Chapter XXXIV

The sunlight filtered through the shattered windows of the ancient castle, casting eerie shadows on the crumbling walls. The air was thick with the scent of decay and the whispers of long-forgotten secrets. Eli stepped cautiously into the ruined room, his heart pounding in his chest. The room was vast, with remnants of grand tapestries hanging in tatters and broken furniture scattered across the floor.

In the center of the room, a figure stood shrouded in darkness. The enigmatic and feared guardian of the castle's secrets, awaited Eli's arrival. His eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and a sinister smile played on his lips.

"You can't be real."

Eli couldn't believe his eyes. The figure in front of him, is a monster, who ruled the darkness, had been confined in a dimension long centuries ago. Yet here he was, standing before Eli. The only reason the spell had broken was because of... Oxyvi. She had entered the premises and inadvertently breaking the ancient spell. 

"Eli," The ruler, the King of the darkness's voice echoed through the room, sending chills down Eli's spine. "You have come far, but do you truly believe you can uncover the truth?"

Eli clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. "I will not be deterred. The truth must be revealed, no matter the cost."

His laughter filled the room, a haunting sound that seemed to reverberate through the very stones of the castle. "Very well, then. But be warned, the truth you seek may be more than you can bear." With a wave of his hand, he summoned a swirling vortex of shadows that enveloped the room. The temperature dropped, and Eli could see his breath in the cold air. He felt a presence behind him and turned to see ghostly figures emerging from the walls, their eyes hollow and filled with sorrow.

Eli took a deep breath, steeling himself against the fear that threatened to overwhelm him. He knew that the only way to defeat this monster of a man and uncover the castle's secrets was to face his own inner demons. As the ghostly figures closed in, Eli reached for the ancient amulet hanging around his neck, a relic passed down through generations of the royal family.

The amulet began to glow with a brilliant light, pushing back the darkness and the ghostly apparitions. King of Darkness smile faltered, and for the first time, Eli saw a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.

"You underestimate the power of light." Eli said, his voice steady and resolute. "And the strength of those who seek the truth."

With a final surge of energy, Eli unleashed the full power of the amulet, banishing the shadows and dispelling the ghostly figures.

The monster figure of a man let out a roar of anger and frustration. Instead of retreating, he lunged at Eli, his eyes burning with fury. Eli barely had time to react as his's hand shot out, striking him with a force that sent him crashing into the wall.

"You think you can defeat me? You unfaithful servant." He hissed, his voice dripping with malice. "Tell your prince, Alec, that this time, I will win. And this is the truth you are seeking."

Eli struggled to his feet, pain coursing through his body. He knew he had to warn Alec, but first, he had to survive this encounter. Summoning every ounce of strength, he raised the amulet once more, its light flaring brightly and forcing him to take a step back.

"This isn't over." Eli said through gritted teeth. "You will never get what you want. We will send you back into the darkness from where you came. You deserve it because you are a monster, and you still are."

His sinister eyes narrowed, and his voice took on a chilling tone. "You think you can stop me, Eli? I have finally found what I needed. Warn your prince and the royal family that their time is running out. The darkness will consume them all, and I will be the one to bring it upon them."

The master of the shadow his laughter echoed through the room as he vanished into the shadows, leaving Eli a lone in the now silent room. He knew that this was only the beginning, but he had taken the first step towards uncovering the ancient secrets hidden within the castle's walls and protecting his prince from the looming threat. 

Eli knew he had to act quickly to warn Prince Alec about the return.

Eli stumbled out of the ancient castle, his body aching from the confrontation with the castle's curse. The light guided his path as he made his way through the dense forest surrounding the castle. He knew he had to reach the royal palace before it was too late.

As he approached the palace gates, the guards recognized him and let him in without hesitation. Eli's reputation as a loyal protector of the kingdom preceded him. He hurried through the grand halls, his mind racing with thoughts of the impending danger.

Finally, he reached Prince Alec's chambers. Bursting through the doors, he found Alec sitting by the fireplace, deep in thought. The prince looked up, surprised to see Eli in such a state.

"Eli, what happened?" Alec asked, concern etched on his face.

Eli took a deep breath, trying to steady his voice. He was shaking badly, his condition concerning as he approached his highness in hurry. The atmosphere took a chilly turn, when he made him known about the threat. "Your Highness, He has returned."