Chapter 6: Vara’Thor

---Past, 12 years ago.---

The following morning, the air was cold and still, the sky painted with the muted colors of dawn. Su stood near the edge of the village, his arms crossed as he waited. Nearby, Zanaiya leaned against a stone pillar, her trident resting across her shoulders.

"So, the mighty Su'Rhaal is finally being trusted with the tribe's greatest secret," Zanaiya said, her tone teasing. "Excited?"

Su shrugged. "It's just a cave. What's so special about it?"

Zanaiya's eyes narrowed, her usual smirk fading. "If it were just a cave, the elders wouldn't treat it like sacred ground. Whatever's in there… it's dangerous. Don't take it lightly."

Before Su could respond, the sound of heavy footsteps drew their attention. Kael approached, flanked by two elders dressed in ceremonial robes adorned with crimson and black patterns.

"It's time," Kael said simply.

The group set off in silence, their path winding through jagged cliffs and narrow ravines. The air grew cooler the higher they climbed, the shadows of the cliffs stretching long in the early morning light.

Su walked beside his father, his mind racing. He had always prided himself on his strength, his ability to face any challenge without hesitation. But now, a flicker of doubt crept in.

"Why now?" he asked finally. "Why show me this?"

Kael didn't look at him. "Because strength alone won't make you Kah'Varra. You must prove you can resist the pull of what lies within the Shrine. If you can't…" He trailed off, his meaning clear.

------

The entrance to the Vara'Thor loomed before them, a dark fissure in the mountainside framed by ancient stone carvings. The figures etched into the rock depicted monstrous beings with wings and blades, locked in eternal battle against warriors wielding spears and shields.

Su felt a chill run down his spine as he stepped closer, the air heavy with an oppressive energy that seemed to seep into his very bones.

Inside, the Shrine was dimly lit by flickering torches, their light casting eerie shadows on the walls. Symbols and runes covered every surface, their meaning lost to time but their presence a constant reminder of the past.

At the center of the chamber stood a pedestal of black stone, and atop it rested a great sword.

The blade seemed to pulse faintly, its dark surface etched with glowing red runes that writhed like living things. The air around it was charged, humming with a faint, rhythmic energy that resonated deep in Su's chest.

Kael and the elders stopped a safe distance from the pedestal, their expressions grave.

"This is the heart of our burden," Kael said, his voice low. "The weapon that nearly destroyed the world. The essence of a Darkin, sealed within, waiting for the moment it can corrupt another soul."

Su stepped forward, his eyes locked on the sword. "Why don't we destroy it?"

Kael's gaze hardened. "Because some things cannot be destroyed. Only contained."

Kael turned to face Su fully. "Step closer."

Su hesitated, the weight of the air pressing down on him as he took a slow step forward. The hum of the sword grew louder, the runes pulsing in time with his heartbeat.

"Do you feel it?" Kael asked.

Su nodded. "It's… alive."

"It is. And it will test you. If your will falters, even for a moment, it will seize you and twist you into something unrecognizable."

Swallowing hard, Su took another step forward. The humming grew louder, the energy from the sword pressing against him like a wave.

For a moment, he felt something—an itch at the back of his mind, a faint whisper that promised strength beyond comprehension. He stopped, his breathing uneven.

"Don't listen to it," Kael warned, his tone sharp.

But the whispers grew louder, more insistent. Images flashed in Su's mind—himself standing victorious over armies, his enemies bowing before him, the strength of the Darkin flowing through his veins.

He reached out, his hand trembling as it hovered over the hilt.

"Su, stop!" Kael barked, stepping forward.

The sound of his father's voice snapped Su back to reality. He froze, his hand inches from the sword, before pulling it back. His breathing was ragged, his heart pounding.

Kael grabbed his shoulder, pulling him away from the pedestal. "You weren't ready," he said, his voice laced with disappointment.

Su's fists clenched at his sides, shame burning in his chest.

The walk back to the village was silent. The elders exchanged quiet glances but said nothing. Su kept his head low, his thoughts a whirlwind of frustration and doubt.

Zanaiya was waiting for him when they returned, her brow furrowing as she took in his expression.

"What happened?" she asked.

Su shook his head, his voice tight. "Nothing."

She didn't press him, but her concern lingered as she watched him walk away.