Chapter 27

Chapter 27

The spiral staircase descended in an infinite spiral, carved into the black rock. The light of the magic torches cast moving shadows on the walls, accentuating the tension in the air. Elion opened the way, his gaze fixed straight ahead, imperturbable despite the heaviness of the atmosphere. Veyla followed closely, her daggers ready to strike at the slightest suspicious movement, while Eridan closed the march, a golden light pulsating faintly around her shield.

"How long have we been down?" asked Veyla, her voice resounding faintly against the stone.

Eridan glanced back. The staircase seemed endless, as if time itself had distorted.

"At least an hour," he answered.

"This place..." whispered Elion. "It's built on a magic fault. Time distortion is a natural defense against intruders."

Veyla stopped for a moment, putting a hand against the wall.

"A magic flaw?" This kind of phenomenon only occurs in the confluence zones between several magical flows."

"Exactly," Elion confirmed. "This sanctuary may very well have been built at the intersection of several telluric lines. If so, the power it contains probably exceeds anything we have faced so far."

Eridan clenched his teeth.

"Which means we're not yet at the end of our sorrows."

Suddenly, Elion stopped.

"There's something in front."

Veyla tensed immediately.

"A creature?"

Elion carefully advanced to the last landing of the staircase. In front of him lay a vast circular room, illuminated by a bluish light that seemed to come from the ground. Ancient motifs, similar to those engraved on the statues, covered the walls and the ceiling.

In the center of the room, a figure was waiting.

A knight in black armor, much bigger than the previous statues. A torn cape floated behind him, and in his right hand he held a huge sword whose blade was covered with glowing runes.

Two scarlet eyes opened under his helmet.

"Intruder..." scolded a cavernous voice.

Elion stepped forward, raising his sword.

"Are you the guardian of the sanctuary?"

The knight did not answer immediately. He slowly raised his sword, pointing it at Elion.

"Only those worthy of the power of the Fallen King can walk through this door. Are you ready to prove your worth?"

Eridan stepped forward.

" Elion "

Elion raised his hand, stopping Eridan with a simple gesture.

"Let me do it."

He advanced towards the center of the room, his silvery aura intensifying around his body.

"If I win, will that door open?"

"If you survive," answered the knight.

A red flash of lightning escaped from the knight's blade as he moved. He charged at Elion at lightning speed.

Elion by the shot at the last moment. The force of the impact raised a shockwave that shook the whole room.

"He's fast!" cried Eridan.

Veyla took several steps back, lifting her daggers.

"Faster than the others!"

Elion pivoted, channeling his Ki into his legs. He leaped back, dodging another vertical attack that opened a large crack in the ground.

"Speed and power... It's level 6 at least," whispered Elion.

The knight raised his sword again.

"Let's test your potential, King of Heaven."

A red wave bursts from the knight's sword, heading towards Elion at lightning speed. Elion crossed his arms in front of him, his silver aura forming a shield of Ki. The wave exploded on impact, projecting Elion back.

"Tss..." Elion sat up, his gaze hardening.

He squeezed his sword with both hands.

"All right... let's see how far your power goes."

He disappeared in a silvery flash.

A metallic shock echoed when Elion's blade hit the knight's blade. The air vibrated under the pressure of the two opposing energies.

Elion pivoted, his sword drawing a perfect bow. The knight hit it, but the shockwave cracked his armor.

"Not bad," scolded the knight.

He fought back immediately. Elion blocked the first attack, but the force of the shot made him slide several meters back.

"You're not ready yet, King of Heaven!"

A new wave of red energy exploded from the knight's sword. Elion channeled his Ki into his sword, tracing a defensive bow in front of him. The impact caused a detonation that raised splinters of stone.

Veyla and Eridan retreated under pressure.

"Elion!" cried Veyla.

But Elion did not flinch. He straightened up, a icy glow in his eyes.

"Your power is immense, but insufficient."

Elion closed his eyes. His silver aura intensified.

" Awakening of the Scarlet Moon "

A white light escaped from his body. The energy intensified around his blade, creating a halo of pure silver.

"Perforating Lunar Crescent!"

He knocked. The blade surrounded itself with a silver wave that split the air into a perfect line.

The attack pierced the knight's chest. A shockwave exploded in the room.

The knight staggered back, falling to his knees. His armor cracked, then burst into black fragments.

The helmet fell off, revealing a skeletal face whose eyes glooded faintly.

"You are worthy..." whispered the knight.

Elion approached, staring cold.

"Then the door will open?"

The knight nodded slowly.

"The power of the Fallen King... belongs to you now."

The knight's body dissipated to ashes.

A dull vibration echoed in the room. The wall at the back of the room cracked slowly, revealing a hidden passage.

Elion sheathed his sword.

"Let's go on."

Eridan approached, visibly impressed.

"Elion... you won against a Class 6 opponent."

Elion glanced coldly at the door.

"That was just the first test."

Veyla approached.

"What awaits us behind that door?"

Elion stopped in front of the dark entrance.

- "The beginning of the true ascension."

He entered the shadows, followed by Veyla and Eridan.

In the darkness, an ancient breath awoke. The power of the Fallen King had just found a new heir.