Damien approached the crystal cautiously, his footsteps slow and deliberate. Its glow pulsed rhythmically, casting an eerie light over the ravine. He could feel a faint hum in the air, almost as if the crystal were alive, calling out in a language he couldn’t understand.
The battle with the armored beast still lingered in his mind. He had pushed himself to new limits, but the power coursing through him now made him wonder just how much stronger he could become. Ebonfang pulsed faintly at his side, resonating with the energy of the crystal as if the two were connected.
Damien knelt beside the glowing shard and reached out, his fingers hovering just above its jagged surface. The hum grew louder, vibrating through his bones, and a sudden rush of images flashed through his mind. Visions of battles fought long ago—warriors wielding blades wreathed in light, shadowy beasts falling before them, and a towering figure holding a sword that radiated pure, overwhelming power.
His breath caught in his throat as the visions faded, leaving only the sound of his heartbeat and the crystal’s steady hum. He felt a strange connection, a sense that this crystal held something vital to his journey. Whatever it was, it wasn’t just power—it was knowledge, history, purpose.
Gathering his resolve, Damien placed his hand on the crystal. The moment his skin touched its surface, a surge of energy shot through him, almost overwhelming in its intensity. His vision blurred, and the world around him seemed to fade, replaced by an endless void of light and shadow.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
In the distance, a voice echoed—deep, resonant, and ancient.
“Bearer of the Blade… your path has begun.”
Damien’s eyes widened. The voice was neither threatening nor kind; it simply existed, carrying the weight of something far beyond human comprehension. He tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat.
“You seek strength, but strength alone is not enough. The power you wield is tied to the balance of this world. Prove yourself, and the path will open.”
Before Damien could question the meaning of the words, the void shattered, and he was thrust back into reality. He gasped, his hand jerking away from the crystal. The hum subsided, and the glow dimmed, but its presence lingered in his mind like an unshakable dream.
He stood slowly, his body still tingling from the encounter. The crystal had imparted something to him—an understanding, a piece of the puzzle that was his destiny. But the voice’s warning echoed in his thoughts. *Strength alone is not enough.*
Damien glanced at Ebonfang, the blade resting against his hip. Its runes had dimmed, but he could feel its latent power, waiting for the right moment to awaken further. Whatever lay ahead, he would need more than just raw strength. He would need to understand the true nature of the blade, and perhaps even himself.
He turned his gaze toward the darkened forest. The crystal had given him direction, but the journey was far from over. Somewhere beyond the trees lay the next step in his path, the next challenge to prove his worth. The thought filled him with both anticipation and unease.
The world was changing, and he was changing with it. Whatever forces were at play, he knew he couldn’t stop now. He would carve his place in this world, no matter the cost.
Without a second glance, Damien stepped away from the ravine and disappeared into the shadows of the forest, the faint hum of the crystal fading behind him.