Chapter 108: The Secrets Behind the Door
Chapter 108: The Secrets Behind the Door
The air in Vellion was thick with a mixture of tension and hope. Word of Natasha's team's discovery spread quickly, reinvigorating the weary coalition. Blacksmiths worked tirelessly to replicate the prototype blade, while scholars poured over the ruins' symbols and texts brought back by the expedition.
Natasha stood at the war council table, tracing her finger along a map of the southeast jungle. "That door in the ruins is connected to the shadows. I'm sure of it," she said.
Alison, seated beside her, added, "But we don't know what's behind it. If we're not prepared, it could be a trap—or worse, something we can't handle."
Dren crossed his arms. "Then what's the plan? We can't just sit here and wait for them to attack again."
Ira, holding a scroll covered in ancient runes, spoke up. "The markings on the door suggest it's not just a seal—it's a conduit. If we can unlock it, we might gain access to whatever power was used to fight the shadows in the past."
"That's a big 'if,'" Dren muttered.
Natasha straightened. "We don't have a choice. We need to go back. But this time, we'll bring a larger team, equipped with the new weapons. If the shadows attack, we'll be ready."
The council nodded in agreement. Preparations began immediately, with every able-bodied fighter volunteering to join the mission.
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The Expedition Returns
Two days later, Natasha, Alison, and a team of thirty warriors stood before the ancient ruin once more. The jungle seemed even darker and more oppressive than before, as if the shadows themselves were watching.
The gigantic door revealed itself in front of us with its runes emitting faint illumination through the dimness. With a tablet containing translation of the symbols Ira moved forward. "These symbols describe a ritual," she said. The ritual demands both energy from light sources and strength from one of the participants. A person needs to expend their life energy through the door in order to unlock it.
The group exchanged uneasy glances.
Natasha spoke with determination as she declared her willingness to perform the task.
Alison's head snapped toward her. "No. Absolutely not."
Natasha spoke with determination when she said "You can't stop me." I refuse to allow others to face this opportunity first because this represents our strongest path to resist and I will protect it.
Alison moved toward him while speaking in a quiet tone. "We need you, Natasha. The coalition depends on your leadership to function. If something happens to you—"
"Nothing will happen," she interrupted. "I trust you to lead if it comes to that."
Ira stopped Alison from continuing the argument. According to her the ritual procedure will not result in fatal consequences. "But it will drain you. You'll need time to recover."
Natasha nodded. Time needs to be put to better use because of the situation.
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The Ritual Begins
Everyone in the team stood guard while protecting Ira and Natasha during their ritual performance. During the ceremony Ira sang in an ancient tongue which maintained a regular and methodical rhythm. Through the ritual Natasha touched the door while electricity rushed through her body.
The door runes reached peak illumination while following the beat of Ira's voice during the chanting. The intense tiredness swept through Natasha but she maintained her position.
A sudden explosive chaos burst through the jungle. The darkness birthed shadowy figures whose distorted bodies advanced against the group.
"Hold the line!" His newly crafted weapon sounded from the grip of Alison as she shouted.
The warriors engaged the shadows using their weapons infused with brilliant light energy. The prototype blades functioned well as they sliced through the monsters with no problem. The shadows pursued them without rest as their population appeared without end.
He fought intensely with deadly accuracy through his movements. One of his eyes stayed fixed on Natasha while she fought to stay standing against her weakening state.
"Hurry, Ira!" he called out.
"I'm almost there!" Ira replied, her voice strained.
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The Door Opens
The door started its shift through a final powerful light emission. The stone blocks began to separate after the runes disappeared as they revealed a glowing chamber.
The heavy breathing took over Natasha as she sank down onto her knees. Instantly Alison rushed to assist her friend until she stood back on her feet.
"You did it," he said, his voice filled with both relief and admiration.
The chamber contained a massive crystalline structure whose light-emitting surface glowed before them. Numerous carvings showed warriors holding light-emitting weapons while fighting against dark enemies all around the crystalline structure.
Ira managed to pronounce two words while standing in awe of the discovery she had always wanted to find. "The Heart of Light."
The unsteadiness of her legs did not stop Natasha from moving forward. "How do we use it?"
Ira reviewed the ancient symbols while studying the carvings. Whatever it possesses serves as a powerful light energy source. The power of the Heart of Light can produce weapons which could forever obliterate the shadows.
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A Warning and a Choice
The team members heard a spectral voice while inspecting the chamber with its unnerving sounds.
"You dare to disturb the balance?" it said.
Darkness within the jungle made way for a figure to appear from the night. The figure resembled the description from the survivor because it wrapped itself in shadow while its eyes glowed like burning embers.
"The figure spoke with an evil tone when it stated "You think you've found salvation." The power which you might obtain demands a heavy price. Are you willing to pay it?"
Natasha approached while keeping her hand on her sword's hilt. We will take any necessary measure to destroy you.
A dark laugh emerged from the figure while it spread its haunting voice across the chamber. "Then prepare yourselves. You have merely started the most destructive phase that will follow.
The figure disappeared without warning as the team members remained in a disturbing state of silence.
Natasha turned to Ira. The team needs to understand how long it will require to control the Heart's energy source.
Ira spoke hesitantly as she shared her words through trembling voice. "The Heart is alive. The energy source will put us through trials before granting access to its power.
Alison reached to comfort Natasha with her hand on the woman's shoulder. No matter what trial arises we will confront it as a united group.
Natasha nodded, her resolve unwavering. "Then let's get started. Time is our enemy so we cannot delay our actions.
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The chamber glowed with the soft pulsations of the Heart of Light which created a warm atmosphere of hope. A dark figure secretly assembled its powers in the darkness beyond the jungle while preparing for one last battle. The outcome of the coalition remained uncertain as the war was still not finished.