The creature lunged, its stone-like skin glinting in the eerie light. Aric barely dodged its massive fist, feeling the rush of air as it slammed into the ground where he'd stood a moment before. Kael responded with a roar of his own, his crimson flames licking up his arms as he launched himself at the beast.
Aric scrambled to his feet, his eyes darting around for anything he could use as a weapon. His gaze fell on a jagged shard of stone, glowing faintly with the same pulsing light that lined the cavern walls. He grabbed it, feeling an unexpected warmth seep into his skin. The shard vibrated in his grip, humming in tune with the veins of light.
Kael's fists met the creature's chest, sending ripples through its rocky hide, but the beast barely flinched. It swung a massive arm, catching Kael in the side and sending him sprawling across the cavern floor. Aric didn't hesitate. He charged, the shard raised high. As he plunged it into the creature's back, a blinding light exploded from the point of contact. The beast let out a deafening roar, its form shuddering violently before collapsing in a heap of stone and light.
Panting, Aric stumbled back, the shard still glowing in his hand. Kael groaned as he pushed himself up, his eyes flickering from the fallen creature to Aric's makeshift weapon.
"What… was that?" Kael muttered, wincing as he clutched his side.
"I don't know," Aric replied, staring at the shard. "But it worked."
Kael snorted, shaking his head. "Lucky strike."
Aric didn't argue. He knew better than to believe in luck. There was something more at play here, something ancient and powerful. And whatever it was, it had just saved their lives.
They moved cautiously past the creature's remains, deeper into the cavern. The pulsing light grew stronger, the whispers louder. Aric could almost make out words now, fragments of sentences that seemed to speak directly to him.