The shard's pulse was deafening now, its dark light filling the chamber with an unearthly brilliance. The carvings along the walls seemed to writhe, their glowing symbols twisting into incomprehensible shapes as if alive.
Caius stood at the edge of the pedestal, his flames flickering around him. The masked figure had retreated into the shadows, their chanting growing louder as they directed their remaining followers. The battle still raged around him—Elara's blade clashed against a dagger-wielding opponent, while the stranger's silver runes glowed bright as they unleashed bursts of energy.
But Caius's focus was on the shard. Its pull was stronger than anything he had felt before, a magnetic force that reached deep into his soul. The Keeper's voice echoed in his mind.
"The shard will test you—and it will break you if you are not worthy."
He took a step closer, the flames around him growing brighter.
The Keeper's Warning
The Keeper's translucent form flickered, its glowing eyes fixed on Caius. "You do not understand the power you seek to claim," it said, its voice resonating through the chamber. "The shard remembers its master, and it will demand that you prove yourself."
Caius met the Keeper's gaze, his jaw tightening. "I don't have a choice. If I don't claim it, someone else will. Someone worse."
The Keeper tilted its head, the faintest hint of curiosity in its glowing eyes. "Then step forward, child of fire. Let the shard judge you."
Caius hesitated for only a moment before reaching out.
The moment his fingers brushed the shard, a surge of energy shot through him, and the world around him dissolved into darkness.
Caius opened his eyes to find himself standing in a void, the ground beneath his feet smooth and reflective like black glass. The air was thick with the scent of ash and smoke, and in the distance, faint whispers echoed, too quiet to understand.
A figure emerged from the shadows, its form tall and imposing. Its crimson eyes burned like embers, and its presence filled the void with an oppressive weight.
Caius froze. He recognized the figure.
"The Demon King," he whispered.
The figure stepped closer, its voice deep and resonant. "You wear my power like a mantle, but do you understand what it means? What it demands?"
Caius clenched his fists, the flames around his hands flaring to life. "I'm not like you."
The Demon King chuckled, the sound low and rumbling. "No. You are not yet. But the shards will change you, as they changed me. They will test your strength, your will—and they will consume you if you falter."
"I won't falter," Caius said firmly.
The Demon King's eyes narrowed. "Then prove it."
The air around Caius erupted into fire and shadow as the Demon King lunged, its massive form moving with terrifying speed. Caius barely had time to raise his flames in defense, the force of the impact sending him skidding across the void.
"You are weak," the Demon King said, its voice cutting through the darkness. "You cling to humanity, to mortal bonds, but they will break under the weight of power."
Caius gritted his teeth, pushing himself to his feet. "I don't need to break. I'll fight for them—for the people who matter."
The flames around him burned brighter, coiling into a shield as he charged forward. He struck at the Demon King with all his strength, his fire meeting its shadow in a clash that shook the void.
But the Demon King was relentless, each strike heavier than the last. Caius staggered under the onslaught, his flames flickering as doubt began to creep in.
"You cannot win," the whispers in the void said, their voices cold and cruel. "You are not strong enough."
"No!" Caius shouted, his flames surging as he pushed back against the darkness. "I won't let this power control me. I'll use it to protect the people I care about!"
The Demon King paused, its crimson eyes narrowing. For a moment, the whispers fell silent.
The void shattered, and Caius gasped as the world around him snapped back into focus. He was back in the chamber, the shard in his hand glowing brightly. The power coursing through him was overwhelming, but he forced himself to stay steady.
The Keeper watched silently, its translucent form flickering. "You have passed the shard's test, but your journey is far from over. The power you claim comes at a cost."
Caius nodded, his grip on the shard tightening. "I'll bear it. Whatever the cost is, I'll bear it."
Around him, the battle had shifted. Elara stood over the last of her opponents, her sword glinting with blood as she turned to face the masked figure. The stranger, their runes dim but still glowing, stepped beside her.
The masked figure's chanting stopped as their gaze locked on Caius. For the first time, their composure faltered.
"You claimed it," they said, their voice laced with disbelief—and fear.
Caius stepped forward, the shard's glow radiating from his hand. "Leave now, and you might live."
The figure hesitated, their masked face tilting slightly as if weighing their options. Then, with a sharp motion, they raised their staff. "This isn't over."
A surge of dark energy erupted around them, and in an instant, they and their remaining followers vanished, leaving only the faint scent of smoke behind.
The chamber grew silent, the light from the shard casting long shadows across the cracked stone floor. Caius lowered his hand, the shard's energy settling into a faint hum.
Elara approached him, her emerald eyes scanning his face. "What happened? When you touched the shard, it looked like…"
"Like I wasn't here," Caius finished quietly. He glanced at her, his expression guarded. "It showed me something. A warning."
Elara frowned, her grip on her sword tightening. "A warning about what?"
Caius hesitated, his gaze dropping to the shard. "About what happens if I fail."
The stranger stepped forward, their silver eyes narrowing. "And what happens if you succeed?"
Caius didn't answer.
As they left the temple, the air outside felt colder, the weight of the shard heavy in Caius's hand. He glanced at Elara, her determined expression softening slightly when their eyes met.
"We'll figure it out," she said quietly, her voice steady.
Caius nodded, though the flicker of doubt in his chest remained. The shard had tested him—and though he had passed, the echoes of the Demon King's warning lingered.
"You cannot escape what you are."