The room seemed to hold its breath after the reflections dissipated, the oppressive silence weighing heavily on the trio. Kael sheathed his sword but kept his hand near the hilt, his senses on edge. Seris and Caden exchanged weary glances, their exhaustion evident, but their determination unbroken.
The faint golden light from the staircase began to flicker, then died out entirely, plunging them into darkness.
"Well, that's not ominous at all," Caden muttered, raising his shield as if it would help against the encroaching blackness.
A new light ignited before them, soft and eerie, illuminating a doorway that had not been there before. The door was unlike anything they had seen—half of it was crafted from pristine white stone, etched with intricate golden runes that pulsed faintly. The other half was jagged, blackened metal, its surface marred with deep scratches that oozed a dark, viscous liquid.
Seris frowned. "Two sides of the same door?"
Kael stepped closer, studying the strange structure. The golden runes seemed warm, almost inviting, while the blackened metal radiated a cold, malevolent energy.
"It's a choice," he said quietly, his voice carrying a weight he didn't fully understand.
"A choice for what?" Caden asked, his tone wary.
Kael shook his head. "I don't know. But this is the Void's way. It's testing us, forcing us to pick a path."
The whispers returned, faint but insistent, curling around Kael's mind like smoke.
"The golden light will blind you. The dark path will free you."
Seris shivered, rubbing her arms. "Does anyone else hear that?"
Kael nodded. "It's trying to sway us."
Caden scowled. "Let's destroy the damn thing and move on."
As if in response, the doorway shimmered, and two figures appeared—one standing on each side. On the golden side, a woman cloaked in radiant light stepped forward, her face serene but her eyes hollow. She extended a hand toward Kael.
"Kael, the light has always guided you," she said, her voice melodic but unnerving. "Step through, and you will find salvation."
From the blackened side, a figure emerged cloaked in shadows, its form constantly shifting. It spoke in a deep, guttural voice. "The light will betray you. The Void offers truth. Step through, and you will find power."
Seris and Caden instinctively moved closer to Kael, their weapons at the ready.
"This feels like a trap," Seris whispered.
"It's always a trap," Caden growled.
Kael's heart pounded as he stared at the two figures, each promising a path forward. The golden woman radiated warmth, but there was something off about her gaze—too empty, too cold. The shadowed figure's voice was like nails scraping against stone, yet it spoke with a strange sincerity.
"What happens if we pick neither?" Kael asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil within him.
The figures spoke in unison, their voices overlapping. "You will remain trapped. Forever."
The chamber began to shift, the walls closing in slowly. The weight of the decision pressed down on them, the air growing heavier with each passing second.
Seris looked at Kael, her voice urgent. "We have to make a choice. Whatever this is, we can't stay here."
Caden frowned. "But which one? They both seem wrong."
Kael closed his eyes, reaching for the flicker of light that had guided him before. The whispers swirled around him, urging him to choose. He could feel the pull of both sides, each one tempting in its own way.
"Kael," the golden woman said softly, her hand still extended. "You've always sought the light. Do not stray from the path."
"Kael," the shadowed figure rumbled, its form rippling. "You have felt the Void's power. Embrace it, and you will become unstoppable."
Kael opened his eyes, his gaze steady. "You're both lying," he said, his voice calm but firm.
The figures faltered, their forms flickering.
Kael stepped forward, his sword drawn. "I've walked this far not because of the light or the Void, but because of the people standing with me." He turned to Seris and Caden, his resolve clear. "We don't need to choose their path. We'll carve our own."
The figures let out a simultaneous shriek, their forms dissolving into nothingness. The door began to crack, light and shadow bleeding together in a chaotic swirl. The room shook violently, and the trio braced themselves as the doorway shattered, revealing a new path—a narrow, winding staircase descending into darkness.
Seris exhaled sharply. "That was… unexpected."
Caden glanced at Kael, his expression a mix of respect and disbelief. "You just told both of them to shove it. Didn't think that was an option."
Kael sheathed his sword, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "It's always an option."
Without another word, they began their descent, the whispers fading into silence. But as they ventured deeper, Kael couldn't shake the feeling that their defiance had only made the Void more determined to break them.