Chapter 22: Crystal Depths

Chapter 22: Crystal Depths

Dawn broke over the wasteland, its pale light casting a muted glow across the outpost. Kaylen stirred awake, his body still aching from the battle in Thalgris. The Ember Core hummed faintly against his chest, its energy calm but ever-present. He sat up, glancing at Solas and Eryn, who were already packing their supplies.

"Time to move," Solas said without looking up. "The Crystal Depths won't wait for us."

Kaylen nodded, pulling himself to his feet. The name alone unsettled him—Crystal Depths. It sounded beautiful, but Solas's description had painted a much darker picture. He strapped on his pack, tucking the Core securely inside his cloak.

"Ready?" Eryn asked, flashing a faint grin. "Or do you need more beauty sleep?"

Kaylen smirked weakly. "I think I'm beyond saving in that department."

"Let's go," Solas interrupted, their tone brisk. "The Depths are a day's journey east. If we push hard, we can reach the outer caverns before nightfall."

---

The journey was grueling. The rocky terrain grew steeper the closer they got to the Depths, forcing them to navigate precarious paths and jagged outcroppings. The air grew colder, carrying with it a faint, metallic tang that made Kaylen's skin prickle.

By midday, they reached the entrance to the Crystal Depths. The cavern yawned before them, its edges lined with jagged crystals that refracted the dim light into shimmering patterns. The sight was mesmerizing, but there was an unnatural stillness to the air—a silence that pressed heavily on Kaylen's chest.

"This place is alive," Solas said, their voice barely above a whisper. "The crystals resonate with the energy of the fragment. Be on your guard."

Eryn unsheathed their blade, their movements tense but practiced. "What kind of 'alive' are we talking about here? Creepy whispers or things that bite?"

"Both," Solas replied, stepping into the cavern. "Stay close, and don't stray from the path. The energy distortions will disorient you if you're not careful."

Kaylen followed, his grip tightening on the Core. The cavern's interior was breathtaking, the walls covered in crystals that glowed faintly with an inner light. But the deeper they went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The air seemed to hum with energy, and Kaylen could feel the fragment's pull growing stronger.

"Do you feel that?" he asked, his voice echoing faintly.

"Hard not to," Eryn muttered, their eyes darting to every shadow. "This whole place feels like it's watching us."

Solas paused, their gaze fixed on a cluster of crystals ahead. "It is."

Kaylen frowned. "What do you mean?"

"These crystals aren't just decorations," Solas said. "They're conduits. The fragment's energy flows through them, creating the distortions. They'll react to any disturbance—physical or otherwise."

Eryn smirked. "So, no smashing things. Got it."

---

As they ventured deeper, the distortions became more apparent. The air shimmered like heat waves, and the walls seemed to shift and twist when Kaylen looked at them too long. Shapes moved at the edges of his vision, but when he turned to look, there was nothing there.

"Keep your focus," Solas warned. "The Depths will try to distract you. Trust your instincts, not your eyes."

Kaylen nodded, though the whispering in his mind was growing louder. The Core pulsed against his chest, its energy resonating with the cavern. He could feel the fragment's presence, but it was distant, like a faint echo.

Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the cavern. Kaylen froze, his hand instinctively going to the Core. The growl was followed by the sound of claws scraping against stone.

"What was that?" he whispered.

"Company," Eryn said, raising their blade. "Stay sharp."

From the shadows emerged a creature unlike anything Kaylen had ever seen. Its body was made of jagged crystal, its glowing eyes fixed on the group with predatory intent. The creature's movements were unnaturally fluid, as though it were more energy than solid form.

"Crystal Warden," Solas said, their tone calm but firm. "Guardians of the Depths. They're drawn to the fragment's energy—and the Core."

"Great," Kaylen muttered. "What do we do?"

"Fight," Solas replied, their relics flaring to life. "But carefully. The crystals will react to any major disturbance."

Eryn lunged first, their blade slicing through the air with precision. The Warden dodged, its body twisting unnaturally as it lashed out with razor-sharp limbs. Eryn ducked, countering with a strike that chipped away part of the creature's crystalline form.

Kaylen summoned a flicker of fire, the Core's energy surging in response. He focused, shaping the flames into a concentrated burst that struck the Warden's side. The creature screeched, its form flickering as it staggered back.

"Nice shot," Eryn called, sidestepping another attack.

The Warden regrouped quickly, its glowing eyes narrowing as it charged at Kaylen. He raised his hand, summoning another burst of fire, but the strain of using the Core hit him like a wave. His vision blurred, and the flames sputtered out.

"Kaylen!" Solas shouted, stepping in to block the Warden's attack with a glowing shield. "Don't overextend. Let the Core guide you."

Kaylen gritted his teeth, focusing on the Core's energy. He felt its warmth spread through him, steady and powerful. This time, he didn't force it. He let the energy flow, summoning a steady stream of fire that engulfed the Warden.

The creature let out a final, piercing screech before its form shattered into fragments of light. The cavern fell silent once more, the oppressive weight of the Warden's presence lifting.

"Is it over?" Kaylen asked, his voice shaky.

"For now," Solas replied, lowering their shield. "But there will be more. The fragment's power will only draw more guardians the closer we get."

Eryn wiped their blade clean, their expression grim. "Then let's not waste time."

Kaylen nodded, though his body ached from the effort. The Core's whispers had quieted, but they lingered at the edges of his thoughts, a constant reminder of the power he wielded—and the cost of using it.

"We keep moving," he said, determination hardening his voice. "We're not stopping until we find that fragment."

Solas and Eryn exchanged a glance, then nodded. Together, they pressed deeper into the Crystal Depths, the fragment's pull growing stronger with every step.