Chapter 28: The Whispering Abyss
The path from the Trial of Regret led deeper into the mountain's core. The air grew damp, and the faint hum of energy resonated through the stone, vibrating beneath their boots. The shard in Emryn's hand pulsed with increasing intensity, its light illuminating the jagged walls and casting long shadows ahead.
As the group moved cautiously through the narrowing passage, Garrick broke the silence. "Does anyone else feel like we're being watched?"
"You're not wrong," Eryndra said, her eyes scanning the darkness. "The Caverns of Mourning aren't just testing us—they're aware of us."
"Lovely," Piper muttered, gripping her daggers. "I was hoping for more creepy ambiance."
Kael stayed quiet, the golden chalice tucked securely in his pack. Though he had faced his trial, the weight of the journey ahead was heavier than ever. He could feel it—the pull of something ancient, something malevolent, waiting for them in the shadows.
---
The Chasm
After hours of cautious travel, the passage widened abruptly into a massive cavern. The ceiling stretched beyond the shard's light, lost in darkness. A deep chasm split the room, its edges jagged and sharp. A narrow, crumbling stone bridge spanned the gap, barely wide enough for one person to cross at a time.
Emryn stepped forward, the shard's glow revealing faint carvings on the walls—runes similar to those they had seen in the Vale of Echoes.
"What do you make of these?" she asked, glancing at Eryndra.
The elf studied the runes closely, her golden eyes narrowing. "They're warnings," she said. "This chasm isn't just a natural formation. It's a boundary—a place where the veil between realms is thin."
"Thin enough for what?" Alden asked.
"Thin enough for the Blight to seep through," Eryndra replied grimly.
Piper peered over the edge, her stomach churning as she saw only darkness below. "So, let me guess. We cross this death trap, and then the fun really begins?"
"Pretty much," Garrick said with a smirk, though his grip on his axe tightened.
---
The First Crossing
"I'll go first," Alden said, stepping onto the bridge.
"No," Emryn said quickly. "Let me. The shard's light might keep whatever's down there at bay."
Alden hesitated, then nodded. "Be careful."
Emryn stepped cautiously onto the bridge, the shard held high. The narrow stone creaked beneath her weight, but it held. She moved slowly, her boots skimming the edge as she fought to keep her balance.
The others watched in tense silence as she reached the halfway point. Suddenly, a low growl echoed from the chasm below, followed by a faint rustling sound.
"Move faster," Garrick urged, his voice tight.
Emryn picked up her pace, her heart pounding as the rustling grew louder. She could feel something watching her, its presence like a cold breath on the back of her neck.
Just as she stepped onto the far side, a clawed hand shot up from the darkness, swiping at the edge of the bridge. Emryn stumbled back, narrowly avoiding the attack.
"What was that?" Piper shouted, her eyes wide.
"Something that doesn't want us here," Emryn said, her voice shaking.
---
A Fight in the Shadows
The growling grew louder, and more clawed hands emerged from the chasm, gripping the edges of the bridge. Shadowy forms began to climb upward, their glowing eyes fixed on the group.
"We can't fight on this bridge," Alden said, drawing his sword. "We'll have to hold them off one at a time."
"Great plan," Piper said sarcastically. "Except for the part where we all die."
Garrick stepped forward, his axe gleaming in the shard's light. "We won't die. Not today."
The first creature leapt onto the bridge, its form a twisted mass of shadow and bone. Garrick swung his axe, the blade slicing through the creature with a sickening crack.
Another creature followed, then another, their movements frenzied and erratic. The group fought desperately, their weapons glinting as they held their ground.
"Go!" Garrick shouted over his shoulder. "Cross the bridge! I'll hold them off!"
"No," Kael said, stepping beside him. "We do this together."
The others hesitated, then began crossing the bridge one by one.
---
Kael's Stand
As the creatures swarmed, Kael felt the chalice in his pack grow warm, its golden glow seeping through the fabric. He pulled it free, holding it aloft.
The creatures recoiled, their shrieks filling the cavern as the light from the chalice burned through their shadowy forms.
"It works!" Kael shouted, his voice echoing.
"Then use it!" Garrick said, swinging his axe with renewed vigor.
Kael focused, pouring his will into the chalice. The light grew brighter, forming a barrier around him and Garrick. The creatures screeched and writhed, unable to breach the glowing shield.
"Go!" Kael shouted to Garrick.
"What about you?" Garrick demanded.
"I'll be right behind you," Kael promised.
Reluctantly, Garrick turned and ran, crossing the bridge as Kael held the creatures at bay.
---
A Leap of Faith
As the last of the group reached the far side, Kael felt the chalice's light begin to fade. The creatures, sensing their advantage, surged forward.
Kael turned and sprinted for the bridge, his heart pounding as the stone crumbled beneath his feet. He reached the far side just as the bridge gave way, the creatures plummeting into the chasm below.
The group pulled him to safety, their breaths coming in ragged gasps.
"Nice timing," Piper said, her voice shaky.
Kael managed a weak smile. "Told you I'd be right behind you."
---
The Chamber of Mourning
The group barely had time to catch their breath before the shard's light pulsed again, guiding them to another passage.
"This is it," Emryn said, her voice tinged with both excitement and dread. "The next anchor is close."
The passage led to a large chamber, its walls lined with glowing blue crystals. At the center stood a massive altar, its surface etched with runes that pulsed faintly with dark energy.
The shard in Emryn's hand reacted violently, its light flickering as if fighting against the altar's presence.
"This is the anchor," Eryndra said. "The Blight's power is concentrated here."
"How do we destroy it?" Garrick asked.
"We use the shard," Emryn said. "But it won't be easy. The Blight will defend itself."
---
The Anchor's Guardian
As if on cue, the runes on the altar flared to life, and a towering figure emerged from the shadows. It was humanoid in shape, but its body was made of writhing tendrils of darkness, its eyes glowing with malevolent light.
"Here we go again," Piper said, readying her daggers.
The guardian let out a deafening roar, its tendrils lashing out toward the group. Emryn raised the shard, its light forming a protective barrier around them.
"Keep it distracted!" she shouted. "I'll weaken the anchor!"
The group sprang into action, their movements coordinated despite the chaos. Garrick and Alden engaged the guardian head-on, their weapons clashing against its tendrils. Piper darted in and out, striking at its weak points.
Kael stood beside Emryn, the chalice glowing faintly in his hands.
"Can you hold it off?" she asked.
"I'll try," he said, focusing the chalice's light on the guardian.
---
Shattering the Anchor
Emryn approached the altar, the shard in her hand glowing brighter with each step. The runes on the altar pulsed violently, as if trying to repel her.
"This ends now," she said, slamming the shard into the altar.
A blinding light filled the chamber, accompanied by a deafening crack as the altar split in two. The guardian let out a final, anguished roar before dissolving into smoke.
As the light faded, the group stood in stunned silence. The oppressive energy in the chamber was gone, replaced by a sense of calm.
"It's done," Emryn said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"For now," Eryndra said. "But there are still more anchors to destroy."
Kael looked at the shattered altar, his resolve hardening. "Then we'll destroy them all."
With renewed determination, the group prepared to leave the chamber, ready to face whatever lay ahead. The fight against the Blight was far from over, but they had taken another step toward its end.