Chapter 28: Crystal Guardian Trials. Part Three
Through the open door a slight dizziness hits and Coal steps into a narrow hallway, dimly lit by small torches mounted on the walls.
The hallway stretches ahead of him, disappearing into darkness.
A cool breeze blows through the corridor, carrying with it the faint scent of saltwater.
As Coal walks down the hallway, he notices that the walls are made of smooth, polished stone, and there are no visible seams or openings.
It's almost as if the corridor was carved out of a single piece of rock.
After walking for what seems like an eternity, the hallway finally opens up into a large chamber.
The chamber is unlike anything Coal has ever seen before. The walls are covered in shimmering, iridescent crystals that give off a soft, ethereal light.
The floor is made of the same smooth, polished stone as the hallway, but in the center of the chamber, there is a small pool of water.
Coal approaches the pool and peers into the water. To his surprise, he sees his own reflection staring back at him.
But something is off. His reflection looks... different somehow. Darker, more menacing.
As he stares into the water, the surface begins to ripple and churn. Suddenly, a dark shape bursts out of the water and lunges at Coal.
Reacting quickly, Coal raises his shield and braces himself for impact.
The creature slams into his shield with incredible force, but Coal manages to keep his footing.
As he looks up, he sees that the creature is a shadowy, amorphous mass, vaguely humanoid in shape.
The creature lets out an ear-splitting screech and lunges at Coal again. This time, Coal swings his sword, coating it in fire, and the blade slices cleanly through the creature's form.
But instead of dissipating like he expected, the creature splits into two smaller shadows, each one just as dangerous as the first.
Coal quickly realizes that this is no ordinary fight. He needs to figure out a way to defeat the shadows for good.
He scans the room, searching for anything that could help him.
That's when he notices what has been in the other trials a small pedestal sits on the far side of the chamber.
Atop the pedestal is a piece of paper that looks old and worn out.
Coal gets Muddy to keep the shadows busy with his large mass as he shoots beams of fire and gets near the pedestal.
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Grabbing the paper he begins to read:
The shadows are not what they seem. These shadow beings are not monsters, but a manifestation of your own darker side. The more upright and lawful you are the weaker the shadow, but a sinful person’s shadow being would completely take them over and replicate.
Attacking the shadows physically or with spirit energy has no effect on them. There is only one way to face them, and that is by absorbing them and allowing them into your body. Once they are there you will have to fight with just your sheer will to keep them in check.
If you are successful in defeating them, you will find that you have complete control over your darker emotions and can empower yourself through them either by cutting them off completely and maintaining a level head or by using them to give yourself more power. Good luck if you are reading this for you are likely facing one. I only hope you are a righteous person.
Trust in yourself and have faith. Let your instincts guide you, and you will find the way.
Coal puts the paper in his satchel and tells Muddy to go back into his core.
Muddy squeaks questioningly, but Coal insists and Muddy disappears.
Coal takes a deep breath and focuses on his own emotions, trying to face his own darker side.
He feels a surge of fear and anger rise within him, but he manages to keep it under control.
The shadows continue to attack him, but Coal avoids their strikes and waits for an opportunity to absorb them.
Finally, he sees an opening and reaches out to grab one of the shadows.
As he touches it, he feels a rush of cold energy flow into his body, and the shadow begins to dissolve into him.
Coal closes his eyes and focuses on his willpower, determined to keep the shadow in check.
He feels a struggle within him, as the shadow tries to take over, but he manages to overcome it and absorb the other shadow as well.
As the shadows are absorbed, Coal feels a rush of power flow through him.
He opens his eyes, and he sees that his reflection in the pool has changed.
He looks darker and more menacing, but he feels more in control of himself than ever before.
Coal takes a moment to steady himself and to adjust to the changes he has undergone.
He realizes that he has gained a greater understanding of himself, and the experience has allowed him to confront and conquer his inner demons.
Feeling more confident, he takes a step forward and notices that the crystals on the walls are glowing brighter, illuminating the chamber in a warm, welcoming light.
Coal feels a sense of peace wash over him as he walks towards the exit of the chamber.
As he reaches the hallway, he looks back at the pool and sees that his reflection has returned to its normal appearance.
These trials so far did not seem as bad as he originally anticipated, but he does not really know how many there were going to be so maybe he should reserve his judgements.
At the end of the hallway, Coal was met with a dead end of what seemed like a few hundred feet fall.
There were levitating platforms and giant pillars throughout the room.
Coal surveys the room, taking note of the platforms and pillars. He tries to think of a way to cross the seemingly bottomless pit before him.
He notices that the platforms are spaced out at regular intervals, and there are small markings on the pillars that seem to correspond with each platform.
Coal takes out the old piece of paper from his satchel and reads it again.
"Trust in yourself and have faith. Let your instincts guide you, and you will find the way."
Coal takes a deep breath and steps onto the first platform. It wobbles slightly under his weight, but it holds.
He looks up and sees the next platform, several yards away. He takes a running leap, his feet hitting the edge of the platform, and he lands on it with a thud.
He continues in this way, trusting his instincts and leaping from platform to platform.
As he progresses, he notices that the markings on the pillars are becoming clearer, and he realizes that they are a pattern.
He studies the pattern carefully, memorizing it, and uses it to guide his movements.
Finally, he reaches the last platform and sees that it leads to a door. He steps onto it and feels it begin to move.
The platform rises slowly, carrying him upwards towards the door.
As he reaches the top, he sees that the door is made of heavy, reinforced metal. He takes a deep breath and prepares himself for whatever lies beyond.
With a push, the door creaks open, and Coal steps through it, ready for the next challenge.
As he progresses forward once more, he thinks about how Gwen and Gary are doing and what kind of trials they are facing.