The Temple, now devoid of the Temple Guardian's presence, felt eerie in its stillness. The echoes of the battle still lingered in the air, the walls of the once-holy place now scorched and crumbled from the previous combat. Kael stood at the entrance, holding the Ancient Seal of Tharemon in his hand, his mind racing with possibilities.
"Looks like this is it," Kael muttered. The [Phylactery of the Fallen] and the [Guardian's Heart] had already been added to his inventory, but the Seal… this was the key to unlocking further mysteries.
"I knew it wouldn't be that easy," he continued, his gaze narrowing on the towering obelisk at the far side of the room. The Seal pulsed in his hand, the ancient engravings etched into its surface glimmering faintly in the dim light.
Nira stepped up beside him, her expression one of curiosity and anticipation. "What do you think it does?"
Kael hesitated for a moment, considering his options. "If the system is telling the truth, this Seal might unlock something far bigger than just this Temple. It could lead to knowledge about the original System or even new abilities for us."
She nodded in agreement. "Then let's not waste time."
Kael raised the Seal, and a wave of energy emanated from it, causing the ground beneath them to shake. The massive obelisk before them began to glow with a deep violet light, and ancient runes, hidden from view for centuries, appeared across the walls. They swirled together, forming a doorway that led deeper into the Temple.
As Kael stepped forward, the doorway expanded, revealing a vast underground chamber. The air was thick with the scent of ancient magic, and faint whispers filled the room. It was as though the souls of those long gone were watching them.
Nira followed closely behind, her Tempest Revenant hovering protectively by her side. The entire room was bathed in eerie twilight, illuminated by strange floating lights that seemed to pulse in rhythm with the Seals Kael held. The temperature dropped as they descended further, and soon the only sound was the soft echo of their footsteps on the stone floor.
"What is this place?" Nira whispered.
"This was the core of Tharemon's power," Kael said, his voice low and steady. "I've read about places like this. It's a forgotten sanctum—used to store knowledge, secrets… perhaps even the first of the Supreme Lords. And by activating that Seal, we may have just opened the door to something far more dangerous."
The deeper they traveled, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The walls, carved from dark stone, were covered with shifting, spectral images—visions of battles, kings, and strange beasts Kael had never seen before. At the center of the chamber was a massive altar, and beneath it lay an enormous stone sarcophagus.
The stone lid shifted slightly as Kael approached, ancient energy stirring in the air.
"Be ready," Kael warned, his hand tightening around his staff. "Whatever comes next, we can handle it. But we must be prepared."
Nira nodded, her eyes steely as her Voltshade Revenant crackled with electricity. "Let's do this."
With a firm motion, Kael pushed the Seal forward, activating it once again. The altar responded by rumbling, and the lid of the sarcophagus slowly slid open with an eerie groan.
[System Alert: Quest Update – The Tomb of Echoes Awaits]Objective:
Enter the Tomb of Echoes to uncover the secrets of the Supreme Lords.
Prepare for the trial ahead.
Be wary of the dangers lurking within.
From within the sarcophagus, a dark figure rose slowly. It was humanoid in shape but wreathed in shadow, its body covered in jagged armor that seemed to be forged from pure darkness. Its eyes glowed with an unsettling violet light, matching the glow of the Seal Kael held.
"Who dares awaken me?" The figure's voice echoed through the room, its tone deep and ancient.
Kael stepped forward, raising his staff to assert control over the situation. "I am Kael, Lord of the Desert. We seek knowledge and the strength to overcome the challenges ahead."
The figure's eyes flashed as it studied him. "You are bold. And yet, you have no idea what you've disturbed."
A voice—distant but clear—spoke within Kael's mind. [System Alert: Supreme Lord Echo Awakened.]
The shadowy figure gestured with its hand, and suddenly the room was bathed in a powerful energy. The whispers grew louder, swirling around them like a storm of ancient voices.
"Welcome to your trial," the figure intoned. "To unlock the true potential of the Supreme Lords, you must prove yourselves worthy. Fail, and you will be lost to the void. Succeed, and you will inherit the power of the ancient ones."
Without warning, the ground beneath their feet cracked open, and a massive rift appeared, separating Kael and his group. The Temple Guardian had been a warm-up—this was where the real challenge began.
Nira quickly spoke to Kael over the distance. "What do we do now?"
Kael closed his eyes, assessing the situation. The system was silent, but the energy of the Seal remained steady in his hand.
[System Alert: New Quest – The Trial of Tharemon]Objective:
Survive the Trial of Tharemon.
Defeat the Echo Lord's trials to gain the power of the Supreme Lords.
Protect your allies and maintain control of the Seal.
Failure will result in being cast into the Void of Forgotten Souls.
The figure's voice echoed once more. "Let the trial begin."
The rift in the ground split even wider, and from it, dark entities emerged. They were wraith-like beings, twisted by the energies of the forgotten gods. Kael could feel the weight of their presence. These were not ordinary enemies—they were echoes of the past, warriors who had failed the trial centuries ago.
Kael's heart raced as he summoned his Soul Warden, using the [Cursed Spirits] around him to build up his defensive ranks. Nira called upon her Tempest Revenant, her fusion unleashing a torrential storm of lightning to disrupt the wraiths' attacks.
The battle was intense, with the enemies overwhelming them in number. For every wraith they killed, another emerged from the rift.
Kael's focus was razor-sharp as he fought. He could feel the weight of this trial bearing down on him, but the power of the Seal resonated in his veins, urging him on.
[System Alert: New Sub-Quest Unlocked – Defeat the Echoes]Objective:
Defeat the wraiths and close the rift.
Protect Nira and your allies at all costs.
Survive the Echo Lord's trial.
Kael and his group battled on, knowing that the trial would push them beyond their limits. They had no choice but to survive if they were to unlock the power of the Supreme Lords.