Their footsteps echoed slowly within the Cracked Tower — a place once only spoken of in legend, now welcoming them with whispers from formless walls. The cold, bleak atmosphere seemed to press against their chests from every corner. The light from Ereth's staff was dim, but just enough to illuminate the ancient carvings that shimmered faintly along the narrow corridor.
"We've stepped into the belly of history," Ereth said quietly, his hand brushing against the wall that pulsed softly like a living creature's heartbeat.
Luma didn't respond. She could feel something deep within — a wave of emotion she couldn't explain. It wasn't fear, but something closer to longing, from a place unknown.
Mirror of the Soul
The corridor led them to a vast hall, its walls covered in tall mirrors. Each of them stood before one mirror. But what they saw was no ordinary reflection.
Luma stood frozen. Before her was a majestic woman — silver eyes gleaming, power radiating from her body. But the face was familiar. It was her… as Vaeloth.
"This fate has already been written," the shadow whispered. "Why resist? You and I… are one."
"No," Luma whispered, clenching her fist. "I am not you."
Beside her, Kael saw himself retreating — leaving Luma fallen, turning away without emotion. His breath caught. "That's not me… that's not me," he repeated.
Ereth stood frozen. His shadow showed him old and frail, alone in a ruined field, whispering their names. His hand trembled. "Enough…" he said, shutting his eyes and hurling his staff at the mirror.
Craaaak!
The mirror cracked. The shimmering shadows vanished instantly, and the entire hall trembled slightly. They looked at each other — their faces weary, but their resolve strengthened.
The Endless Staircase
A towering stone staircase appeared before them. They began to climb, step by step, but after nearly half an hour, they realized — the stairs had no end.
"This is a trick," Kael said, collapsing in frustration. "We're just going in circles."
"It's not our bodies being tested," Ereth replied. "It's our belief."
Luma looked upward — and something inside her whispered: "Imagine the light."
She closed her eyes, and in the darkness, her mother's face appeared, smiling. She reached out, guiding a small light from Luma's own chest.
"Believe."
Luma opened her eyes and began climbing again. The light from her steps grew clearer. Kael and Ereth, though hesitant, followed — and within moments, they stepped onto a solid stone platform. The staircase vanished.
The Soundless Room
A dark corridor greeted them. As they entered, the sound of the world disappeared — no echoes, no breathing, not even a heartbeat could be heard.
Kael tried to speak, but his mouth felt paralyzed. Ereth attempted to signal, but confusion nearly separated them.
Luma panicked briefly — but then remembered Ereth's words: "Sometimes… it's not the voice that carries meaning, but intent."
She closed her eyes and reached out. Kael, guided by instinct, took her hand. Ereth grasped Kael's arm. They held on to each other.
And with that, the room cracked — sound returned, and white light enveloped them.
The Truth in the Secret Room
A stone door opened, and they stepped into a small, dusty library. At the center stood a large painting of a woman and a man, facing each other — sharp gazes, but not hostile.
Ereth read the inscription beneath. "Selene and Vaeloth — light and shadow, born from the same root."
Luma fell silent. Among the ancient books, she found Selene's handwritten journal — and within it, a shocking truth:
"If light and shadow are born from the same blood, then a new hope can only arise from one who carries both."
Her hand trembled. "I… I'm not just Selene," she said quietly. "I'm also Vaeloth."
The Shadow That Rises
Their footsteps finally led them down a long hallway — at its end, a black wooden door slightly cracked, as though waiting to be opened.
But before they could step forward, a voice echoed in Luma's mind again.
"You have arrived, my child. But light that fears the shadow will fade before it ever shines."
Luma looked up. At the tower's ceiling, a pair of red eyes blazed in the darkness.
Kael placed a hand on her shoulder. "Whatever we face, you're not alone."
Ereth nodded. "We've come too far. There's no turning back now."
Luma took a deep breath, and the massive door began to slowly open.
Beyond it, their fate awaited — and at its center, the shadow once known as Vaeloth… now waiting to rise again.
To Be Continued...