Jacob surveyed his surroundings in perplexity, musing over the source of the ethereal voice that seemed to toy with his consciousness. The voice resonated within him once again, inquiring, "Cave or Temple?" Anxiety crept into Jacob's mind as he speculated whether the enchanted waters he had encountered possessed unintended consequences, leading him to question his own grip on reality. After a moment of deep reflection, the voice thundered again, more insistent this time, prompting a hasty response. Believing the voice was attempting to determine his location, he exhaled a desperate, "Cave!" An agonizing stillness followed, and just as Jacob anticipated a fleeting sense of relief, the voice reverberated within his mind anew, infused with an age-old gravitas, "You have chosen Cave, the strands of fate now ensnare you."
Jacob felt an unsettling sensation as his body was lifted into the air, an overwhelming panic surging through him as his breathing intensified. Confusion enveloped him, refusing to accept the prospect of dying just yet. His limbs appeared to stretch beyond their natural limits, and his vision shimmered and swayed. In an instant, Jacob found himself in yet another shadowy cavern, the impeccably smooth obsidian walls, floor, and ceiling creating an imposing enclosure. As the urge to retch intensified, he paused to regain his composure. A dimly lit pathway beckoned him forward, framed by a featureless black wall behind, leaving him with no option but to advance.
Jacob embarked on his expedition once more, pondering how much farther he would need to traverse this time. His outlook had considerably improved, as he was now in optimal physical shape and free from all his former injuries. Another five minutes of walking and Jacob spotted another flicker of light in the distance. Quickening his pace to a light jog, he felt an overwhelming urge to discover an exit and return to the comfort of home. He longed for his mother and father, fearing that the disastrous storm would have caused them considerable distress over his absence.
Jacob reached the luminous entrance leading to yet another cavern. Stepping inside, he beheld intricate paintings adorning the walls portraying an elderly figure with snow-white hair, slanted eyes, and a prominent scar across his brow, clad in somber attire. This elder stood like a towering figure amidst a sea of humanity, with a backdrop resembling cascades of crimson waves and a scene hinting at apocalyptic chaos. Strangely, the elderly man appeared to be the central figure and the origin of the tumultuous imagery.
As Jacob gazed upon the paintings adorning the walls one by one, a commanding voice echoed in his mind once more. "Despicable being, how dare you trespass upon the heritage ground of the Scarlet Sovereign," the voice resounded within his consciousness.
Jacob bounded with his back pressed against the wall, scanning the room with watchful eyes. Still, the chamber remained unchanged, as pristine as when he first entered. The voice echoed in his thoughts once again, "Should you withstand the trial established by the late Scarlet Sovereign, the treasure and the mysteries of this ancestral domain shall be yours." said the voice in an exasperated and tired voice. "Who are you?" Jacob queried. "I am merely a phantasmal remnant, a specter left by the Sovereign to select an heir and guard his wealth from those deemed unworthy. My identity bears little significance; however, should you prevail in the trial, I shall entertain any three questions you seek to pose," the voice replied.
Jacob surveyed his surroundings, pondering the impending trial that awaited him. Suddenly, the entrance he had passed through disappeared once more, leaving him suspended in mid-air, helplessly drifting towards the center of the chamber. Upon reaching the central point, he found himself immobilized, levitating above an enigmatic altar that had seemingly materialized out of thin air. Jacob was rendered completely motionless, unable to shift his position or break free from the invisible force holding him in place.
A petite, luminescent crimson orb materialized from the heart of the altar and levitated before Jacob. The voice reverberated within his mind once again, exuding a regal authority that enveloped Jacob in a palpable pressure. "Your physical form will either absorb this orb of concentrated scarlet essence, or you shall be consumed in the process. Your existence from this moment forward will depend on your capacity to absorb this orb." Frantic and overwhelmed with anxiety, Jacob found himself unable to articulate a single word beneath the oppressive weight that bore down on him.