Chapter 18: Descent into
the Abyss
The
spiral path into the Abyss was like nothing they had encountered before. The
further they descended, the more the air thickened, becoming colder and heavier
with each step. The shards they carried provided faint light, but it barely
pushed back the encroaching darkness. The walls pulsed faintly, as though
alive, and whispered voices echoed around them, growing louder with every turn.
“This
place feels… wrong,” Mira said, her voice trembling slightly.
“It’s
like the darkness is watching us,” Kiran muttered, his hand resting on the hilt
of the small blade he carried.
Rhea held
her shard tightly, trying to focus on the faint warmth it provided. “Stay
close. The Guardians said to trust the light—and each other.”
The
whispers grew louder, forming words that teased the edges of their minds. At
first, they were unintelligible, but soon they became clearer.
“Why
did you come here?” the voices murmured. “You are unworthy. You will
fail.”
Rhea
shook her head, trying to block out the sound. “It’s trying to get in our
heads. Don’t listen to it.”
But even
as she spoke, the whispers shifted, taking on familiar tones. Mira heard the
voice of her childhood mentor, disappointed and cold. Kiran heard his father’s
booming voice, accusing him of being weak. And Rhea… she heard her own voice,
doubting her choices, mocking her courage.
