was covered in intricate engravings, depicting scenes of battles, rituals, and strange, shadowy figures. At its center was a large, circular depression, as if something had been removed or was meant to be placed there.
Adam frowned. "So… what now? Do we put something in there, or is this another puzzle?"
Henry studied the engravings. "It might be a keyhole. But for what?"
Before Adam could respond, a faint whisper filled the air. It wasn't coming from any one direction but seemed to emanate from the very walls themselves.
"What was that?" Adam whispered, his heart racing.
Henry stiffened, his grip tightening on his pistol. "We're not alone."
The whisper grew louder, transforming into a guttural chant. The glowing carvings on the walls flared brighter, casting the room in an ominous blue light.
From the shadows between the pillars, figures began to emerge. They were humanoid in shape but shrouded in darkness, their features obscured. Their eyes glowed with the same blue light as the carvings, and their movements were slow and deliberate.
"Great," Adam muttered. "Shadow people. Because that's exactly what we needed."
Henry took a step back, raising his weapon. "Stay close. If they make a move, we fight our way out."
"Fight them? With what?" Adam asked, gesturing at the pistol. "You think bullets work on shadows?"
The figures surrounded the altar, their glowing eyes fixed on Adam and Henry. One of them stepped forward, raising a hand. Its voice echoed in the chamber, deep and resonant.
"WHO SEEKS THE TRUTH OF THE SHADOW TEMPLE?"
Henry glanced at Adam, who shrugged. "Uh… we do?"
The figure tilted its head. "YOU HAVE CROSSED THE THRESHOLD. ONLY THE WORTHY MAY CONTINUE."
"Yeah, we kind of got that from the giant stone guys in the last room," Adam said. "What exactly do you mean by 'worthy'?"
The figure's eyes flared brighter. "YOU MUST FACE THE TRIAL."
Adam groaned. "Of course. There's always a trial."
"Not helping!" Adam snapped.
The shadow figure gestured toward the altar. "PLACE YOUR HAND UPON THE MARK AND PROVE YOURSELF."
Adam hesitated, staring at the glowing depression in the altar. "What happens if I fail?"
"OBLIVION," the figure replied simply.
"Great," Adam muttered. "No pressure."
Henry stepped forward. "Wait. Let me do it."
Adam shook his head. "No way. You've done enough. Besides, if this thing is going to fry someone, it might as well be the guy who started all this."
Reluctantly, Henry stepped back, his jaw tight.
Taking a deep breath, Adam placed his hand on the altar. The glowing light enveloped him, and the room seemed to vanish.
When Adam opened his eyes, he was standing in a vast, empty void. The ground beneath him was smooth and featureless, stretching endlessly in all directions.
"Hello?" he called out, his voice echoing in the emptiness.
Adam turned around, startled. "You're here? How is that even possible?"
As if on cue, the void shifted. Shapes began to form in the distance, growing clearer with each passing moment. Adam's stomach twisted as he recognized the scenes unfolding around him.
They were memories—his memories. Moments from his past, both triumphant and painful, played out like a surreal movie.
"What is this?" Adam asked, his voice trembling.
Adam swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on a particularly painful memory. "Fantastic. Just what I always wanted—an existential therapy session."
The voice of the shadow figure echoed in his mind. "ONLY BY CONFRONTING YOUR TRUE SELF CAN YOU PROCEED."
Adam clenched his fists, bracing himself. "All right, then. Let's do this."
End of Chapter 23