The narrow valleys seemed endless, their jagged cliffs rising like ancient sentinels on either side of the group. The mist hung heavy, curling around their legs as they advanced, muffling their footsteps and blurring the edges of the path ahead. Kael led with the Crown's hum as his guide, its energy faint yet persistent, a compass in the labyrinthine terrain.
"How much farther until we're out of these valleys?" Mareth asked, her voice low and strained.
Seryn glanced at her map, its parchment glowing faintly with runic markings. "Another mile, maybe two. But distance isn't our biggest problem. The Watchers will have reported back by now."
Lira adjusted her daggers, her eyes scanning the cliffs. "Which means it's only a matter of time before reinforcements arrive."
Kael didn't respond, his focus on the path ahead. The trial's lingering warning gnawed at him: Unity is your strength, but even the strongest bonds can fracture. He pushed the thought aside and pressed forward, his grip tightening on his staff.
The group emerged into a wider clearing, where the cliffs opened slightly to reveal a crescent-shaped hollow. At its center stood a towering obelisk, its dark surface veined with faintly glowing red lines that pulsed like a heartbeat. The air around it crackled with energy, a tangible aura of foreboding.
"This wasn't on the map," Seryn said, her tone sharp as she studied the structure.
"Do we go around it?" Mareth asked, eyeing the obelisk warily.
"No," Kael said, stepping forward. The Crown's hum grew louder, its energy aligning with the obelisk's pulse. "It's connected to the Veil. We need to investigate."
Lira sighed. "Of course we do."
As they approached, the obelisk's energy intensified, the red veins flaring brighter. A low vibration rumbled through the ground, and the air grew thick with an oppressive weight. Kael reached out, his hand hovering above the surface of the obelisk. The Crown's energy surged, resonating with the structure.
"It's a conduit," Kael said, his voice tinged with awe. "The Veil's power flows through it."
Before anyone could respond, the air around the obelisk shimmered, and shadowy figures began to emerge. They took on humanoid forms, their features indistinct, as if they were made of smoke and darkness. Their eyes glowed with an unnatural red light.
"This is bad," Mareth said, drawing her sword. "Really bad."
"Defensive positions," Seryn commanded, her blades at the ready. "Kael, figure out how to shut this thing down."
Kael nodded, his mind racing. He placed both hands on the obelisk, the Crown's energy flooding into him. The hum became a roar as the connection deepened, and visions began to flash before his eyes—fractured images of the Veil, ancient runes, and a vast, swirling storm of light and shadow.
The shadowy figures advanced, their movements unnaturally fluid. Lira darted forward, her daggers flashing as she struck at the nearest one. Her blades passed through it, and the figure dissipated briefly before reforming.
"They're not solid!" Lira called, leaping back.
"Then we make them solid," Mareth said, slamming her sword into the ground. A shockwave of energy rippled outward, briefly destabilizing the figures.
Seryn's strikes were precise, targeting the glowing cores within the figures' chests. "Aim for the light!" she shouted. "That's their anchor."
Kael's connection to the obelisk deepened, and the visions coalesced into a single message: Break the flow. He understood immediately. The obelisk was channeling energy from the Veil, creating a rift that allowed the shadows to manifest.
"I need more time!" Kael shouted, his voice strained.
"We'll buy you as much as we can," Mareth said, stepping in front of him.
The battle intensified, the shadowy figures growing more aggressive as the obelisk's energy surged. Kael focused, channeling the Crown's power into the runes etched across the obelisk's surface. The red veins began to dim, but the resistance was immense, the energy pushing back against him.
"Come on," Kael muttered, sweat streaming down his face. "Break already!"
With a final surge of power, the obelisk's glow shattered, and the structure began to crumble. The shadowy figures let out a collective wail before dissolving into mist. The oppressive weight in the air lifted, replaced by an eerie silence.
Kael staggered back, catching himself on his staff. The Crown's hum faded to a faint whisper, its energy spent.
"Is it over?" Lira asked, breathing heavily.
Seryn's gaze lingered on the remnants of the obelisk. "For now. But whatever that was, it's only the beginning."
Kael looked at the shattered obelisk, his chest tight with unease. The Veil's power was growing more unstable, and the trials ahead would only become more dangerous. He took a deep breath and turned to his companions.
"Let's move," he said. "We don't have time to waste."