Chapter 15: Truth's Veil

There was an eerie quiet in the cavern. Although the stifling atmosphere of darkness and danger had subsided, it had left behind a void that made Kael feel really cold. The Heartstone blade's dim gleam hardly broke through the surrounding darkness as his hold on it tightened. Standing close by, Sienna kept her breathing calm while keeping her daggers out and watching for any movement. The last thing the creature said, "I am the shadow that haunts your light," stuck in Kael's mind. I'll witness your fall, too. Sienna murmured, "Kael," in a low, cautious voice. "We must relocate." I don't think that thing is done with us, but it might be gone for the time being. Slowly, he nodded, his eyes resting on the area where the dark "I understand. Whatever it was, though, it has some knowledge of the Heartstone. Something I don't do. Sienna scowled. "You believe it was being truthful? What is the Heartstone? Corrupted? Kael paused, his mind whirling. In his hand, the blade continued to pulse faintly, but the energy felt different, less steady, as if it were keeping something back. His face was gloomy as he gazed at Sienna. "I'm at a loss for what to think." She stated forcefully, "Then let's concentrate on what we do know." Our mission is to locate and eliminate the Vessel of Shadows. We can't allow that creature to prevail, even though it was most likely attempting to frighten us away.

Kael nodded, but his chest still felt uneasy. Together, they pushed deeper into the Shadowspire Caverns while he inhaled deeply and tried to ignore his worries. --- The route ahead became more constrained as the cavern's walls closed in on them. The weak light now made every breath visible, and the air was cooler. They had to tread carefully to prevent slipping on the sharp rocks because the ground beneath their feet was uneven. The murmurs came back, soft at first, but louder with every stride. "Kael..." The voice sounded different this time. It wasn't the ominous, derisive tone of the eerie figure. It was more gentle, almost like old time.

"Hear that?" With a glance at Sienna, Kael asked. She shook her head. "Hear what?" Kael stopped as the murmurs became clearer. "Kael... Come nearer. I am in need of you. He staggered as the voice pulled at something within of him. He couldn't deny the draw, which was more than simply a voice. "Kael!" Firmly, Sienna took hold of his arm. "What is the matter?" He blinked, noticing that he was no longer moving. "It's… nothing," he answered hastily, but his voice betrayed his uneasiness. The eyes of Sienna narrowed. "You should tell me if you hear anything. We cannot afford to be caught off guard since we are in enemy territory.After hesitating, Kael nodded and said, "It's a voice." "But it's not like before. It doesn't feel… threatening." "That doesn't mean it isn't dangerous," Sienna said, but Kael wanted to agree, but the voice persisted, its pull getting stronger with each step. --- After what seemed like hours of walking, they arrived at a huge chamber, with a stone pedestal at the center, and an obsidian orb on top of it, swirling with black and crimson energy. "The Vessel of Shadows," Sienna breathed, her voice tinged with awe and dread.

With caution, Kael moved closer, the Heartstone sword shining dimly in his palm. The air around the ball shimmered as its energy radiated out in waves, as if it were humming with power. Sienna stayed a few paces behind him and cautioned, "Be careful." With the sword in his grasp responding to the orb's presence, Kael carefully extended his hand. The green light became brighter, contrasting with the Vessel's red energy. There was a loud hum in the room as light and shadow crackled between them. Kael approached, and the murmurs came back, louder and more forceful. "Kael... Avoid listening to them. Grab it. The authority is yours.

With the voice echoing deep inside him, he froze. "Kael!" He snapped out of his reverie with a cry from Sienna. Destroy it! Now! He lifted the Heartstone blade, ready to strike, the green glow flickering. A dazzling burst of energy from the orb, however, threw him back before he could bring it down. Kael struck the floor forcefully, losing control of the blade. The energy from the sphere gathered into a towering shape, one that was all too familiar, but he moaned, fighting to stand.

Over them loomed the shadowy creature from before, its eyes blazing with crimson fire, its form more substantial now. Really, you believed you could ruin me? With disdain in its voice, it spoke. Sienna took a step forward, her daggers out. "You do not frighten us." The sound of the figure's laughter reverberated across the room like a funeral knell. You ought to be. What you're dealing with is beyond your comprehension. Leaping to his feet, Kael grasped the Heartstone blade. Its light flickered like a fading flame, weaker now. "Why are you acting in this way?" With a trembling voice, Kael demanded. "What is it that you desire?"

He caught the figure's blazing glare. "You're still not sure, are you? It's not the Heartstone on your side. It was never. It is a prison, undoubtedly, but it is also a piece of the earth's strength. Something much darker and much older than you can fathom, in a cage. The blood in Kael ran cold. "What do you mean by that?" With a dark, menacing aura, the figure moved closer. "You are not authorized to use the Heartstone's power. It's a part of the shadows. And it will shortly revert to its proper location. With a solid grasp in spite of the terror that was eating at him, Kael raised the blade. "I will not permit that to occur."The figure made another hollow, derisive laugh. "Boy, you have no choice. You already possess the corruption of the Heartstone. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. And you will be consumed by it when the time comes. Kael felt her heart race. He looked at Sienna, who nodded resolutely in his direction. "This thing, whatever it is," she stated steadily, "is lying." The purpose of our visit was to destroy the vessel, and we will do just that. Taking a deep breath, Kael concentrated on the blade he was holding. Faint but not absent, he sensed its energy and directed it into one strong blow. As the blade made contact with the sphere, the figure roared, its shape vanishing into shadows.The room glowed brightly, and the floor trembled wildly beneath them. "Kael!" Sienna bellowed. "The cavern is being destroyed! We must depart! Kael paused, his eyes focused on the broken remains of the Vessel. Though the shadowy figure had vanished, the words it had said remained in his memory. "The corruption of the Heartstone is already within you. It will devour you. Sienna took hold of his arm and dragged him to the door. "Get moving, Kael!" The walls collapsed around them as they ran through the disintegrating tunnel.The murmurs became more urgent and louder, as though the darkness itself was attempting to silence them. At last they exploded into the air, as the cavern's entrance fell away behind them. Breathing heavily, Kael collapsed to his knees. The Heartstone blade remained in his grasp, its light steady yet fading. Sienna was kneeling next to him, looking both relieved and worried. She declared, "We succeeded." "The ship is ruined." Although he nodded, Kael's thoughts were elsewhere. The voice of the stranger was still in his head, its icy words reverberating. "You are already corrupted by the Heartstone."As the light faded, he gazed at the blade, its dim green glow creating unsettling shadows. He began to question whether the person had been telling the truth. What would that signify for him, if it were? Kael held the blade firmly, his resolve tightening as the wind howled around them. He was prepared to face whatever was ahead. He had a sneaking suspicion, though, that the real fight had only just begun.