The tunnel eventually widened, revealing a cavernous space illuminated by faint blue bioluminescence from moss-like growths along the walls. Vero and Levin paused at the entrance, their breaths visible in the cold air. The oppressive darkness from before had dissipated, but the eerie silence remained.
"This place feels... off," Levin muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Vero nodded, his eyes scanning the cavern. It was vast, the ceiling disappearing into shadows, while jagged stalagmites rose from the ground like the teeth of some long-dead beast. At the center stood a peculiar structure—a stone dais carved with intricate symbols.
The shard in Vero's hand pulsed faintly, drawing his attention toward the dais. "It's reacting to something," he said, stepping forward.
Levin frowned, following close behind. "Let's hope it's not another one of those shadow things."
As they approached the dais, the symbols etched into its surface began to glow, faint at first but gradually intensifying. Vero placed the shard on the dais, and the glow spread outward, illuminating more of the cavern. Lines of light traced ancient runes and patterns across the walls, creating a web of interconnected symbols.
A low hum filled the air, and the cavern seemed to vibrate with energy. Levin took a cautious step back, his hand on his dagger. "Uh, Vero, tell me this is supposed to happen."
Before Vero could respond, the hum intensified, and a figure materialized above the dais. It was translucent, like a projection, but its presence was palpable. The figure was cloaked in flowing robes, its face obscured by a hood.
"Bearer of the Shards," the figure intoned, its voice echoing throughout the cavern. "You have come far, but your journey is only beginning."
Vero straightened, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his sword. "Who are you? And what is this place?"
The figure tilted its head slightly, as if studying him. "I am but a remnant, a shadow of those who came before. This place is a sanctuary of knowledge, a fragment of the past preserved within the void."
Levin crossed his arms, skepticism evident on his face. "A sanctuary, huh? Doesn't feel very welcoming with all the shadow monsters roaming around."
The figure turned toward Levin, its tone unchanging. "The guardians exist to protect what lies within. They are not bound by malice but by duty."
"Some duty," Levin muttered under his breath, but he didn't press further.
Vero stepped closer to the dais, his gaze fixed on the figure. "What do you mean, a fragment of the past? What am I supposed to learn here?"
The figure raised a hand, and the runes along the walls flared brighter. Images began to form, flickering like memories projected onto the stone.
"You seek answers, Bearer," the figure said. "But knowledge comes at a price. To understand the shards, you must first understand their origin."
The images coalesced into a scene of a vibrant world, its skies filled with shimmering light pillars. People moved through cities of crystalline towers, their every movement imbued with purpose and grace.
"This was the world as it once was," the figure explained. "A realm of harmony, sustained by the shards—then whole, unbroken."
The scene shifted, the light pillars dimming as cracks spread across the crystalline towers. Shadows began to creep across the land, consuming everything in their path.
"But with great power comes great responsibility," the figure continued. "The shards, though powerful, were unstable. When their balance was disrupted, chaos ensued."
Vero's jaw tightened as the scene darkened, showing a massive explosion that shattered the crystalline towers and scattered fragments of the shards across the void.
"The echoes you encounter are remnants of that chaos," the figure said. "They are fragments of memories, bound to the void by the destruction of the shards. And you, Bearer, are tasked with restoring what was lost."
Levin scoffed, though his expression was more serious than usual. "No pressure or anything."
Vero ignored him, his focus on the figure. "If the shards caused all this destruction, how am I supposed to fix it? What if it happens again?"
The figure's tone softened, though it remained enigmatic. "The shards are neither good nor evil. They are a tool, a source of power. Their purpose depends on the one who wields them."
Vero frowned, his mind racing. "So it's up to me. I have to make sure they're used the right way."
"Indeed," the figure said. "But know this, Bearer: the path you walk is fraught with danger. The shards will test you, and there are those who would seek to claim their power for themselves. You must remain vigilant."
Levin stepped forward, his arms crossed. "Okay, but how does this help us right now? We've been chased, attacked, and nearly killed, and we still don't know where we're going."
The figure turned toward Levin, its gaze piercing despite its lack of visible eyes. "The path is never clear, Watcher, but the shard will guide you if you listen."
Levin blinked in surprise. "Watcher? What's that supposed to mean?"
The figure did not answer. Instead, it raised its hand again, and the light in the cavern began to fade. "Your journey continues, Bearer. The answers you seek lie ahead, but beware—shadows are not the only danger you will face."
As the figure dissolved, the light from the runes faded, leaving only the faint glow of the shard. The cavern was silent once more, the hum of energy replaced by an oppressive stillness.
Levin let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Well, that was cryptic. Do you think we can trust anything it said?"
Vero picked up the shard, his expression thoughtful. "I don't know. But it's clear the shards are more dangerous than I thought."
"Great," Levin said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "More danger. Just what we needed."
Vero managed a small smile despite the weight of the figure's words. "Come on. Let's keep moving. If what it said is true, we're going to need all the time we can get."
Levin sighed but followed, his usual grin returning. "Lead the way, oh mighty Bearer. Just try not to get us killed, okay?"
As they left the cavern, the shard's glow seemed brighter, more focused, as though it had a clearer purpose. But Vero couldn't shake the figure's parting words. Shadows were not the only danger they would face.
What else lay ahead, waiting for them in the depths of the void?