Champion sword part-5

"I don't like this… I've got a bad feeling about those stairs," Nari muttered, hiding behind Savior's back.

Her voice was nearly swallowed by the thick, unnatural silence.

Before them, an ancient stone stairway stretched downward—into darkness, as if leading to the belly of the world itself.

Cold mist crept from cracks in the walls, carrying whispers no one could hear.

"Now I'm even more curious…" Arion whispered, his steps steady as he descended the first stone stair.

His footsteps echoed, long and heavy.

Aria followed without hesitation.

Nari, not wanting to look scared, darted forward and flew past them, beating Savior to the descent.

"No way I'm getting stuck up here alone with you," she snapped quickly.

Savior remained still at the edge of the gloom, eyes narrowing.

He stared into the descending void—like he was searching for something invisible, something ancient.

"..."

Silence hung for a beat.

Then, without a word, he stepped down—one step at a time—like someone walking into a nightmare he'd known before.

The stairway seemed endless.

The deeper they went, the thicker the air became.

Dampness and the scent of old earth filled their lungs.

At last, they reached a level floor.

A narrow corridor stretched before them, swallowed in pitch black.

Moss lined the walls, and droplets of water fell steadily from the ceiling.

"This place… it feels like it's been buried for thousands of years," Aria whispered, holding her breath.

Savior walked slowly, one hand brushing the cold stone wall.

His fingers stopped at a point—motionless.

He closed his eyes… then opened them, sharper, knowing.

"Step aside."

His voice was soft—but firm.

With a simple motion, he drew his staff along the mossy wall.

Zzt… Krak!

Light flared suddenly.

Torches embedded along the corridor ignited one by one—

like fire tracing a hidden path—

illuminating the stone passage in a flickering orange glow.

Their shadows danced along the walls—large, warped, and menacing.

Nari gawked in disbelief. "How did you know…?"

Savior didn't look back. His voice was calm—

but beneath it… something deeper stirred.

"Because this place was never meant to be forgotten…

And I've been here before."