The newly revealed passageway spiraled downward, its smooth stone walls illuminated by faint streams of golden light running along the grooves. The hum of the Veil had grown deeper, resonating in their bones like a solemn chant.
Kaelen's boots scuffed softly against the steps as he descended. "The deeper we go, the heavier everything feels. I don't like it."
Taronis, ever calm, adjusted his grip on his blade. "That weight isn't fear—it's history. We're walking through a tomb of memories."
Drakar remained silent, the amulet of the Keeper of Promises resting heavily against his chest. The faint warmth it pulsed felt almost like a heartbeat, as if it was alive.
The staircase opened into a grand antechamber carved entirely from polished blackstone. Columns adorned with twisting, glowing runes reached toward the ceiling, where constellations were etched in golden lines. At the center of the room stood a dais with a large brazier, its flame flickering weakly.
Kaelen studied the brazier. "Looks like it's on its last breath."
Drakar stepped forward, placing his hand over the dim flame. His emberlit tattoos shimmered faintly as the flame flared in response. The fire pulsed brighter, casting long shadows along the walls.
Taronis's gaze sharpened. "We're not alone."
The Warden of Ash and Gloom
From the shadows behind the columns emerged a tall figure clad in ancient, blackened armor. Its helm was shaped like the maw of a beast, and the pauldrons bore the remnants of wings long shattered. In its gauntleted hand, it carried a double-headed glaive that pulsed with dark fire.
The creature's eyes glowed a pale, hollow blue. Its voice was low and ragged. "Why do you kindle the dying flame?"
Drakar stepped forward, his voice steady. "To restore what was lost."
The warden's grip tightened on its weapon. "Only ruin lies beneath the embers." The creature shifted into a defensive stance, its glaive humming with energy.
Kaelen pulled an arrow from his quiver. "Looks like talking isn't going to work."
The warden charged, its movements swift despite the weight of its armor. Drakar raised his dagger, summoning flames that coiled around his blade. Their weapons clashed, the sound reverberating through the chamber like a bell's toll.
Clash in the Dark
The warden's glaive spun in deadly arcs, forcing Drakar onto the defensive. Sparks flew as their weapons met, fire and shadow colliding in bursts of light.
Taronis circled to the right, his blade igniting with blue fire. He slashed at the warden's exposed side, but the creature twisted with unnatural speed, deflecting the blow.
Kaelen loosed an arrow infused with starlight runes. The projectile struck the warden's shoulder, causing its armor to crack and glow faintly. The warden let out a growl and swept its glaive in a wide arc, sending a shockwave that shattered the brazier's weak flame.
Drakar skidded back but caught his balance. He whispered, "Ignis Surge." His tattoos flared as heat coursed through his veins. Flames erupted from his feet as he surged forward, his dagger burning brighter than ever.
The warden met him head-on, their blades sparking as they collided again. Drakar slid beneath its next swing and drove his dagger upward into the joint of the warden's armor.
The warden howled, but instead of retreating, it released its glaive and grasped Drakar's arm with immense strength.
Taronis dashed forward, slashing at the warden's wrist, forcing it to release its grip. Kaelen followed up with another enchanted arrow that exploded in a burst of violet light.
The Flame Reborn
The warden staggered, its armor cracked and glowing. Drakar seized the moment and raised his dagger high. The brazier's remaining embers flared in response, as if lending him their strength.
With a roar, Drakar plunged his dagger into the warden's chest. Emberlight surged through the creature's body, and cracks of molten light spread across its armor. The warden's hollow eyes dimmed, and its form dissolved into a cascade of ash and embers.
The brazier's flame reignited fully, burning bright and steady.
Taronis lowered his blade, breathing heavily. "It wasn't just a guardian... it was bound to the flame."
Kaelen brushed ash from his sleeve. "Bound by what, though?"
Drakar stepped closer to the brazier and reached into the flame. Instead of burning him, it coiled gently around his hand, revealing a small, silver key etched with runes.
Taronis's eyes narrowed. "A key... but to what?"
Drakar held the key up, feeling its hum resonate with the amulet around his neck. "We're about to find out."
The chamber began to shift, the walls parting to reveal another set of stairs descending even deeper.
Kaelen groaned. "Down again?"
Drakar's faint grin returned. "One step closer."