Kael and Mareth stood before the towering obsidian gates, their surfaces rippling faintly like liquid shadows. Faint, crimson runes pulsed along the edges, casting an eerie light that danced across their battered forms. Blood trickled from cuts and bruises on their arms and faces, and their armor bore fresh cracks and scorch marks from the battles below.
"This place," Mareth muttered, gripping his blade tightly, "it's starting to feel more alive the deeper we go. I don't like it."
Kael's black hair was matted to his face with sweat and blood. He wiped his brow and surveyed their path. . The closer we get to the core, the worse it'll become. We can't falter now."
Mareth chuckled, though it was humorless. "Easy for you to say. I'm pretty sure I'm one bad step away from passing out."
Kael reached into his pouch and pulled out the last healing vial. The liquid inside shimmered faintly, its glow weaker than it had been at the start of their journey. He handed it to Mareth without a word.
Mareth hesitated before taking it. "What about you?"
"I'll manage," Kael said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Mareth downed the vial, grimacing at the bitter taste. He felt a faint warmth spread through his body as some of his wounds began to close, though the deeper ones remained. "Not exactly a feast, but it'll do."
The corridor ahead was different from the others they had encountered. The walls were jagged and uneven, the floor slick with a strange black ichor that seemed to pulse faintly. The air was heavy, each breath a labor.
"Stay close," Kael said, his voice low.
Mareth nodded, his grip on the dark blade tightening.
They moved cautiously, their footsteps muffled by the strange, organic texture of the floor. The walls seemed to hum faintly, and the ichor occasionally rippled as if disturbed by an unseen force.
After what felt like an eternity, the corridor opened into a vast chamber. At its center stood a towering figure, humanoid in shape but grotesquely distorted. Its skin was a patchwork of blackened flesh and jagged bone, and its eyes burned with an unnatural red light. In one hand, it held a massive, serrated blade, and in the other, a spiked shield that seemed to absorb the faint light around it.
Kael's jaw tightened. "Rank 2, Tier I. This one's no mindless beast."
Mareth let out a low whistle. "Great. Just what we needed a sword-wielding nightmare."
The figure turned its burning gaze toward them, and a guttural voice echoed through the chamber.
Kael didn't respond. Instead, he raised the sword, its blade glowing faintly as he channeled the remnants of his mana into it.
Mareth stepped forward, his sword held at the ready. "Guess we're not much for conversation, huh?"
The figure let out a roar, its voice shaking the very ground. It charged, moving with terrifying speed despite its massive size.
Kael dodged to the left, narrowly avoiding the serrated blade as it cleaved through the air. Mareth swung his sword at the figure's flank, but the spiked shield intercepted the blow with a resounding clang.
"Damn it!" Mareth grunted, stumbling back.
The figure retaliated, swinging its blade in a wide arc. Kael ducked under it and slashed at its exposed leg. sword bit deep, but the creature barely flinched.
"This thing's tougher than it looks!" Kael shouted, retreating as the figure's shield slammed into the ground, sending shockwaves through the chamber.
Mareth circled around, looking for an opening. "You think?!"
The figure turned its focus to Mareth, its blade descending with lethal precision. Mareth blocked with his sword, the force of the impact sending him to one knee. His arms trembled under the strain.
Kael seized the moment, darting forward and slamming the sword into the creature's exposed side. A burst of energy erupted from the blade, forcing the figure to stagger.
Mareth pushed himself up, blood trickling from his mouth. "That's it, Kael! Keep it off balance!"
The figure roared in fury, slamming its shield into the ground once more. This time, jagged spikes erupted from the floor, forcing Kael and Mareth to scatter.
Kael gritted his teeth, his mind racing. They couldn't afford a prolonged fight. Their mana was dwindling, and the creature's strength showed no sign of waning.
"Mareth!" Kael shouted. "We need to hit it together!"
Mareth nodded, his black eyes glinting with determination. "On your mark!"
Kael channeled the last of his mana into sword. The blade shimmered with an intense glow, and the air around it seemed to ripple with raw power. "Now!"
Mareth charged forward, his new sword crackling with energy as he poured everything he had into a desperate strike.
The figure raised its shield, but Mareth's blade slammed into it with such force that the shield cracked, a surge of energy exploding outward. The impact left the figure exposed, its balance faltering.
Kael didn't hesitate. He dashed forward, his body a blur as sword arced through the air. The blade struck the creature's chest, the energy within it detonating in a brilliant flash.
The figure let out an ear-splitting scream as the light consumed it, its grotesque form disintegrating into ash.
When the light faded, the chamber was silent. Kael and Mareth stood panting, their bodies battered and bloodied.
Mareth leaned on his sword, his legs barely holding him up. "I swear... I'm retiring after this."
Kael allowed himself a faint smile, though his exhaustion was evident. "We'll see."
In the center of the chamber, where the figure had fallen, a strange, pulsating orb remained. Its energy was unlike anything they had encountered before dark and ominous, yet oddly inviting.
Kael stepped forward, his gaze locked on the orb. "This must be it... the heart of the Laberath."
Mareth sheathed his sword, his expression wary. "You're not seriously thinking about touching that thing, are you?"
Kael didn't answer. He extended his hand, the orb's energy pulling at him like a tide.
As his fingers brushed the surface, a surge of power coursed through him, overwhelming and consuming. The chamber trembled, and a deep, menacing voice echoed in his mind.
"You've come far, mortal. But this is only the beginning."
The floor beneath them cracked, and the world seemed to shift and warp. Mareth grabbed Kael, his voice panicked. "Kael! What's happening?!"
Kael gritted his teeth, fighting against the surge of energy. "I don't know! Hold on!"
The ground gave way, and they were swallowed.