Chapter 46: The Obsidian Throne
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The obsidian throne stands before me, an imposing reminder of the chaos I've just survived. My body aches, every muscle crying out in protest. A hundred years of battles, endless respawns, and here I am—standing before this throne, bathed in the dim, fragile light filtering through the shattered ceiling.
But it's not the throne that holds my attention. No, it's what lies next to it.
A book.
A simple book. Nothing ornate or fancy. Just resting on a pedestal as if it's been waiting for me all this time.
I approach it slowly, the weight of exhaustion in my steps. My hand reaches out instinctively, brushing the cool leather of the cover. The moment my fingers make contact, a flash of images slams into my mind.
A city street... People walking by, the hum of life. A warm glow... The familiar feel of a home I haven't seen in so long. A field of wildflowers, their colors vibrant and alive.
I gasp, pulling my hand back.
"What... was that?" I mutter to myself, heart racing. These images—they don't feel like memories. They feel like… pieces of something I'm supposed to understand. A map? A clue?
I turn the book over, my mind still racing with the fleeting visions. The leather is old, yet it doesn't feel decayed. It's almost… too well-preserved for this place.
"What is this?" I whisper.
Without thinking, I open the book. The pages are thick, ancient. A strange scent rises—paper mixed with something electric, almost like ozone. The symbols on the pages are completely foreign to me, but they pull at my mind. The words vibrate with an energy that feels alive.
"What's this?"
My voice cracks as I turn a page. Diagrams of bizarre rituals, symbols too intricate for me to immediately comprehend, and text in a language that is both alien and familiar. It's like the words are speaking directly to me.
"Why does this feel so... familiar?" I mutter again, flipping through the pages. Every page holds something new, some new key. Strength. Power. Techniques to break the limits of my body and mind.
It's too much, too overwhelming. My thoughts start to race as the implications of what's in front of me sink in.
"This... this is power. This is my way out."
I tighten my grip on the book. The way out. It's almost too good to be true.
But then... a voice. A whisper that isn't mine.
"Are you ready?"
I freeze. My pulse quickens, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. The voice comes from nowhere and everywhere at once.
"Who's there?" I growl, scanning the empty chamber. There's nothing but the throne and the book. The air feels heavy, like something is watching.
"Are you ready?" The voice repeats, calm and unwavering.
I narrow my eyes, glancing at the empty stone walls. "Ready for what?" I ask, my voice sharp with irritation.
"To unlock the power. To wield it." The voice has an edge now, almost mocking. "You're standing before the key to your future. But first… you must learn to control it."
Control it?
I scoff. "I don't need your guidance. I've fought through Hell itself to get here. I can handle this."
"Can you?" The voice laughs softly, like it's a joke. "You've barely scratched the surface, mortal. You may have fought demons and endured their endless onslaught, but do you truly think you can master what lies within these pages without… guidance?"
The words hit me harder than I want to admit. A sharp, biting truth.
I grip the book tighter. "Then show me," I demand. "I'm ready."
The voice chuckles again, this time more amused. "Show you? I am but a reflection of what you will become. The question is, are you prepared to walk the path ahead?"
I grit my teeth, eyes narrowing as I scan the room once more. I feel it now—a presence, watching me, waiting. It's suffocating.
"I've already walked this far," I mutter under my breath. "I'm not stopping now."
"No, you're not. But the real challenge lies ahead." The voice grows more insistent. "The power you seek will demand everything from you. Your mind, your soul, your very will. This is not a path of mere strength; it is one of sacrifice."
Sacrifice.
The word hangs in the air, heavy with meaning. My heart skips a beat as I slowly realize what that might entail. The cost of this power. What will I have to give up?
"What… do you mean by sacrifice?" I ask, my voice quieter now, the weight of the realization sinking in.
"You'll see. But first, you must decide. Will you take the power that is offered, or will you falter?" The voice fades slightly, its presence still looming. "The book is only the beginning. You must earn the right to wield it."
I stare at the book in my hands, the pages filled with untold secrets and unimaginable power. A path lies before me, but it's not an easy one.
"I'll walk it," I say firmly, gripping the book tighter. "I'll earn it. No matter the cost."
The room seems to vibrate with the force of my words. For a moment, everything falls silent. The presence, the voice, it all fades away, leaving me alone with my thoughts—and the book.
A sense of purpose settles in my chest. This is the moment everything changes. No more running. No more surviving. I will master this power. I will break the chains of Hell and return to Earth.
I turn back to the pages, my resolve unwavering. "Let's begin."