Ehtereal Flames

Ezra's eyes darted around the cavern, frantically searching for anything—anywhere—that could shield him from the looming terror. The abomination's presence was suffocating, and the sound of its minions' claws scraping against stone was growing closer.

His heart hammered in his chest as he scanned the jagged walls and twisted shadows. Then, to his right, tucked into the corner of the cavern, he spotted it—a small, narrow pathway barely visible behind a cluster of broken rocks and overgrown moss.

'There!'

Without thinking, Ezra pressed his body low to the ground, moving as quietly as he could.

The pathway was small, far too tight for anything larger than him to fit through, but that was exactly what he needed. He crouched and slipped toward it, careful to keep the slab of rock between himself and the throne.

The shadows of the minions danced erratically on the walls, their guttural noises echoing through the chamber. Ezra's breath caught in his throat as he slipped into the narrow opening, the sharp edges of the rocks scraping against his arms and shoulders.

'Please don't see me. Please don't hear me ' he repeated in his mind like a mantra, inching deeper into the passage. The space was cramped, but it stretched just far enough that he could wedge himself in and remain out of sight.

Once inside, he froze, every muscle tense as he listened. The footsteps of the minions grew louder, then paused. Ezra held his breath, his body trembling as he waited, hoping the darkness and the rocks would hide him.

The footsteps grew louder, each thud sending a chill down Ezra's spine. He pressed himself tightly against the jagged rock, trying to control his breathing.

The heavy, guttural breaths of the minions echoed just outside the narrow pathway, their claws scraping faintly against the stone.

Ezra's heart pounded in his chest, his body frozen as he willed himself to stay silent.

The commotion outside grew louder—low growls, guttural murmurs, and the sound of something being dragged. He couldn't make out what was happening, but then, as suddenly as it began, the noises receded. The footsteps moved away, growing fainter with each passing second.

Ezra exhaled shakily, his trembling hands clutching the cold rock walls. That was too close.

The passage was growing tighter, the jagged edges pressing uncomfortably against his arms and legs. He pushed forward on his elbows, wincing as the rough surface scraped against his skin. His breath came in shallow gasps, the confined space making him feel as though the walls were closing in.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the narrow tunnel began to widen. Ezra's shoulders relaxed slightly as he crawled forward into a more open section. The air was cooler here, carrying a faint metallic tang that made his stomach churn. He paused for a moment to catch his breath, his body aching from the effort.

He glanced back briefly, the faint glow from the abomination's chamber barely visible through the twisting pathway he'd left behind. Relief washed over him as he realized he had put some distance between himself and the monstrous creatures.

"Alright," he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible in the oppressive silence. "One problem down. Now, where the hell am I?"

With a determined breath, Ezra pushed himself to his feet, the pathway ahead stretching into darkness. The faint echoes of his movements were the only sound accompanying him as he began to move forward, deeper into the unknown.

Ezra had stumbled upon a hidden chamber deep within the cave, a space unlike anything he'd ever encountered. It radiated a faint, mysterious glow, almost imperceptible amidst the oppressive darkness. The entrance was shrouded in hanging vines and dense foliage, as though the cave itself was trying to conceal its existence.

"Damn, I'm thirsty," he muttered under his breath, his throat dry and scratchy. All that running and hiding had left him dehydrated as he staggered clasping his chest .

' I really need to work on my stamina '

Inside, the space opened into an enormous cavern. The walls glinted faintly with a strange golden light that seemed to emanate from nowhere, casting a surreal glow over everything. The air was warm, a stark contrast to the chill of the outer cave, and carried a subtle hum—soft and rhythmic, as if the chamber itself was breathing.

As Ezra ventured further, his sharp lavender eyes caught sight of glyph-like patterns etched into the walls. They pulsed faintly, a soft glow rising and falling as if alive. But as he stepped closer, the light faded, the glyphs retreating into the stone as though wary of his presence.

He paused, his hand brushing lightly against the cool rock, the faint pull growing stronger. It was a subtle yet insistent tug, as if his resonance—the very core of his energy—was being drawn toward the glowing glyphs. The sensation wasn't painful, but it sent an unexplainable shiver down his spine.

"What is this place?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. The sound echoed softly, swallowed by the vastness of the chamber.

He couldn't describe the feeling that bubbled deep within his chest. It wasn't fear or confusion—it was something else entirely. It felt strangely familiar, like the comforting warmth of returning to a place he'd never realized he missed.

"Why?" he murmured again, his voice trembling. "Why does this feel… familiar?"

His steps carried him deeper into the chamber, almost against his will, as though the space itself was calling to him. The oppressive darkness of the cave seemed to fade, replaced by a serene glow that wrapped around him like a forgotten memory.

In front of him stood a miniature cathedral, a structure both imposing and delicate. Its intricately crafted exterior told stories of ages long past, every detail a testament to unparalleled craftsmanship. Though worn and softened by time, the structure still held a quiet majesty, its walls adorned with vines and blooming flowers that seemed to grow in defiance of the cave's darkness.

Inside the cathedral, a bright white flame glowed, suspended in mid-air. The light it cast was pure and steady, radiating a calm unlike anything Ezra had ever felt. It didn't flicker or waver, nor did it emit any heat or smoke. It was ethereal, otherworldly—like a piece of eternity frozen in time.

Drawn by instinct, Ezra stepped closer, his breath catching in his throat. His hand reached out toward the flame before he even realized what he was doing. The moment his fingers brushed its edge, he froze, expecting searing pain. But none came.

Instead, he felt warmth—a deep, soothing warmth that spread through his chest, chasing away the chill of the cavern. It didn't burn. It didn't hurt. It felt like… home.

He blinked, staring at the flame, his own reflection shimmering within its light.

"What… is this?" he whispered, the awe in his voice unmistakable.

For a moment, the world around him felt still, as if the chamber itself was holding its breath. The white flame pulsed faintly, and with it came a soft hum that resonated deep within his core. The glyphs on the walls responded, flaring briefly in golden light before fading back into obscurity.

Underneath the glowing flame was a large ceramic bowl filled with clear water. The surface shimmered faintly in the light, giving it an almost ethereal quality. Ezra's eyes widened at the sight, a grin spreading across his face as relief flooded through him.

"Just my luck," he muttered, stepping closer, his voice tinged with dry humor. "Looks like my prayers have been answered."

The faint hum of the chamber seemed to grow quieter as he reached for the bowl, his parched throat screaming for relief. Without hesitation, he knelt down, his hands cupping the cool liquid. For a moment, he hesitated, staring into the crystalline depths. It was so pristine, almost unnaturally so.

"Well," he said to himself, his voice breaking the silence, "it'd be a shame to waste water, no?"

Lifting the water to his lips, he drank greedily. The first sip was cool and refreshing, like liquid silk pouring down his throat. He sighed in contentment, the ache in his chest easing as he gulped down more, not caring about the etiquette of the moment. The water tasted pure, unlike anything he'd ever had before, carrying a faint sweetness that left him craving more.

As he drank, the hum of the chamber seemed to return, a low vibration that resonated faintly in his chest. He paused, lowering the bowl slightly, his brows furrowing as he glanced around. Something about the air felt different, heavier. For a brief moment, he swore he saw ripples spreading across the surface of the water, as though disturbed by an unseen force.

He blinked, shaking his head and brushing the thought away. It was probably just his imagination, or perhaps the exhaustion playing tricks on him. Shrugging it off, he lifted the bowl again, taking another long, greedy gulp.