The Ashen Expanse stretched out before Kael Thorn and Liana Sevier like a wasteland consumed by despair. The harsh wind carried whispers, an unrelenting reminder of the dangers that lay ahead. Kael tightened the straps of his cloak, his sharp gaze fixed on the horizon where the Obelisk of Storms loomed like a defiant monolith against the raging tempests.
For Kael, this was more than a journey. It was a chance to claim the impossible, to unravel mysteries that had eluded mankind for centuries. But even his unyielding ambition couldn't suppress the unease gnawing at the edges of his thoughts. The shard's whispers lingered in his mind, their cryptic words a puzzle he couldn't yet decipher.
Behind him, Liana adjusted her gear, her face set with grim determination. "You keep staring at it," she said, her voice cutting through the wind. "Like it's about to come alive and attack you."
Kael's lips curled into a faint smirk. "If it does, I'll consider it a fair warning."
"Great," she muttered, brushing ash from her shoulders. "Because nothing says 'good plan' like chasing after a living nightmare."
Kael's confidence was unshaken. "This isn't just a nightmare. It's a challenge. And challenges are meant to be conquered."
Liana rolled her eyes but didn't argue. She knew Kael well enough to understand that his mind was already set. The Obelisk wasn't just another ruin—it was a threshold, a gateway to unimaginable power.
The Obelisk Comes to Life
As they approached, the storm intensified. Lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the towering obelisk. Its surface shimmered like obsidian, etched with ancient symbols that pulsed faintly, resonating with an energy Kael felt in his chest.
"Whatever built this wasn't human," Liana muttered, her voice barely audible over the gale.
Kael ran his fingers along the cold stone, his heart racing with exhilaration. "The Eternals weren't bound by human limitations. That's what made them great—and what destroyed them."
Liana frowned. "And you think you're different?"
Kael's smirk widened. "I'm smarter."
Before Liana could retort, Kael's fingers brushed against a set of symbols. The markings began to glow brighter, their light spreading across the surface like veins filled with molten silver. The *air vibrated* , and the storm around them seemed to *pause* , as if holding its breath.
Kael stepped back, his eyes alight with curiosity and awe. "It's responding to me."
"More like it's deciding whether to kill you," Liana muttered.
With a sudden rumble, the stone began to shift. A seam opened in the obelisk's surface, revealing a narrow passageway lined with glowing veins of energy. The temperature dropped sharply, and the static in the air was almost suffocating.
Kael turned to Liana, his excitement barely contained. "Ready?"
Liana raised an eyebrow. "As ready as I'll ever be to get electrocuted in a creepy ruin."
Kael stepped forward, his mind already racing with possibilities. If the first shard had been hidden in a forgotten temple, what wonders—and horrors—awaited them inside the obelisk?
The Passage of Storms
The interior of the obelisk was unlike anything Kael had seen. The walls were smooth, dark stone interwoven with veins of glowing energy that crackled faintly, casting eerie reflections that seemed to move independently of the light. Symbols inscribed on the walls shifted and rearranged themselves as Kael and Liana moved deeper inside, as if reacting to their presence.
Kael ran his fingers over the markings, his mind working furiously to decipher them. "This place is alive," he murmured, more to himself than to Liana.
"Alive and probably hungry," she muttered, keeping a wary eye on the shifting shadows.
Kael ignored her sarcasm, his focus entirely on the symbols. The language of the Eternals was a complex blend of imagery and intent, and while he had studied it extensively, there was still much he didn't understand.
As they ventured deeper, the passage narrowed, and the hum of energy grew louder. Kael could feel the shard in his pack pulsing, resonating with the energy around them. He stopped abruptly, his breath hitching.
Liana stepped beside him, her hand instinctively resting on the hilt of her blade. "What is it?"
Kael pointed ahead, his voice low. "We're not alone."
At the end of the passage, a figure emerged—a construct of pure storm energy, its form shifting like liquid lightning. Its glowing eyes locked onto Kael, and the passage trembled.
"Well, this just got interesting," Liana muttered, drawing her blade.
Kael's smirk returned, but this time it was tinged with adrenaline. "Let's see how well the Eternals test their intruders."