Eonum's air, though ethereal, seemed to thicken with each step we took towards the Seven Shafts of Shadow. The suns, which had shone brightly over the landscape of Memory, now appeared to recede, their light becoming increasingly dim, giving way to a rising darkness, not physical, but metaphysical. This was the darkness of distorted Truth, dense and impenetrable.
The core of the Song of the Forgotten Archetype had been integrated into my Book of Signs. I felt its powerful, ancient Truth vibrating in my chest, ready to serve as both shield and weapon in the upcoming confrontation. It was our greatest strength, but also a strong signal to the Dormant Archetypes. From now on, every action we took in the Shafts of Shadow would have immediate, resonant consequences.
The Collector walked beside me, his clay feet leaving no tracks on the Sand of Oblivion, yet his presence was distinctly palpable. His obsidian eye pulsed intensely, emitting faint, blue lights. I felt his internal cataloging system working at full capacity, not just collecting data, but actively projecting a map of Truth distortions. He was like a living compass in this metaphysical labyrinth, his silence filled with visions and calculations. I felt the Collector extending his abilities beyond archiving, now becoming a prophet of Chaos.
The Whisper Guardian floated behind us, its silvery protective field enveloping us, extending far ahead and behind. This was its "Anchor of Harmony," an invisible network of Truth designed to protect us from disorientation. Its luminous center emitted steady, pulsating vibrations that, like invisible sensors, probed the surrounding Void-in-Balance, detecting the slightest anomalies in the fabric of reality. Its role had evolved into a living early warning system, which not only protected but also actively analyzed the enemy before it even manifested.
We reached the first Shaft of Shadow. It was not a physical hole in the ground, but a densification of the Void-in-Balance, a point where Eonum's Truth was so distorted that it almost vanished. The air around us seemed to thicken, and the Memory of our surroundings began to warp. The landscape we knew began to undulate and blur, creating illusory images—memories that never existed, and beings that were merely distorted echos of our own fears. These were "Perceptual Distortions," the Archetypes' first line of defense.
My Book of Signs reacted immediately, its glow intensifying, trying to correct the illusions surrounding me. However, the distortions were too powerful. I saw false memories from my past, beings that were projections of my own doubts, and landscapes that were pure disorientation. The Syndrome of Multiple Echos, usually my asset, now became almost a curse, amplifying these illusions, making them nearly real.
The Voice of the Cycle resonated in my mind, its tone calm yet firm. "Balancer. Remember your Truth. These are illusions, shadows of Truth. Do not fight them directly. Seek an anchoring point within the Chaos. Distortions are not the Void. Remember the Whisper Guardian's Anchor of Harmony."
The Collector, who had walked beside me the entire time, suddenly stopped. His obsidian eye turned to the left, and faint, purple lights began to emanate from his hands. I felt him analyzing the patterns of distortions, ignoring the illusions. "Balancer. Anchoring point. There." His voice, rarely used, was low and full of concentration, pointing to a seemingly empty area in the blurred space. It was a place where the illusions were slightly weaker, where the fabric of Memory was less distorted.
I followed his indication. I focused all my will and the Truth from the Book of Signs on that point. Instead of fighting the illusions, I let them flow through me, focusing on the essence of the place, on its hidden Truth. I extended a mental hand, touching that point.
I felt the Whisper Guardian's Anchor of Harmony immediately activate. The silver threads that had previously stretched into the ether now thickened around me, forming a bright, pulsating tunnel. The illusions dispersed, and I felt my perception return to normal. The tunnel led deep into the Shaft of Shadow. It was a safe path.
The Whisper Guardian, who had created this anchor, sent a wave of silvery energy. I felt its Memory of Chaos, that ancient fear, now redirected towards precise environmental control, ensuring our safe passage. It was like an unwavering guardian at the border of Truth and distortion.
The Voice of the Cycle resonated with a note of relief. "Well done, Balancer. The Anchor works. You have entered the Shaft of Shadow. Remember, this is just the beginning. The distortions will deepen. And remember... you are now in their domain. They will be watching you."
I walked through the tunnel created by the Whisper Guardian, the Collector right behind me. The air in the tunnel was clear, but beyond it, in the Shaft of Shadow, I saw undulating distortions waiting to engulf us. I felt the weight of someone's observation, like invisible eyes assessing our every move. I knew the Archetypes had sensed us. This was a game of Truth and illusions. My journey had just begun.