The door groaned open, revealing a corridor bathed in a flickering red glow. Liana tightened her grip on the Blade of the Veil as she stepped forward, the Shadow King close beside her. The moment they crossed the threshold, the door slammed shut behind them with a deafening thud, locking them inside.
Ahead stretched a vast chamber, its walls forged from black iron and pulsing veins of molten rock. Chains hung from the ceiling, swaying gently despite the still air. At the center stood a circular platform surrounded by deep chasms, and on that platform—a figure awaited.
A warrior, clad in rusted armor, his face obscured by a horned helmet. In one hand, he held a massive axe crackling with red lightning. His presence radiated challenge, a gatekeeper forged from rage and ruin.
"This is your first opponent," the Shadow King said quietly. "He was once a hero. Now, only his fury remains."
The warrior lifted his axe and struck the ground, sending a shockwave that rattled the iron floor. Liana felt the tremor surge through her bones.
"I have to fight him?" she asked, heart hammering.
"You must," the king replied. "Alone."
Before she could protest, shadows enveloped him, and he vanished, leaving her standing at the edge of the platform.
The warrior charged.
Liana barely had time to raise her sword before the axe came down with a roar, sparks exploding as steel met steel. The force nearly knocked her backward, but she held her ground, gritting her teeth.
He swung again, faster this time, and she ducked, rolling aside as the blade embedded in the floor with a thunderous clang. She scrambled up, panting, eyes locked on him.
I can't match his strength, she realized. But I can be faster.
As he wrenched his axe free, she sprinted forward, slashing at the gaps in his armor. Sparks danced, but the blade didn't pierce deep enough. He turned, his armored fist swinging toward her.
It caught her shoulder, sending her sprawling. Pain shot through her side as she skidded across the iron floor.
Get up, she told herself. You have to get up.
The warrior approached, raising his axe high. Liana forced herself to her feet, lifting her sword. Her vision blurred with sweat, but she stood firm.
"You won't break me," she whispered.
He roared and brought the axe down—
But this time, she sidestepped, angling her sword upward. The Blade of the Veil sang as it met the shaft of the axe, sliding along it until the tip grazed his arm. Light flared, and the warrior staggered back, a hiss of smoke rising from the scratch.
It works, she realized. The sword can hurt him!
She pressed the attack, weaving between his strikes, slicing at joints, at gaps in the rusted steel. Each cut left glowing lines, weakening him bit by bit.
But he fought harder, faster, his rage growing. Sparks flew around them as blades clashed under the crimson light.
Finally, with a desperate cry, Liana drove her sword into the hollow beneath his arm. Light burst outward. The warrior froze—then crumbled into dust, his armor collapsing with a metallic sigh.
Breathing hard, she dropped to one knee, exhaustion flooding her limbs.
A voice echoed from the shadows: "Well done."
The Shadow King stepped into view, his gaze unreadable. "You defeated the first trial. But this is only the beginning."
Around them, the chamber trembled. The floor shifted, revealing new pathways spiraling deeper into the fortress.
"Prepare yourself, Liana," he warned. "The forge tests more than steel. It tests the soul."
She rose slowly, gripping her sword tighter. "I'm ready."
And together, they stepped forward.
They walked down a narrow bridge of stone, suspended over rivers of molten fire. Shadows danced along the walls, whispering unintelligible words, voices that seemed both ancient and alive.
Ahead, another chamber loomed—this one vast and filled with floating platforms hovering above darkness. Chains hung from the ceiling, and as Liana stepped closer, she realized shapes dangled from them: skeletons of warriors long fallen, their weapons rusted and broken.
"The next trial awaits," the Shadow King murmured. "This one will test your resolve."
Suddenly, from the far side of the chamber, the sound of wings echoed. Shadows coalesced into a winged creature—part serpent, part crow, with claws that gleamed like obsidian knives. Its many eyes glowed red as it hissed and unfurled its wings.
Liana swallowed hard. "I have to fight… that?"
The Shadow King nodded. "This enemy is not strength alone. You must learn to see beyond."
Before she could ask what he meant, the creature lunged, its wings slicing the air like blades. Liana leaped aside as claws raked the floor where she'd stood.
She darted onto one of the floating platforms, heart pounding. The creature followed, diving at her, forcing her to roll and dodge. Its tail whipped toward her; she blocked with her sword, but the force knocked her to another platform.
She scrambled up, panting. "Think, think…"
The mark on her wrist pulsed. The platform beneath her feet shimmered faintly.
See beyond…
She closed her eyes for a moment, focusing. When she opened them, faint trails of light appeared in the air—lines connecting the platforms, forming a hidden path.
"The path…" she whispered.
The creature screeched and swooped again. Liana sprinted forward, leaping from one glowing platform to the next, following the trail. The creature followed, but each jump took her farther, faster.
At the end of the trail, a pedestal awaited, holding a small sphere of radiant light.
That's it!
She lunged toward it, but the creature blocked her path, wings flaring wide. It struck with claws, snapping its beak, fury blazing in its many eyes.
Liana raised her sword, parrying desperately. Sparks flew with each clash. The platform trembled beneath them.
"I won't back down!" she shouted.
With a sudden burst of speed, she ducked beneath the creature's wing, rolled forward, and thrust her sword into its chest. Light erupted from the blade's point, spreading cracks across the beast's shadowy form.
It shrieked, wings flailing wildly. Liana pushed harder, driving the sword deeper until the creature exploded into a burst of ash and dark feathers.
Panting, she stumbled toward the pedestal, reaching out. The sphere of light floated into her palm, warm and thrumming with power.
Behind her, the Shadow King appeared. "You have claimed the Heart of Insight," he said quietly. "It will guide you."
As the chamber faded, the platforms dissolving into mist, Liana found herself standing once more beside him, the light still glowing in her hand.
She looked up at him, determination burning in her eyes. "What's next?"
The king's lips curved faintly. "Now, the forge will test your will."
A new path opened before them, leading deeper into shadow.
"Come," he said. "Your true trial begins."
And together, they stepped forward, into the unknown once more.