Chapter 20: The Price of Shadows
Eryx stood at the center of the temple, the shadows still swirling around him like a living cloak. His heart raced with the thrill of his new power, yet a lingering unease tugged at his mind. The guardian’s warning echoed in his thoughts: the darkness would demand a price.
“What exactly does that mean?” Finn asked, rubbing the back of his neck as he joined Eryx, still trying to shake off the remnants of their recent ordeal. “You know, aside from giving up snacks for a month or something?”
Kaelen rolled her eyes, though a smirk played at her lips. “I doubt the shadows care about your snack habits, Finn. More likely, they want something more… personal.”
“Great. Just great.” Finn grimaced. “This is why I prefer the light. At least you know what you’re getting with sunlight—like sunburns, and awkward tan lines. But shadows? Who knows? I could end up with an existential crisis!”
“Just focus, Finn,” Eryx said, glancing at the guardian, who stood silently observing. “We need to figure out what this price is before we go any further.”
Lysandra stepped closer, her expression serious yet playful. “A price is always paid, dear Eryx. Power does not come without its burdens.” She tilted her head, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall of ink. “What are you willing to sacrifice for strength?”
Before Eryx could respond, the shadows around him coalesced into a figure—a wraith-like entity with glowing red eyes. The creature’s presence was suffocating, a palpable weight that pressed against his chest.
“The price is clear,” it hissed, its voice echoing like distant thunder. “You must surrender a piece of your essence. A memory. A moment of your past that you cherish. Only then will the shadows accept you fully.”
“Wait, what?” Finn interjected, his face paling. “A memory? Like my childhood? Because let me tell you, it was mostly just awkward moments and a lot of ice cream. You can’t take that away!”
Eryx’s heart sank. A memory? He had so many—each one a part of what made him who he was. “What if I refuse?” he asked, his voice steady despite the uncertainty clawing at him.
The wraith laughed, a sound like brittle leaves in a storm. “Refusal will leave you unbound, powerless against the forces that will seek you out. You will become a shadow of yourself, wandering the darkness without purpose.”
Eryx felt the weight of the choice pressing down on him. He thought of his family, his friends, the moments that had shaped him. But as he gazed at the wraith, he felt something shift within him. Wasn’t the pursuit of power worth this sacrifice?
“I… I’ll do it,” he said, forcing the words out despite the lump in his throat. “I’ll sacrifice a memory.”
Kaelen stepped closer, concern etched on her face. “Eryx, are you sure? You don’t have to rush into this.”
“I know,” Eryx replied, feeling a mix of determination and dread. “But if this is what I need to protect all of you… then I’ll do it.”
Lysandra watched him with a blend of admiration and something deeper—something that felt charged with emotion, yet remained unspoken. “Then think of a memory, and it will be drawn from you. But remember, once it’s gone, it cannot be reclaimed.”
Eryx closed his eyes, searching his mind for the right moment to relinquish. He focused on the happiest memory he could conjure—the day he first met Kaelen and Finn. The laughter, the camaraderie, the thrill of adventure beginning. But just as he was about to grasp it fully, another memory slipped into his mind: the day he lost his father, the grief that had shaped him.
“No,” he thought fiercely. “Not that one.”
Instead, he settled on a simpler memory—the first time he and Finn had dared each other to jump off a cliff into the ocean, the exhilaration of the plunge and the laughter that followed. He remembered the sun shining, the sound of the waves crashing, the freedom of that moment.
“Done,” Eryx said, determination in his voice. He opened his eyes to find the wraith hovering before him, waiting.
With a deep breath, Eryx spoke the memory aloud. “I sacrifice the day I jumped off the cliff with Finn. The thrill, the laughter, the joy of that moment.”
The wraith’s eyes flared, and the shadows around Eryx surged, wrapping around him tighter. A sharp pain shot through him, a sensation like a thread being pulled from his very essence. He gasped, clenching his fists as the world around him began to shimmer and fade.
“Eryx!” Finn shouted, panic creeping into his voice.
“Hold on!” Eryx grunted, feeling as if his very soul was being stretched thin. “It’s… it’s fine. Just—”
In an instant, the pain vanished, replaced by an overwhelming sense of loss. The memory felt distant, as if it belonged to someone else. He blinked, looking around, only to find the wraith had retreated into the shadows, satisfied with its toll.
The chamber was silent for a moment. Then, Finn stepped forward, his face a mixture of concern and confusion. “Did you… did it work?”
Eryx nodded, though it felt like a part of him was missing. “Yeah… I think so.”
“Are you sure?” Kaelen asked softly, stepping closer. “You don’t look so good.”
“Yeah, well, I just gave away one of my favorite memories,” he replied, forcing a grin, though it felt hollow. “I’ll be fine. Just need to find some snacks or something.”
“Again with the snacks!” Finn exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. “Can’t we ever have a serious moment without you mentioning food?”
“I’m sorry, but food is always serious business!” Eryx shot back, chuckling despite himself. “Especially when we’re probably going to face a horde of monsters again soon.”
Lysandra crossed her arms, a sly smile on her lips. “I think it’s admirable, really. Turning a dark moment into a lighthearted joke. It’s refreshing.”
Eryx felt a warmth spread through him at her compliment, even as the shadows continued to dance around them. “Well, humor is how I cope. That, and snacks.”
“Let’s get out of here,” Kaelen said, looking around the chamber. “If we’re going to face whatever comes next, we need to be ready.”
“Right.” Eryx took a deep breath, gathering his resolve. “Let’s go kick some shadow butt.”
As they moved toward the exit, Eryx couldn’t shake the feeling of loss that lingered within him. He would miss the joy of that day on the cliff, the laughter shared with his friends. But as he glanced at Lysandra and the others, he realized that new memories were waiting to be made.
“Hey,” he said, catching Lysandra’s eye. “Let’s make this next adventure one for the books. We’ll create new memories together.”
She smiled, her expression brightening. “I’d like that.”
As they exited the chamber, the shadows trailing behind them, Eryx couldn’t help but feel a flicker of hope. The journey ahead would be challenging, but with his friends by his side and the power of the shadows at his command, he felt ready to face whatever awaited.
