The massive shadowy creature surged forward, its form twisting and writhing as though it were alive. Elias's breath caught in his chest as he held the crystal aloft, its light flaring to meet the encroaching darkness. The creature recoiled slightly, its edges flickering like smoke in the wind, but it quickly regained its form and advanced again, more determined than before.
Behind him, Darian's voice shook with panic. "Elias, what is that thing?"
"The darkness," Elias said, his voice trembling but resolute. "The shadow that's been following me."
The Veil's leader stood at a distance, watching with arms crossed, as if this confrontation were nothing more than a test. Its featureless mask reflected the light of the crystal, giving the figure an eerie, emotionless aura.
"You cannot destroy what you do not understand," the leader said, their voice calm and unyielding. "Light is fragile, Seeker. Shadows endure."
Elias ignored the words, focusing on the creature before him. The crystal pulsed in his hand, its warmth spreading through his body, steadying his resolve. He took a step forward, the light intensifying, and the creature faltered again.
But this time, it didn't stop. Instead, it split into multiple tendrils of shadow, each one slithering around him like serpents, trying to envelop him.
"Elias!" Darian shouted. "What do we do?"
Elias gritted his teeth, gripping the crystal tighter. The light surged outward, forcing the tendrils back, but only for a moment. The creature regrouped, its form growing larger and more menacing with every failed attempt.
The leader of The Veil spoke again. "The light is a weapon, yes. But even weapons fail without understanding. What do you seek, Seeker? What is your purpose?"
Elias hesitated, the question cutting through the chaos. What was his purpose? Was it simply to carry the light, to protect it? Or was it something more?
The shadow beast lunged, and Elias instinctively threw up his hands. The crystal flared, creating a barrier of light that stopped the attack inches from his face. But the strain was immense, and he could feel his strength waning.
"Elias!" Darian's voice was closer now. "You can't do this alone!"
Elias glanced back at him, the words sinking in. He had been carrying the crystal as if it were his burden alone, but the truth he had learned—the truth he had seen in the Hall of Echoes—was that the light was not meant to be hoarded. It was meant to be shared.
"Darian," Elias said, his voice steady despite the fear in his chest. "Come here."
"What?" Darian asked, wide-eyed. "That thing will kill us both!"
"Trust me," Elias said. "Just… trust me."
Darian hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward. Elias held out the crystal, its light pulsing in his hand. "Take it."
Darian's eyes widened. "What? No, I can't—"
"You can," Elias interrupted. "The light isn't just mine. It's meant to be shared. Take it, Darian."
With shaking hands, Darian reached out and touched the crystal. The moment his fingers brushed its surface, the light expanded, enveloping both of them in a brilliant glow. The warmth spread through the air, pushing the shadow beast back as it let out a guttural roar.
The Veil's leader took a step forward, their body rigid. "No… This is not how it is meant to be."
Elias felt the crystal's power shift, its light growing stronger as it flowed between him and Darian. The beast writhed, its form breaking apart under the intensity of the glow. Elias stepped forward, the light guiding his movements, and Darian followed, their steps in unison.
The shadow creature let out one final, ear-splitting scream before it shattered into a thousand fragments, each one dissolving into nothingness. The air grew still, and the chamber fell silent.
Elias lowered the crystal, his breathing ragged. The light dimmed, returning to its steady glow, and he turned to face The Veil's leader.
"You don't understand," the leader said, their voice trembling with something that sounded like fear. "The light… it will consume you. It will burn you from within."
Elias met their gaze, his resolve unshaken. "The light isn't a weapon. It's a guide. And it's not meant to be carried alone."
The leader took a step back, their hands clenched into fists. For the first time, they seemed uncertain, as if the very foundation of their beliefs had been shaken.
"You think you've won," the leader said, their voice hardening. "But the darkness will never stop. It will always return."
Elias nodded. "Maybe. But so will the light."
The leader stared at him for a long moment before turning and disappearing into the shadows, their form dissolving like smoke.
Darian let out a shaky laugh, his hands still trembling. "Well, that was… something."
Elias smiled faintly, though his exhaustion was evident. "We're not done yet. There's more to do. More to share."
Darian nodded, his expression growing serious. "Then let's keep going."
Together, they left the tower, the crystal's light guiding their path. The desert stretched before them, vast and unforgiving, but Elias no longer felt the weight of the journey. The light was no longer his burden alone—it was theirs to share, and that made all the difference.