Chapter 223: The Final Descent

Talen stood at the edge of the chamber, his gaze fixed on the pulsing core of the Heart. The massive sphere of light hovered above the ground, dark veins of corruption wrapped around it like iron chains. The air was thick with energy, every breath vibrating with raw power.

"This is it," Solen said, his bow drawn and glowing with golden light. "The source of the imbalance."

Erynn spun her daggers between her fingers. "Let's rip those chains apart and call it a day."

Talen's eyes darkened. "It's not that simple."

From the darkness around the core, shadowy figures emerged—tall, twisted shapes with glowing red eyes and jagged limbs. Their hollow mouths opened in silent screams as they floated toward the group.

"The Heart's defenses," Talen said, stepping forward. "They'll fight to protect the corruption."

Solen sighed. "Of course they will."

Erynn grinned. "At least it won't be boring."

The Assault

The first wave of shadows lunged toward them. Erynn darted forward, her daggers flashing as she carved through the figures with swift precision. The shadows screamed silently and disintegrated into black mist.

Solen fired a barrage of arrows, each glowing with golden light. The arrows exploded upon impact, blasting through the figures and scattering them.

Talen extended the relic. A wave of light surged from the staff, creating a barrier that pushed the shadows back.

But the corruption fought back. Dark tendrils lashed out from the core, striking the ground and sending jagged cracks racing across the floor.

"This place is falling apart!" Solen shouted, firing more arrows.

Erynn flipped over one of the tendrils, slicing through it midair. "No kidding!"

Talen gritted his teeth. His mind was connected to the Heart, and he could feel the war raging inside it—the light struggling against the darkness. He could feel the weight of the corruption pressing down, like a hand trying to crush his spirit.

Talen...

A voice echoed in his mind—cold and familiar.

You cannot save it.

Talen's eyes sharpened. "We'll see about that."

He raised the relic. Light surged through the chamber, forcing the shadows back.

The core pulsed violently. The dark veins tightened, and more tendrils lashed out.

From the far end of the chamber, a colossal figure emerged from the darkness. It was humanoid, but its form was twisted and jagged. Its hollow eyes glowed crimson, and dark energy radiated from its body.

"Oh, come on," Erynn groaned.

The figure raised its massive arm, black flames curling around its hand.

Solen's eyes widened. "Talen—"

The creature hurled the black fire at them.

Talen extended the relic. "Shield!"

A barrier of light formed in front of them just before the dark flames hit. The impact sent shockwaves through the chamber, but the barrier held.

Talen staggered. His grip on the relic tightened. "It's... drawing power from the core."

"Then let's cut off the source!" Solen shouted.

"I'll cover you," Erynn said, flipping her daggers.

Breaking the Chains

Talen focused on the dark veins coiled around the core. He could feel the corruption's grip tightening with every pulse of the Heart.

"We need to sever the connection!" he shouted.

Solen nodded, firing an arrow toward one of the veins. The arrow struck true, exploding on impact. The vein pulsed, but didn't break.

"We need more firepower!" Solen yelled.

Erynn darted toward the core, flipping over the tendrils. She slashed at one of the veins with her daggers. Black energy splintered from the strike, but the vein remained intact.

Talen's gaze darkened. "Fine."

He stepped forward, raising the relic. The light around it intensified, blindingly bright.

"Lux Infernum!"

A beam of pure light shot from the relic, striking the core. The dark veins screamed, splintering under the force.

The colossal figure roared, stepping toward them. It raised its arm again, black fire swirling around its hand.

"Talen!" Erynn shouted.

Talen focused his energy. The relic burned in his hands. "Not this time."

He redirected the beam of light toward the figure. The creature screamed as the light burned through its body, dissolving the shadows.

"Now!" Talen shouted.

Solen fired another arrow, this one crackling with golden energy. It struck the weakened vein and exploded. The vein shattered, and the core pulsed with renewed light.

"One down," Erynn said, panting.

"Two to go," Solen muttered.

The Reckoning

The remaining veins tightened, and the core's light dimmed. More shadow creatures emerged from the walls, their crimson eyes glowing.

"We're running out of time," Talen said.

Erynn wiped sweat from her brow. "Then we'll have to work faster."

Talen turned to Solen. "I need you to distract the creatures."

Solen grinned. "On it."

He fired a barrage of arrows into the mass of shadows, drawing their attention. The creatures hissed and lunged toward him.

Erynn and Talen darted toward the second vein.

"I'll cut it; you cover me!" Erynn shouted.

Talen nodded. He raised the relic, sending a wave of light toward the vein. The shadows recoiled.

Erynn leaped onto the vein, stabbing her daggers into it. Black energy burst from the wound.

The core screamed.

Erynn flipped off the vein just as Solen fired another arrow. It struck the vein's weakened point, shattering it.

The core pulsed violently.

"One left!" Solen shouted.

The Last Chain

The final vein pulsed with dark energy, its surface flickering with unstable power. The colossal figure rose again, its body reforming from shadow.

Talen's eyes narrowed. "We need to hit it at the same time."

Erynn nodded. "Let's finish this."

Solen aimed his bow. "Ready."

Talen raised the relic. "Now!"

Erynn and Solen attacked simultaneously. Erynn's daggers flashed through the air, and Solen's arrow flew straight toward the vein.

Talen channeled the last of his strength into the relic. Light erupted from it, striking the vein directly.

The core screamed as the vein shattered.

The chamber shook violently. The colossal figure dissolved into black mist.

The corruption peeled away from the core, and light flooded the room.

Talen fell to his knees, breathing heavily.

Solen collapsed next to him. "Please tell me that's it."

Erynn leaned against the wall. "Yeah... I think we're done."

The core's light pulsed softly. The room began to stabilize.

Talen smiled faintly. "We did it."

Erynn sat beside him, her head resting on his shoulder. "Of course we did."

Solen stretched out on the floor. "Next time, we're taking an easier job."

Talen laughed softly. "Next time."

The core's light pulsed one final time, steady and calm. The balance had been restored.