Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Elion was advancing through the dark tunnel, his piercing gaze peering into every corner of the stone walls. The air became heavier with each step, loaded with an unhealthy and oppressive aura. The magic torches attached to the walls shone faintly, their trembling light struggling with the creeping darkness.

Eridan and Veyla followed closely, their weapons ready. Behind them, a dozen soldiers of rank two marched in tight formation, their armor squeaking faintly under the ambient humidity.

"Corrupt magic is intensifying," whispered Veyla. "This place was not sealed by chance."

"What's strange is that this level of corruption shouldn't manifest itself so close to the surface," Eridan replied, his jaw tightened.

Elion stopped in front of a massive black metal door, engraved with ancient symbols that pulsed faintly with a reddish glow. The door was decorated with a claw-shaped iron handle.

"What are we doing?" asked Eridan.

Elion put a hand on the cold surface of the door, channeling his Ki into his palms. The engraved symbols vibrated, reacting to his presence. A wave of dark magic spread through the air, creating a distortion in the atmosphere.

A dull rumble echoed in the corridor.

"It's a magic lock," whispered Elion.

He closed his eyes, concentrating his Ki in his hand. A silver aura surrounded his palm as he imprinted his energy into the lock. The symbols began to light up violently.

The door vibrated, then a deep click echoed. The metal claws slowly retracted, and the door opened in a dull squeak.

A breath of icy air escaped from the opening, carrying with it a smell of ancient blood and burnt flesh.

"Get ready," Elion ordered.

They walked into the room beyond the door. The place was a vast circular chamber, the walls lined with glowing red glyphs. Statues of demonic creatures stood in the shadows, their stone eyes twinkling with a supernatural glow.

In the center of the room, a black altar was erected on a stone platform. On this altar, a humanoid figure lay, chained by silver chains engraved with ancient symbols.

"Is that... human?" asked Eridan, approaching cautiously.

Elion frowned. The figure wore tattered armor, black as night. Dark Ki shards throbbed around her, but that wasn't what troubled Elion the most. It was the familiar sensation that emanated from this person.

"He's still alive," said Elion.

The figure suddenly opened his eyes. Two red irises shone in the dark. The air vibrated with sudden, stifling pressure.

"Who are you?" asked Elion in a cold voice.

The chained man slowly opened his mouth.

"Free me... or die..."

Veyla reacted immediately, throwing a dagger that stuck in the ground near the man's head.

"Do you dare threaten us while you're in chains?" she spat.

The man laughed weakly.

"You don't understand what you woke up..."

A quiver went through the room. The glyphs engraved on the walls suddenly lit up with a scarlet glow. A wave of dark magic swept the room, making the torches flicker.

"Trap!" cried Eridan.

Elion projected forward as an explosion of black Ki sprang from the altar. The chained man was suddenly freed by the force of the explosion. He slowly straightened up, his black armor reconstituting itself around him in a metallic noise.

"Rank 4," whispered Veyla as she squeezed her dagger.

Elion drew his sword, his silver Ki radiating the air around him.

"Identify yourself!" he ordered.

The man smiled.

"My name is Kael. Dark Knight of the Fallen Kingdom."

Elion felt a shiver running through his spine. The Fallen Kingdom was a legend, a cursed kingdom that would have been swallowed up by a demonic force centuries ago.

"What are you doing here?" asked Elion.

Kael raised a hand, black flames dancing at his fingertips.

"I am here... to guide the rebirth of chaos."

He threw a black fireball at Elion. The latter pivoted, blocking the attack with his sword. The impact generated a shockwave that threw Veyla and Eridan back.

Kael projected himself towards Elion with lightning speed, his black sword forward.

Elion intercepted the blow, but the power of the impact made his arm vibrate.

"He's fast!" whistled Eridan, straightening up.

Kael chained a series of precise and powerful blows, forcing Elion to back down.

"You are strong... but insufficient," said Kael in a cold tone.

Elion channeled a Ki impulse into his legs and projected himself forward, cutting towards Kael's torso. Elion's sword met resistance. A dark barrier protected Kael's body.

"Too slow," whispered Kael.

He responded with a knee blow to Elion's belly, throwing him back. Elion rolled on the floor before straightening up.

Veyla and Eridan sided with Elion.

"We'll take it three!" cried Eridan.

Kael raised his sword, a dark aura intensifying around him.

"Come on," he whispered.

Elion shone his sword with a silvery glow.

"Veyla, take the right. Eridan, the left."

"Received!" they answered in chorus.

They rushed simultaneously. Veyla threw a volley of lightning daggers, forcing Kael to raise his sword to block them.

Eridan hit Kael's left flank, forcing him to pivot.

Elion stood behind him, concentrating a wave of Ki in his blade.

"Slice from heaven!"

He fell his sword on Kael's back. The blade shone with a dazzling light, punctured Kael's dark barrier.

A cry of pain escaped from the black knight's throat as he collapsed on one knee.

Kael stood up panting, his eyes black.

"Interesting... very interesting."

He slowly retreated into the darkness.

"This is just the beginning, Elion Skyless."

He disappeared into the darkness.

Elion wiped the blood on the edge of his sword, the hard look.

"He'll come back."

"And we'll be ready," said Eridan.

Elion stared at the darkness before him.

"This is just the beginning."