Each step we took was careful, deliberate, the weight of the building’s dark presence pressing down on us as we climbed. The further up we went, the more the air thickened with the palpable energy that had greeted us at the entrance. There was a malevolence about the place, I could feel it seeping into my bones, making each step harder and each breath more labored. But we kept going, we had nowhere else to go.

Up and up we climbed, the staircase winding higher and higher, drawing us deeper into the heart of this gothic nightmare. We climbed until we reached a landing where the staircase split—continuing upward into the darkness or diverting toward an ornate doorway. The door stood tall and imposing, its surface covered in intricate carvings that twisted like vines around a central crystal that emanated dark energy from it.

I turned to Elyria, my breath coming in short, ragged bursts. "Up or in?” After considering for a moment I answer my own question with a quip and a smirk, “I've always been a fan of in."

Despite everything—the danger, the suffocating energy in the air—Elyria managed a small smile. It was fleeting, barely there, but it was enough to cut through the tension. She nodded, but instead of answering, her gaze flicked to Maya, who had already started moving toward the door. There was something off about her steps, the way she moved slowly, mechanically, her eyes locked on the doorway. She appeared to be in a daze, her body moving without her conscious thought.

Elyria and I exchanged a quick, worried glance before following. Maya’s steps were unnervingly slow, her usual sharp movements dulled into something lifeless. She reached the door and pushed it open with a strange ease, the heavy stone creaking ominously as it swung inward.

The room beyond was vast, larger than I had expected. The walls were lined grotesque carvings, depicting scenes of agony and despair. Figures writhed in torment. Their faces contorted in eternal suffering, their limbs twisted unnaturally. The room felt cold, one that clung to your skin, seeping into your bones.

At the center of the room stood the source of the malevolent energy that had been pressing down on us: a massive, pulsating crystal. It was half my size, its surface a dark, swirling mass of green and black energy that pulsed rhythmically, like the slow, steady beat of a heart. The light it emitted was faint, but it flickered with an unsettling intensity, casting grotesque shadows on the walls. Each pulse seemed to reverberate through the room, making the ground tremble slightly beneath our feet.

Elyria was the first to break the silence. "What is that thing?" she asked, her voice low, filled with a mix of awe and fear.

"I don’t know," I replied, taking a cautious step forward. "But stay away. We need to figure it out before—"

Before I could finish, Maya moved. With a suddenness that startled both Elyria and me, she strode toward the crystal, her hand outstretched as if to touch it.

"Maya, don’t!" I shouted, rushing toward her. "What are you doing?"

But it was too late. The moment Maya’s fingers brushed the surface of the crystal, it let out a high-pitched, ear-splitting shriek. The sound hit us like a physical blow, a shrill noise so piercing it felt like my skull was cracking open. I clamped my hands over my ears, but it did nothing to block the noise. The pain was unbearable, a searing agony that made it feel like my eardrums were bursting, my vision going white with the intensity of it.

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I staggered, falling to my knees as the noise grew louder, sharper, each pulse of the crystal driving the sound deeper into my skull. My world blurred, the edges of my consciousness fraying as I fought to stay awake. It was like my body was shutting down, retreating into itself. I could feel my consciousness pulling away, retreating to a place more comfortable—toward the safety of my inner mind, to the defeated bridge that would hopefully be my safe haven.

But I never made it there.

The noise stopped.

Abruptly, as if the world had been ripped back into place, the sound vanished, leaving only the ringing in my ears and the echo of pain behind my eyes. I blinked rapidly, struggling to focus as the room swam back into view.

At the center of my vision were three figures standing behind the crystal, dominating the room with an overwhelming aura of menace. Their forms were tall and imposing, each clad in intricate armor fashioned from dark, shimmering crystal that seemed to drink in the faint light. Their armor was elaborate, composed of interlocking plates and adorned with sharp spikes and flowing patterns that evoked the elegance and discipline of ancient warriors.

The first warrior stood at the center, towering over the others. His armor was massive yet sleek, with broad shoulder guards and a flowing skirt of layered crystal plates that reached down to his armored boots. He wielded an enormous, curved blade reminiscent of a katana but on a much grander scale. The blade was nearly as tall as he was, its edge honed to a razor-sharp gleam that caught the dim light and reflected it with a sinister glint. The hilt was wrapped in a material that looked like darkened steel, and the guard was shaped like unfurling wings, adding to his formidable appearance. His helmet bore a fierce visage with elongated horns sweeping back, and through narrow slits, his eyes glowed with a cold, malevolent light.

To his right stood the second warrior, slightly shorter but no less intimidating. His armor was more angular, designed for agility and defense, with sharp lines and pointed edges that gave him a razor-like silhouette. He carried a slightly smaller curved blade, I’m sure it had a more proper name but to me it looked like a small katana. In his other hand, he bore a broad shield that appeared to be made of the same dark crystal, its surface etched with swirling patterns that seemed to shift as he moved. The shield's edges were serrated, making it a weapon in its own right. His helmet featured a crest that arched upward, resembling a pair of sweeping blades, and his eyes gleamed with a calculated intensity.

The third warrior stood to the left, his stance low and poised for quick movement. His armor was lighter, comprised of thinner plates that allowed for maximum flexibility without sacrificing protection. Intricate designs adorned his armor, resembling flowing flames or wisps of smoke. He wielded a pair of long, three-pronged daggers—sais—that he spun effortlessly in his hands. The sais were crafted from the same dark crystal, their points sharp and deadly, emitting a faint aura of power. His helmet was sleek and tapered, with a narrow visor that concealed his features entirely, adding an air of mystery to his presence.

For a moment, the warriors remained utterly still, like statues carved from the darkest depths of the earth. The only movement came from the subtle pulsation of the malevolent energy that flowed through them, synchronized with the throbbing light of the crystal behind them. The atmosphere was thick with tension, every breath seeming loud in the oppressive silence.

Then, without warning, their eyes flared with a sudden, intense light. As if responding to an unspoken command or the mere act of our intrusion, they shifted in unison from their statuesque poses. The transition was seamless and fluid. In an instant, they charged.

I barely had time to react before they were upon us.