The path downwards narrowed into twisting corridors that seemed to have a life of their own, winding in impossible directions, as if leading them in circles. The silence pressed in, punctuated only by the faint scrape of their boots and the flickering torchlight that seemed to struggle against the darkness.
Mihai felt an unease gnawing at him, an instinctive sense that something was very wrong. He gripped the Twin Flames tightly, scanning each shadow, each nook. His thoughts drifted to Elanor’s words about her people’s deep connection to a single partner. The promise she had given him felt like a quiet weight he carried, one he was determined to honor.
They walked for what felt like hours before reaching a cavern that branched off into several narrow passageways. Kronmud inspected each one, muttering under his breath, before pointing down a path lined with strange, faintly glowing stones. “This one feels like it’s leadin’ us somewhere,” he said, his voice subdued but certain.
The group followed, but as they continued, an unsettling feeling intensified. Each step felt heavier, as if the mountain itself resisted them. And then, as they rounded a sharp turn, Mihai froze.
A figure stood in the shadows ahead, barely visible but undeniably familiar. His breath caught—it was a vision of a woman, he had known in another life, another world. The vision stood there, watching him with an expression that was both familiar and alien, eyes filled with a sadness that cut into Mihai’s heart. He could not remember her , memories which were broken trying to surface.
“Why did you leave me?” the girls voice whispered, soft but piercing.
Mihai blinked, but the vision remained, solid as the walls around him. His heart raced, and he reached out, but the girls figure faded, dissolving into the darkness. He shook his head, trying to clear the sudden fog clouding his mind.
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Nearby, Cian gasped softly, his face pale as he stared into the darkness. “I… I see my father,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “I hear him…”
Elanor placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, murmuring a quiet chant that seemed to ease the fear in his eyes. She looked around, her gaze steady but troubled. “These are illusions, memories twisted by the darkness. It’s feeding on our fears, trying to turn us against ourselves.”
Kronmud scoffed, his grip tightening on his axe. “Bah! Cheap tricks won’t scare me!” But even his voice held a slight edge, betraying his discomfort.
They pressed onward, each step taking more effort, each shadow seeming to pull on them with an unseen force. Mihai felt his heart racing, the memory of the vision seared into his mind. He clenched his fists, reminding himself of the reality around him—his friends, his mission, and the promise he had made.
They reached another small alcove, and Kronmud suggested they rest briefly, the toll of the illusions evident on each of their faces. As they sat, they shared their experiences, grounding themselves in the reality of each other’s presence.
Mihai described his vision in a low voice, and Cian did the same, his gaze distant as he recalled the voice of his father, a memory he hadn’t thought of in years. Raven nuzzled against Mihai, offering a silent but steadfast comfort.
Elanor placed her hand gently on Mihai’s arm, her eyes filled with understanding. “This darkness is ancient. It thrives on our fears, on our memories. But as long as we’re together, we can hold it back.”
Mihai nodded, feeling her touch steady him. Her words reminded him of her quiet strength, a strength that grounded him even amidst his fear.
After a short break, they pushed onward, moving through more twisted corridors, each turn feeling like a step closer to something ancient and malevolent. The echoes of their visions lingered, the psychological toll as heavy as the physical journey. Yet, despite the fears gnawing at them, they continued, driven by the knowledge that only by facing this darkness could they hope to dispel it.
In the growing silence, Mihai’s unease deepened. Something about the path ahead felt off, as if each step brought them closer to a reckoning that none of them were fully prepared for.
“I don’t like this,” he murmured to Elanor, his gaze scanning the shadows ahead. “It feels… wrong. Like something’s waiting for us.”
Elanor squeezed his hand, her gaze steady. “I trust you, Mihai. And whatever comes, we’ll face it together.”