The darkness within the cave grew deeper, but the brief calm they felt didn't last long. A faint rumbling echoed from afar, like the sound of something massive approaching.
"Is that them?" Sophie asked, her voice trembling.
Ricky shook his head slowly, his expression serious. "No. This is something else…"
Kieran quickly stood up, gripping the primitive weapon he had carried since the journey began. "We have to get out of here. If we stay inside, we'll be trapped."
Keeper, standing at the cave's edge, gave them a sharp look. "Do you want to live? Then listen carefully… We won't run. We must face it."
The rumbling grew louder. The sand on the cave floor began to tremble, making every step feel heavier. In the distance, a flickering orange light appeared.
"Fire?" Sophie asked in confusion.
"No. That…" Keeper paused, narrowing his eyes, "That's a larger Remnant. They're coming."
"A larger Remnant?" Ricky stared at Keeper in confusion. "You said those creatures were shadows of a dying world. What do you mean by 'larger'?"
Keeper took a deep breath, as if the question brought back painful memories. "There are many types of Remnants. Some are small, mere shadows with no clear form. But there are also those that have merged with this world. They don't just hunt humans; they consume everything that remains."
Kieran spun around swiftly. "We need to get out now! Staying here is suicide!"
Before they could move, the cave walls began to quake violently. A large crack opened, emitting a bright orange glow, like molten magma. From the fissure emerged a giant figure, towering like a spire, its body covered in blazing red crystal.
"Run now!" Keeper shouted, pushing Sophie forward.
Ricky grabbed Sophie's hand tightly, pulling her out of the cave as fast as he could. Behind them, the rumbling grew louder, accompanied by intensifying tremors. The sand outside the cave glowed orange from the light, heightening the ominous atmosphere.
"They're chasing us!" Sophie cried in panic.
"We can't fight it!" Ricky replied, panting. "We need a plan!"
"To that hill!" Keeper pointed at a distant sand dune towering above the wasteland. "There's something there. If we can reach it, we might stand a chance."
The path to the hill wasn't easy. Fierce winds began to blow, carrying scorching sand that obscured their vision.
Kieran, running at the rear, occasionally glanced back to ensure the giant Remnant wasn't too close.
"How much farther?" Ricky shouted over the howling wind.
"Not far!" Keeper responded, still sprinting. "Stay together!"
As they neared the hill, the sand beneath their feet suddenly gave way, causing them to fall into a natural tunnel. Sophie screamed as her body was swallowed by the collapsing sand. Ricky reached for her hand, struggling to pull her up.
"I won't let go!" Ricky shouted.
With one final effort, Ricky managed to pull Sophie free. They landed on the tunnel floor, gasping for breath. Kieran and Keeper soon followed, their faces covered in dust and sand.
"Where are we?" Sophie asked softly.
Keeper scanned their surroundings. "This tunnel… It's part of an ancient underground network. We're safe for now."
Before they could catch their breath, the heavy footsteps of the giant Remnant echoed louder. Ricky looked at Keeper anxiously. "What do we do now?"
Keeper gave a faint smile, though exhaustion was evident on his face. "We may not be able to fight them… but there's something down here that might help us."
"What do you mean?" Kieran asked sharply.
"The Heart of the World," Keeper replied with conviction. "If we find it, we might be able to end all of this."
"You're speaking as if you know everything," Kieran said, stepping closer to Keeper, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Why do I feel like you're hiding something from us?"
Keeper remained calm, though his gaze darkened. "I know a lot because I was once part of those who built this world before everything fell apart."
Ricky and Sophie exchanged glances. "You're one of the Ancient Keepers?" Sophie asked, her voice trembling.
"I was, once. But now I'm just someone trying to fix past mistakes," Keeper answered. "The Heart of the World was the core that maintained balance before everything turned into a barren wasteland. If we can reactivate it, we might be able to stop the Remnants."
"But how do we find it in this labyrinth?" Ricky asked, looking around at the endless stone walls.
"Trust me," Keeper said, placing his hand on the tunnel wall. "This labyrinth was built as the last line of defense. We just need to follow the signs."
Before anyone could ask further, the rumbling returned, louder this time. The giant Remnant they had left behind was now forcing its way into the tunnel.
"We have to move!" Kieran yelled, gripping his weapon tightly.
They ran down the narrow corridor. Dim light from crystals embedded in the walls illuminated their path, but the tension didn't ease. Every step felt like it brought them closer to an uncertain end.
After some time, they entered a large chamber with a high ceiling and walls covered in ancient glowing symbols. In the center of the room stood a blue crystal pillar, emitting a soft light.
"The Heart of the World…" Sophie whispered.
Before they could approach, a deep voice echoed through the chamber. "You've come far for something you'll never have."
They all turned. From the shadows at the edge of the room emerged a tall man with glowing red eyes. It was Draven.
"You…" Ricky growled through gritted teeth. "What are you doing here?"
Draven smiled faintly, his expression full of confidence. "I'm here to ensure this world remains dead. And you… won't be able to stop me."
*****
Why does Draven want the world to remain dead? Who is he truly, and what is his connection to the Remnants and the Heart of the World? A great conflict is about to unfold