Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Echoes of the Past

The deeper they ventured into the Temple of Ashes, the heavier the air became. The ancient walls seemed to pulse with an unseen energy, and whispers echoed through the halls. They weren’t words—just a haunting, indistinct murmur that made Aldric’s grip on his sword tighten.

Selene paused, her eyes scanning the runes carved into the walls. Her fingers traced one symbol in particular—a jagged line encircling a crescent moon.

"This isn’t just a temple," she said, her voice soft.

Aldric stepped closer. "What do you mean?"

"It’s a conduit," Selene replied, her expression grave. "Whoever built this place wasn’t just practicing the old ways—they were trying to amplify their magic. The corruption we’ve seen? It’s tied to this."

"Amplify it how?" Aldric asked.

Selene shook her head. "I don’t know yet. But I do know one thing: this place isn’t abandoned. Malrik’s been here recently. I can feel it."

A Hall of Memories

They entered a large chamber, its walls lined with faded tapestries depicting scenes of rituals, battles, and destruction. At the center of the room stood a massive stone pedestal, its surface etched with the same runes that decorated the walls.

Selene approached the pedestal cautiously, her hand hovering over the carvings. "These runes… they’re designed to hold energy. This is where Malrik would have drawn power."

Aldric kept his distance, his eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger. "And how do we stop it?"

Selene’s brow furrowed. "If I disrupt the runes, it should sever the connection to the corruption. But whatever energy is stored here will lash out. It won’t be easy."

"Nothing ever is," Aldric said, moving to stand beside her.

Selene glanced at him, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. "Then let’s get to work."

She began chanting softly, her hands glowing as she traced the runes on the pedestal. The air grew colder, and the whispers in the temple grew louder, as though the building itself was protesting her actions.

Suddenly, the ground trembled, and a burst of dark energy erupted from the pedestal. Selene staggered, her concentration breaking.

"Selene!" Aldric shouted, catching her before she fell.

"I’m fine," she said, though her voice was shaky. "The runes are fighting back. I need more time."

Before Aldric could respond, a figure stepped out of the shadows at the far end of the chamber.

"Always meddling where you don’t belong," Malrik said, their voice echoing off the walls.

A Confrontation Renewed

Aldric moved to place himself between Selene and the sorcerer, his sword at the ready. "You’ve run out of places to hide, Malrik."

Malrik chuckled darkly. "Hide? Oh, hunter, you misunderstand. This temple is my domain. You’ve walked willingly into the lion’s den."

"Your ‘domain’ is crumbling," Selene said, regaining her footing. "We’ll destroy this place and everything you’ve built."

Malrik’s eyes glowed with a sickly green light. "You’re welcome to try."

The sorcerer raised their hands, and the air filled with swirling shadows. Creatures began to materialize—horrific amalgamations of bone and darkness that snarled as they charged toward Selene and Aldric.

Aldric didn’t hesitate, meeting the creatures head-on. His sword cut through the shadowy forms, but for every one he destroyed, two more appeared.

Selene focused on the pedestal, chanting louder as she worked to complete the disruption spell. The runes pulsed violently, and cracks began to form in the stone.

"Selene, whatever you’re doing, do it faster!" Aldric shouted, barely dodging a clawed swipe from one of the creatures.

"I’m trying!" Selene replied, her voice strained.

Malrik watched from the edge of the room, their expression smug. "You’re outmatched, little witch. Give up, and I might spare your lives."

"Not a chance," Selene snapped, pouring more energy into her spell.

Breaking the Connection

As the runes on the pedestal began to shatter, the creatures attacking Aldric faltered. They screeched and writhed, their forms flickering like dying flames.

Malrik’s smirk disappeared. "What are you doing?" they demanded, their voice laced with anger.

"Ending this," Selene replied.

With a final surge of magic, the pedestal exploded, sending shards of stone flying across the chamber. The creatures dissolved into nothingness, and the oppressive energy in the air vanished.

Malrik staggered, their form flickering like a shadow in the wind. "You think this will stop me?" they hissed. "You’ve only delayed the inevitable."

Before Aldric could reach them, Malrik dissolved into a cloud of shadows and disappeared.

Aftermath

The silence that followed was deafening. Selene slumped to the ground, her strength spent. Aldric knelt beside her, checking for injuries.

"You did it," he said, his voice filled with relief.

"For now," Selene replied, her tone weary. "But Malrik is still out there. And they won’t stop until they’ve completed whatever they’re planning."

"Then we’ll stop them," Aldric said, his determination unwavering.

Selene looked at him, her exhaustion giving way to a faint smile. "We make a good team, don’t we?"

Aldric chuckled. "The best."

Though the connection to the temple has been severed, Malrik’s power remains a looming threat. As Selene and Aldric prepare for the next stage of their journey, they know the battle ahead will test not only their strength but the bond that has grown between them.

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