chapter 26

Chapter 26

The oppressive silence of the sanctuary stretched into the depths of the corridor. The black stone walls gleamed faintly under the glow of the magic torches that Elion, Eridan and Veyla held in their hands. Their footsteps echoed on the stone floor, every noise amplified by the icy acoustics of the place.

Elion walked in his head, sword in his hand. The silvery aura that surrounded him after the fight against the creature had faded, but his gaze remained piercing, calculating. Behind him, Eridan and Veyla followed in silence, their senses alert.

"This sanctuary..." whispered Eridan. "It is different from ordinary ruins. Demonic magic is unusually concentrated here."

"It's not just demonic magic," Elion replied. "There's something else, an ancient form of energy."

"Ancient?"

"Yes. A force that existed even before the birth of the Demon Empire."

Veyla glanced anxiously at the walls of the corridor. Symbols carved into the stone pulsed faintly with a dark red glow. Angulous motives, representing unknown creatures, battles, and scenes of destruction.

"These are not demonic runes," she whispered.

Elion stopped at a large obsidian door. Two huge statues flanked the entrance, representing knights in black armor, their faces hidden by helmets adorned with horns. Their spears were crossed in front of the door, like an impenetrable barrier.

Elion put his hand on the door. A vibration ran through his arm, a icy wave going up its spine.

"There's a magic barrier," he said.

Eridan approached, putting his hand on the cold surface of the door. A golden light emanated from her glove, but she was immediately rejected by a dark pulse.

"It's class 6 magic," he growled.

Elion closed his eyes, activating his Ki. The silver aura wrapped his hand as he slowly pushed against the door. The barrier shook slightly, but did not give way.

"A key is missing," he said.

"A key?" asked Veyla.

Elion slowly opened his eyes, his icy gaze scrutinizing the statues.

"Not a physical key. A spiritual key."

He took a step back, raising his sword. The silvery aura around the Pulsa blade, projecting a pale light onto the walls.

"Get ready." This sanctuary is designed to test those who wish to awaken what is locked in it."

"Wake up?" whispered Eridan, his eyebrows frowned.

"If we want to open this door, we will have to face his guardian."

As if to answer his words, a shockwave echoed through the corridor. The statues vibrated, and the symbols on their armor brightened abruptly with a blood-red glow.

A squeaky metal sound echoed as the crossed spears slowly moved away. The statues raised their heads, their eyes opening to a scarlet glow.

"Intruder..." scolded a cavernous voice.

"The door... is forbidden..."

The statues drew their spears. A black wave cleared their bodies, making the air heavier, almost unbreathable.

Elion wielded his sword.

- "In training!"

Veyla leaped back, summoning two lightning daggers into her hands.

"Eridan, take the left flank! I'll take care of the right!"

Eridan nodded and raised his shield. A golden aura rose around his body as he charged towards the statue on the left.

Elion rushed directly into the statue on the right. He disappeared in silvery lightning, reappearing right in front of his opponent. He shot his sword down into a precise bow.

The shot met the statue's spear in a deafening metallic shock. Sparks flew as Elion was pushed back several steps.

"They're fast," he scolded.

Veyla threw a volley of lightning daggers at the statue on the left. The weapons ricocheted against the creature's armor, but an electric shock briefly traversed her body, slowing it down.

"Now, Eridan!" cried Veyla.

Eridan thrust his shield into the side of the statue. A golden light exploded on impact, throwing the statue against the wall.

"Well done!" exclaimed Veyla.

Elion pivoted, dodging a spear that passed a few inches from his face. He squatted down, then leaped forward, his blade surrounded by a silvery light.

"Awakening of the Lunar Crescent!"

The sword fell into a perfect bow. A wave of silver energy passed through the statue's torso, creating an explosion of light. The statue staggers, a luminous fissure appearing on his armor.

"They can be hurt!"

The statue on the right struck again, but Elion dodged with a fluid motion. He channeled his Ki into his legs and leaped to the weak spot he had created.

"Break the Moon!"

The blade fell. The crack widens before exploding in a rain of silvery light. The statue fell to its knees before dissolving into dust.

Eridan and Veyla combined their attacks on the second statue. Veyla created an electric arc that briefly paralyzed the enemy, while Eridan, his gold-lit shield, charged one last time.

The impact smashed the statue's armor, shattering it into black fragments.

Silence fell in the corridor.

Elion slowly sheathed his sword, watching the ashes of the statues dissipate into the air.

"That was the first test," he whispered.

The obsidian door vibrated, then slowly opened into a dull squeak. A pale light escaped from the opening, revealing a spiral staircase sinking into the darkness.

"The way is open," said Elion.

Veyla approached, her breath short.

"Are you really going to keep going?"

Elion glanced coldly at the staircase.

"There is something in this sanctuary. A weapon, a forgotten power."

Eridan stepped forward, putting a hand on Elion's shoulder.

"If it's a trap?"

Elion smiled coldly.

"Then we will destroy it."

He walked through the door without hesitation. Veyla and Eridan exchanged glances before following him.

In the darkness of the sanctuary, an echo sounded. An ancient presence was slowly awakening. A pair of blood-red eyes opened, scrutinizing the approach of the new intruder.

The King of Heaven was sinking into darkness, where even the gods dared not set foot.