The narrow corridor beyond the great doors stretched into the unknown, its walls glistening like polished obsidian adorned with veins of pale blue light. Each step sent faint ripples of energy along the floor, as though the Bastion itself was waking with their passage.
Kaelen ran his hand along the smooth surface of the wall. "This place feels... alive."
Taronis nodded. "The Veil's influence is strongest here. Stay alert."
Drakar led the way, his emberlit eyes scanning the dim path ahead. The rhythmic hum of the Veil grew louder, thrumming in his bones. He tightened his grip on his dagger, the warmth of the blade a constant reminder of his resolve.
The corridor opened into a vast hall, its ceiling arched high above like the night sky, embedded with glowing crystal formations that formed constellations. A circular dais stood at the center, surrounded by faintly shimmering glyphs.
Kaelen let out a low whistle. "It's like stepping into a dream."
Taronis's gaze darkened. "Or a trap."
The Celestial Sentinel
As if in answer, the constellations above flickered and rearranged, forming the outline of a massive, winged figure. The light condensed and descended, taking solid form. A towering construct of shimmering starlight and obsidian stood before them, its wings arched like a celestial guardian. Its eyes glowed with a cold silver fire.
Kaelen took a step back, nocking an arrow. "What... is that?"
Taronis drew his blade. "A sentinel of the Bastion."
The construct's voice resonated through the hall, low and commanding. "Only those who bear the strength of the cosmos may proceed. Defy the stars, and be undone."
Drakar stepped onto the dais, meeting the construct's gaze. The runes beneath his feet flared, tracing glowing pathways up his legs and arms. He felt the Bastion's hum synchronize with his heartbeat.
"Strength isn't just force," Drakar said, his voice steady. "It's resilience."
The construct's wings spread wide, releasing a wave of shimmering energy that sent tremors across the hall.
Battle Beneath the Stars
The sentinel surged forward, its form blurring with light. Drakar raised his twin ember shields just as the construct's massive arm came crashing down. The impact reverberated through the chamber, cracking the stone beneath Drakar's feet.
Taronis moved like a shadow, his blade tracing a swift arc that struck the sentinel's flank. The construct's armor shimmered but held firm.
Kaelen leapt onto a nearby pillar, loosing two arrows in rapid succession. The first arrow embedded itself into the construct's shoulder, while the second burst into violet flames. The sentinel staggered slightly, its head turning toward Kaelen.
"Did I get its attention?" Kaelen muttered.
"Unfortunately," Drakar called as he deflected another crushing blow.
The sentinel's wings beat once, sending a concussive shockwave through the chamber. Kaelen was thrown from the pillar, landing hard on the stone floor. Taronis skidded back, his boots grinding against the stone to keep his balance.
Drakar's eyes narrowed. He couldn't rely on brute force alone.
He let out a steady breath and whispered, "Infernum Lumen."
Flames erupted along the edge of his dagger, forming a blade of pure ember light. The sentinel lunged, its celestial spear thrusting toward him. Drakar sidestepped, twisting his body and driving the flaming dagger upward. The blade struck true, piercing through the construct's torso.
The sentinel's form flared, light spilling from the wound like a broken star. It let out a deep, resonant sound—a cry that seemed both sorrowful and proud.
Taronis capitalized on the opening, his blade glowing with blue flame as he cleaved through the sentinel's left wing. The construct staggered, the ethereal appendage disintegrating into fragments of light.
Kaelen, regaining his footing, drew a deep breath and pulled a glowing arrow from his quiver—the Starpiercer Arrow. The runes along its shaft pulsed with power as he aimed.
"Drakar, now!" Kaelen shouted.
Drakar surged forward, flames trailing behind him like a comet's tail. He leapt high, meeting the sentinel's gaze head-on.
The sentinel raised its remaining wing in defense, but Kaelen's arrow streaked across the chamber, striking true. The Star piercer Arrow pierced through the center of the construct's chest, its light flaring one final time before the entire form collapsed into a cascade of glowing stardust.
A Fading Whisper
As the stardust settled, a soft whisper filled the hall. "You bear the burden well... may the stars guide your path."
The dais pulsed once before a second set of doors at the far end of the hall groaned open, revealing a path lined with softly glowing blue stones.
Kaelen let out a shaky breath. "I really hope that was the hardest part."
Taronis sheathed his blade, wiping a streak of glowing dust from his arm. "It won't be."
Drakar stood in silence, watching the last motes of stardust fade. His emberlit eyes dimmed slightly as he whispered to himself, "We'll endure."
The hum of the Veil pulsed again, steady and resonant. The next step lay ahead.