Shadow slave:The Forgotten Spawn

Volume 2: Shards of Unity

Chapter 42: The Buried Key

The trail led them deeper into a desolate canyon, its jagged walls pressing close around them. The air was thick with tension, every shadow and crevice a potential hiding place for more enemies. Eryth held the shard tightly, its dim glow casting just enough light to guide their steps.

Nyx padded silently ahead, its glowing eyes scanning the terrain. The armored woman followed behind, her grip firm on her sword. The group was silent, the weight of the earlier ambush lingering in their minds.

"It's close," Eryth murmured, glancing at the shard. The pull had grown stronger with every step, tugging him forward like an unseen tether.

"How can you be sure?" the woman asked, her voice sharp with suspicion.

He turned to her, his expression resolute. "I just know. Trust me."

She studied him for a moment before nodding. "Let's hope your instincts are right. I'd rather not fight another swarm of those things."

Discovery

The canyon opened into a wide, circular clearing. At its center stood a massive, ancient structure, half-buried in the earth. Its surface was covered in intricate carvings that seemed to shift and shimmer in the faint light.

Eryth stepped forward, his heart pounding. The shard's pull was almost overwhelming now, its faint glow pulsing in rhythm with his racing pulse.

"This is it," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

The woman approached cautiously, her eyes narrowing as she studied the structure. "What is it? A temple? A tomb?"

"Both, maybe," Eryth replied, running his fingers over the carvings. They felt warm to the touch, as though the structure itself was alive.

Nyx growled softly, its gaze fixed on the entrance—a dark, gaping doorway that seemed to beckon them forward.

"We're going in, aren't we?" the woman asked, already knowing the answer.

Eryth nodded, gripping the shard tightly. "We have to. Whatever's in there, it's connected to this. Maybe even to the rift."

Descent

The inside of the structure was cold and dark, the air heavy with the scent of earth and decay. The walls were lined with more carvings, their shifting patterns creating an eerie, hypnotic effect.

As they descended deeper, the shard began to glow brighter, illuminating the path ahead. The faint hum of energy filled the air, growing louder with every step.

"This place feels… wrong," the woman said, her voice low.

Eryth glanced at her. "It's ancient, older than anything I've ever seen. Whatever built this… it wasn't human."

They reached a massive chamber at the heart of the structure. At its center was a pedestal, and resting atop it was a second shard, its glow bright and pulsating.

Eryth's breath caught. "Another shard…"

But as he stepped forward, the ground trembled. The carvings on the walls lit up, and the hum of energy grew deafening.

The Guardian Awakens

From the shadows, a massive figure emerged. It was unlike anything they'd faced before—a towering, skeletal creature clad in broken armor, its hollow eyes glowing with a malevolent light. It carried a massive blade, its edge jagged and stained with rust.

"Another guardian," the woman hissed, drawing her sword.

Eryth stepped back, clutching the shard. "We can't keep fighting these things forever!"

Nyx growled, positioning itself between Eryth and the creature. Its fur bristled, and a faint, silvery glow began to emanate from its body.

The creature lunged, its blade crashing into the ground where Eryth had stood moments before. The impact sent shockwaves through the chamber, knocking him off his feet.

"Focus on the joints, like before!" the woman shouted, charging at the creature.

Eryth scrambled to his feet, his mind racing. The shard's power was still weak, but he had no choice. He raised it, channeling as much energy as he could. A beam of light shot out, striking the creature's shoulder.

It roared in pain, swinging its blade wildly. The woman dodged, her sword finding purchase in the creature's knee. Nyx leapt onto its back, its claws digging into the exposed bone.

The creature staggered, its movements slowing. Eryth seized the opportunity, focusing all his energy into the shard.

"Now!" he shouted.

The woman drove her blade into the creature's chest, and Nyx delivered a final, powerful strike to its head. With a deafening roar, the guardian collapsed, its body disintegrating into ash.

The Second Shard

Eryth approached the pedestal, his legs trembling. The second shard pulsed with light, its energy filling the chamber with a warm glow.

He hesitated, then reached out and picked it up. The moment his fingers touched it, a surge of energy shot through him, and his mind was flooded with visions—fragments of a broken world, a great battle, and a dark force rising.

He staggered back, clutching his head.

"Eryth!" the woman said, catching him before he fell.

"I'm fine," he muttered, shaking off the visions. "This shard… it's more powerful than the first. It's connected to something bigger."

The woman frowned. "Bigger than the rift?"

Eryth nodded, his expression grim. "Much bigger."

Nyx growled softly, its glowing eyes fixed on him. For a brief moment, Eryth thought he saw something in its gaze—a flicker of understanding, almost human.

The path ahead was becoming clearer, but so was the danger. Whatever they were heading toward, it was far more dangerous than they'd imagined.

To Be Continued…