The ground trembled violently beneath their feet, sending shards of stone crashing down from the temple's ceiling. Dust filled the air, choking their lungs as Kael, Seris, and Caden scrambled to their feet.
The Void's power still lingered around Kael like an oppressive shroud, the air crackling faintly with its unnatural energy. Seris reached out, gripping his arm as another tremor rocked the chamber.
"Kael, snap out of it! We have to move!"
Kael shook his head, his vision swimming. He could feel the Void clawing at his mind, its whispers louder than ever. Every step forward felt like he was dragging chains behind him, but Seris's urgent voice cut through the haze.
"I'm fine," he muttered, though his trembling hands betrayed him.
Caden gestured toward the crumbling archway ahead. "This whole place is coming down! We need to find a way out now!"
Kael nodded, forcing himself to focus. The three of them bolted toward the archway, dodging falling debris as the temple seemed to groan and twist around them.
They barely made it into the next corridor before a massive chunk of stone slammed into the ground behind them, sealing off their path.
"Great," Caden muttered, wiping sweat and dust from his face. "We're trapped in a death maze with no way back."
Seris scanned the corridor, her sharp eyes catching the faint glow of runes etched into the walls. "Not trapped. Look."
The runes pulsed faintly, shifting like living veins of light. Their patterns led further into the temple, deeper into the unknown.
Kael frowned. "It's a guide."
"Or a trap," Caden countered, his tone grim.
Kael glanced back at the blocked passage, then at the glowing runes. "We don't have a choice."
Without waiting for an argument, he started forward, his companions reluctantly following.
The whispers began again, growing louder with every step they took. They weren't faint or indistinct this time. The voices were sharp, taunting, and filled with venom.
"Kael… murderer… betrayer…"
He grit his teeth, refusing to respond, but the voices persisted, each word cutting deeper into his psyche.
"You failed her… you'll fail them too…"
Kael's steps faltered, and Seris grabbed his arm. "Hey! Don't listen to whatever this place is throwing at you. Stay with us."
He nodded, swallowing hard. "I'm fine. Let's keep moving."
They pushed on, the runes leading them into a vast chamber that seemed impossibly large. Columns stretched high into the darkness above, and the air was thick with the stench of decay.
Seris froze, her hand on her weapon. "Do you hear that?"
The sound was faint at first—a wet, slithering noise that seemed to come from all directions.
Caden drew his sword, his eyes scanning the shadows. "Something's here."
A low growl echoed through the chamber, and the temperature dropped sharply. From the shadows emerged a monstrous figure, its form shifting and twisting like liquid. Its body was made of darkness, its eyes glowing a sickly green.
The creature let out a guttural roar, its voice layered with countless whispers.
"Welcome, Kael," it hissed, its words dripping with malice. "I have been waiting."
Kael stepped forward, his sword drawn. "Who are you?"
The creature's grin widened, revealing rows of jagged teeth. "I am the gatekeeper. The Void has chosen you, and I am here to see if you are worthy."
Caden moved to Kael's side, his blade ready. "We don't have time for this. If it wants a fight, let's give it one."
Kael held up a hand, stopping him. "This is my fight."
"Kael, you can't—" Seris started, but Kael cut her off.
"I have to. If I don't face this, we're not getting out of here."
The creature chuckled, the sound reverberating through the chamber. "Brave words. But bravery means nothing here. Show me your strength, Chosen of the Void."
It lunged, moving with inhuman speed. Kael barely had time to raise his sword as the creature's claws slashed toward him. Their blades collided with a deafening clang, and the force sent Kael skidding backward.
The creature didn't relent, striking again and again, each blow heavier than the last. Kael gritted his teeth, his arms trembling as he blocked its relentless attacks.
"You are weak," the creature taunted, its voice echoing in Kael's mind. "You will never control the Void. It will consume you."
Kael's vision blurred, the whispers in his mind growing louder. He could feel the Void's power surging within him, begging to be unleashed.
"Let me in," the creature whispered, its voice soft and insidious. "Give in, and I will make you unstoppable."
Kael's grip tightened on his sword, his knuckles white. For a moment, he hesitated, the Void's temptation clawing at his resolve.
Then Seris's voice rang out, cutting through the haze. "Kael! Don't let it win!"
Her words grounded him, and he roared, unleashing a surge of Void energy that engulfed the creature. The chamber shook as the power collided with the darkness, a blinding light consuming everything.
When the light faded, the creature was gone, and Kael stood in the center of the chamber, his chest heaving.
Seris and Caden rushed to his side, their faces pale with worry.
"Kael…" Seris began, but he shook his head.
"Let's go," he said, his voice steady but hollow. "We're not done yet."
As they left the chamber, the whispers returned, their tone darker and more menacing.
"You will fall, Kael. You cannot escape us."
Kael didn't respond, but deep down, he knew the Void was right. It was only a matter of time.