The chamber descended into chaos. Shadows erupted from every corner, moving with unnatural speed. Tendrils of darkness lashed out, slicing through the air with a ferocity that sent sparks flying from the stones they struck. Vai charged forward, her sword blazing with fire, cutting through the writhing figures. Her every movement was a dance of destruction, her blade trailing embers in its wake.
Alric, meanwhile, stayed at the edge of the fray, leaning casually against a crumbling column. His smirk grew wider as Vai fought, her frustration visible in every swing of her weapon.
Erwin lingered at the back, his heart pounding as he gripped his daggers. The System Initiative's earlier warning echoed in his mind: "The shadows hide more than danger." This wasn't just a battle. It was a puzzle—a test of more than just physical strength.
Vai snarled as she cleaved another shadow in half, her flames flickering erratically. "You're enjoying this, aren't you, Alric?" she shouted over the clash of steel and the screeches of dissolving shadows.
Alric gave a lazy shrug. "Can you blame me? Watching you struggle is… educational."
Erwin's eyes narrowed. Alric hadn't drawn his weapon. Despite the chaos, the shadows didn't even seem to notice him. They flowed around him like a river around a rock, their focus entirely on Vai.
And on her satchel.
---
Erwin's gaze flicked to the bag at Vai's side. The faint glow of the orb pulsed through the fabric, steady and rhythmic, like a heartbeat. Each pulse seemed to agitate the shadows further, drawing them closer.
The orb wasn't just a key to navigating the ruins—it was a beacon, calling the shadows to it.
"Why didn't he tell us?" Erwin thought, his gaze shifting back to Alric. It clicked: Alric didn't want to fight. He wanted Vai to tire herself out, to let her struggle until she was vulnerable.
Vai lunged forward, her blade igniting in a brilliant arc of flame that incinerated two shadows at once. "Care to help?" she snapped, glaring at Erwin over her shoulder.
Before he could respond, Alric stepped away from the wall, his smirk never faltering. "You're doing fine on your own," he said smoothly. "But you really should keep an eye on your surroundings."
Vai turned sharply, just as Alric's blade flashed toward her back.
---
"Watch out!" Erwin shouted, his voice breaking through the din.
Vai spun, her sword meeting Alric's strike with a deafening clash. Sparks flew, the fire along her blade flaring with her fury. "You bastard," she hissed, shoving him back with a burst of flames.
Alric chuckled, stepping back to avoid the worst of the heat. "Did you really think I was here to help you? You're nothing but a means to an end."
The remaining shadows hesitated, their forms wavering as if unsure of their next move. The orb's pulsing grew erratic, casting harsh light across the chamber.
Erwin's mind raced. The System Initiative flickered into his vision again:
"Deceit thrives in the dark. Illuminate the truth to survive."
The truth was painfully clear: Alric had orchestrated this. The orb was a trap, its light both a lure and a shield. And now, with Vai distracted, he intended to claim it for himself.
---
Vai launched herself at Alric, her fiery blade arcing toward him. He sidestepped with ease, his own sword darting forward in a counterstrike. Their battle was a clash of raw power and calculated precision, each blow sending shockwaves through the chamber.
Erwin hovered at the edges, his daggers held tightly in his hands. He couldn't stand idly by, but he also couldn't trust either of them.
Then he noticed something strange. The shadows were regrouping, their forms coalescing near the orb. They weren't just drawn to its light—they were feeding off it.
Erwin made his decision.
He moved swiftly, stepping between Vai and Alric just as Alric swung his blade. Erwin's dagger deflected the blow, his second blade slicing across Alric's shoulder.
Alric hissed, stepping back. "You've got guts, rookie," he sneered. "But you're out of your league."
Erwin didn't answer. His focus was on the orb. "You're both playing into its hands," he said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.
Vai straightened, her fiery sword flickering as she caught her breath. "And you know better, rookie?" she snapped, her tone sharp.
Erwin ignored the jab. "The orb's the reason the shadows are attacking. They're not here for us—they're here for it."
---
For a moment, silence fell. Even the shadows seemed to pause, their movements slower and more deliberate.
Vai glanced at her satchel, realization dawning in her eyes. "Then we destroy it," she said, her grip tightening on her sword.
Alric laughed. "You'd destroy the one thing that can lead us out of here? Brilliant idea, Vai. Truly inspired."
"We're not leaving until the shadows are dealt with," Erwin interjected. "And right now, that orb is keeping them here."
Vai hesitated, her frustration visible. Alric, however, stepped closer, his blade pointed at the orb. "Fine," he said, his smirk returning. "Hand it over, and I'll take care of it."
Erwin stepped in front of Vai, his daggers held at the ready. "Not happening."
The chamber grew tense, the air thick with unspoken threats. The shadows began to stir again, their forms growing darker and more defined.
"For now, we deal with them," Erwin said firmly. "After that, we settle this."
Vai nodded reluctantly, her sword reigniting. Alric sighed dramatically but raised his blade.
The shadows surged forward, and the battle began anew. But Erwin knew the real fight would come after. Betrayal hung heavy in the air, and trust was a luxury none of them could afford.