Elias's body ached as though he had been crushed beneath the weight of a mountain. Every muscle protested as he slowly opened his eyes, blinking at the dim glow of the temple walls. Lines of light pulsed faintly along the stone, rhythmic and calm, like a steady breath.
The cold ground beneath him offered no comfort, but at least he was alive. That counted for something, didn't it?
He groaned, running a hand across his face, his mind hazy and sluggish.
"Did anyone catch the plate number of the truck that ran me over?" he muttered, his voice a weak croak.
The silence was broken by Camille's sharp tone.
"If you're still breathing enough to joke, you can get up," she said, seated a few feet away on a broken stone pillar. Her arms were crossed, her expression hovering somewhere between amusement and impatience.
Elias shot her a weak glare but knew better than to argue. With a grunt, he pushed himself upright, his body screaming in protest as he did.
"Remind me again why you thought throwing me into a fight with those… things was a good idea?" He groaned, rubbing his shoulder. "What happened to basic training? You know, like, 'How Not to Die 101'? That sounds more my speed."
Camille arched an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by his sarcasm. She stood gracefully, brushing off dust from her coat.
"The Lines don't come with a manual, Elias. They don't tell you what to do. They respond to who you are, not who you wish to be. If you're waiting for them to hold your hand, you're already dead."
Elias let out a long sigh, but deep down, he knew she was right. It didn't make him hate her less for saying it, though.
The Test of Harmony
Camille motioned for Elias to follow her. Together, they walked through the ancient corridors of the temple, their footsteps echoing faintly in the still air.
The walls were carved with intricate patterns that glowed faintly, their luminous designs shifting as though alive. Elias couldn't help but feel as though the temple was watching him, judging his every step.
They eventually arrived in a circular chamber, smaller than the others they'd explored but no less impressive. At its center was a raised platform, etched with glowing runes that shimmered faintly in a warm golden light.
Elias eyed the setup warily.
"Let me guess," he said. "This is another one of your 'totally safe' ideas?"
Camille ignored his sarcasm. She reached into her coat and withdrew a radiant crystal, its surface catching the light and refracting it in brilliant patterns. She placed it carefully in the center of the platform. The runes on the floor flared brighter in response, pulsating in sync with the crystal's glow.
"This," she began, "is a Harmony Platform. It's designed to reveal your connection to the Lines. Every chosen host has a unique affinity, and if you're going to survive what's coming, we need to know what yours is."
Elias folded his arms, his skepticism clear.
"And what if I don't have any affinity? Maybe I'm just some random guy who got stuck with a magical medallion by mistake."
Camille fixed him with a steely gaze, her sharp eyes cutting through his doubt.
"The Lines don't make mistakes," she said firmly. "If they chose you, there's a reason. Now, stop wasting time and step onto the platform."
Elias hesitated for a moment, but the weight of her words left little room for argument. With a reluctant sigh, he climbed onto the platform, the glowing runes flaring slightly under his feet.
"And now?" he asked, glancing at her nervously.
Camille stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder. Her expression shifted to one of quiet seriousness.
"Now," she said, "you put your hands on the crystal. Focus. Let the Lines speak."
Elias stared at the glowing crystal, unsure whether to feel awe or dread. Slowly, he reached out and placed his hands on its cool, smooth surface.
The Awakening of the Lines
The moment his fingers touched the crystal, a surge of warmth spread through his body. It was comforting at first, like sunlight breaking through storm clouds, but it quickly shifted into something deeper, stranger.
It felt as though invisible threads were extending from his mind, connecting him to something vast, ancient, and alive.
The runes beneath him blazed brighter, and streams of golden light shot up from the platform, weaving intricate patterns in the air.
Then, unexpectedly, threads of darkness appeared. They slithered into the patterns like ink spilled into water, twisting and curling around the golden light. The two forces danced together, starkly opposed yet eerily harmonious.
The voice returned, calm and mechanical:
Elias opened his eyes, staring at the strange dance of light and shadow swirling around him. His heart raced as he watched the interplay, equal parts beautiful and terrifying.
"What… does this mean?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Camille's expression shifted, surprise flickering in her usually calm demeanor.
"Light and Shadow…" she murmured.
"Okay, great," Elias said, his nerves fraying. "Is that a good thing? Or a 'your body might explode' kind of thing?"
Camille hesitated before responding.
"Light and Shadow are opposites, Elias. The Light represents creation, protection, purity. The Shadow, on the other hand, is chaos, unpredictability, destruction. Balancing the two is… rare. Dangerous."
She met his gaze, her tone growing somber.
"If you can master both, you'll be one of the strongest the Lines have ever chosen."
"And if I can't?" Elias asked, already regretting the question.
Camille's eyes darkened.
"If you fail, one of them will consume you."
A chill ran down Elias's spine.
"Fantastic. I knew this medallion was a mistake," he muttered, running a hand through his hair.
Camille allowed herself a small, wry smile.
"The Lines don't give second chances. But they do offer you a choice. Learn to master them, or let them destroy you."
The First Step
After the test, Camille handed Elias a small, transparent crystal.
"This is a Focus Crystal. It'll help you stabilize your connection to the Lines," she explained.
Elias turned the crystal over in his hand, studying its faint inner glow.
"And how exactly do I do that?"
"Focus," she said simply. "Feel the Lines. Command them."
Elias closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. He recalled the sensation from earlier, that overwhelming yet intoxicating connection to the Light and Shadow within him. Slowly, the crystal began to glow, golden light intertwining with tendrils of darkness.
"It's… working," he whispered, awe creeping into his voice.
Camille nodded approvingly.
"Good. Now, attack me."
Elias's eyes shot open.
"Wait, what? Attack you?!"
Camille unsheathed her curved blade, her movements precise and practiced.
"If you don't learn to use your power under pressure, you won't survive what's coming."
Elias groaned, gripping the crystal tightly.
"Great. You're a big fan of trial by fire, huh?"
Camille's smile was razor-sharp.
"You'll thank me later. If you're still alive."
To Be Continued...