Emerging from the Labyrinth and the Secret of the Nine Stones
After the red and gold light fused with the obsidian diamond sword, the Ruby Stone chamber trembled violently. Lesendra gripped the sword, now glowing with a steady red-gold hue, perfectly fused with his golden hand. Seira stood by his side, her eyes glistening with relief and awe.
Eryvan gazed at them with his golden, glowing eye. "You've passed this trial. The first Ruby Stone has merged with your sword, Lesendra. But remember… this is only the first step."
Lesendra turned, his breath still heavy. "First step? What do you mean?"
Eryvan let out a deep sigh, his face suddenly shadowed. "That sword is more than just a weapon. It's a seal—a seal for a power scattered across all of Mythra. The Ruby Stone you've obtained is just one of the nine Ruby Stones you need to unite. Without them all, your sword will never reach its true potential."
Seira's eyes widened in shock, glancing at Lesendra. "Nine? That means… our journey has only just begun…"
Eryvan nodded slowly. "Each Ruby Stone represents an aspect of power and sacrifice. Red for courage, blue for wisdom, gold for honor, green for life, black for death, white for purity, purple for mystery, silver for eternity, and orange for determination. You must gather them all, Lesendra. Only then can you unlock the sword's full power and truly challenge the Throne of Darkness."
Lesendra gripped his sword tightly, his eyes blazing with newfound determination. "I'll gather them all. I won't let this world be stolen by the gods."
Eryvan patted his shoulder, then slowly walked toward the labyrinth's exit, his staff glowing faintly. "And remember, this journey isn't just about power. It's about who you are, and how deeply you're willing to make peace with your pain and sacrifice. Mythra isn't just a battlefield… it's a mirror for your hearts."
They walked out of the Vermilion Hell Labyrinth, leaving behind the whispers and shadows that were beginning to fade. Outside, the sky over Mythra was turning red, heralding a new dawn, as if greeting those who had returned from the abyss of darkness. A cold wind swept across their faces, carrying the scent of dust and lingering fire in the city.
Seira looked at Lesendra with eyes full of resolve. "So… we're going to collect all nine Ruby Stones. Together."
Lesendra looked deeply into her eyes, the sword in his hand reflecting red and gold hues. "Together. Until the end."
Eryvan stood behind them, smiling faintly, his gaze fixed on Mythra's sky, which was beginning to glow crimson. "Your journey has only just begun. And the gods are already waiting."
The footsteps of Lesendra, Seira, and Eryvan echoed across the scorched ground of Mythra as they emerged from the Vermilion Hell Labyrinth. The sky shone with the colors of dawn splitting the darkness, but before them, it wasn't just the sunlight that greeted them—it was the shadow of a fully armed force.
Out of the thin mist and ruins near the labyrinth's entrance, Kael'Var appeared, standing tall with his massive black spear in hand, his body clad in gleaming black armor. Behind him, the elite forces of the Throne of Darkness formed tight ranks, armed with swords, spears, and shields that radiated dark light.
"Welcome back, traitors," Kael'Var hissed, his deep voice echoing. "Did you think you could hide in the labyrinth forever? Mythra belongs to the gods. And you… will die here."
Seira quickly raised her bow, her eyes burning with fury. "Lesendra, get ready! They're coming!"
Lesendra gripped the obsidian diamond sword, now glowing steadily with red-gold light, his eyes radiating determination. "If they want to challenge me, I won't back down."
Eryvan stood behind them, raising his black staff, shimmering red. "Don't be reckless. Kael'Var isn't an ordinary foe. His forces are ready to cut us to pieces."
The god's forces slowly encircled them, forming a ring that closed off all escape routes. Kael'Var stepped forward, his spear pointed at Lesendra's chest. "Hand over your sword. Or I'll destroy you here and now."
Lesendra clenched his golden hand, now perfectly fused with the sword. "If you want this sword… take it from my hands."
Suddenly, Kael'Var swung his spear, creating a wave of dark energy that shattered the ground, sending debris flying. Seira shot an arrow at the elite soldiers, taking down two of them, but there were too many.
Lesendra swung his red-gold sword, creating a wave of light that blocked Kael'Var's attack, but his body was thrown back, staggering. "He's… stronger than before…" he muttered.
Eryvan watched them, his eyes shining. "We can't win here. You must retreat. I'll hold them off!"
Seira gasped. "No! You'll die!"
Eryvan gave a faint smile. "If I must die… I'll die giving you a chance to finish what's been started. Go, now!"
Kael'Var slammed his spear into the ground, cracking it around them. Eryvan swung his staff, creating a barrier of red energy that held the forces back for a moment. "Go!" he shouted.
Lesendra looked at Seira, then nodded. "We'll come back, Eryvan. We promise!"
Seira pulled Lesendra back, slipping through a narrow gap in the ruins, running as fast as they could, while Eryvan stood tall facing Kael'Var's raging forces. The red and gold glow of Lesendra's sword continued to shine in the distance, signifying that though this ambush nearly destroyed them, hope still blazed.
Thick dust hung in the air as Lesendra and Seira ran through the rubble, leaving Eryvan behind to fight Kael'Var's forces alone. The red and gold glow from Lesendra's sword continued to shine, reflecting light off the dark stone walls, marking their path through the darkness.
Seira led Lesendra into a narrow corridor wedged between massive fallen stones. "Come on! They're still after us!" she shouted, her breath ragged. Behind them, the heavy footsteps of the gods' soldiers echoed, mixed with shouts and the clash of weapons.
Lesendra swung his sword, clearing a path through a partially collapsed wall, creating a small gap just wide enough for them to slip through. "You go first!" he called to Seira.
Seira slipped through the opening, then reached back to pull Lesendra through as he nearly got stuck. They continued running down the crumbling corridor, hearing explosions and the cracking of earth behind them.
"Eryvan… he…" Seira whispered, her voice trembling, eyes glistening with tears.
Lesendra met her gaze, his breathing labored. "He chose that path. We can't waste his sacrifice."
At last, they reached the ruins of an old warehouse on the edge of Mythra, hidden beneath debris untouched by the gods' forces. Their breaths came in heaving gasps, their bodies bruised and coated in dust. Seira collapsed onto the stone floor, clutching her aching chest. "We… made it…"
Lesendra stood beside her, gazing down at his sword, now glowing steadily with red and gold light—proof that the first Ruby Stone had merged. But his eyes were hollow, filled with anger, grief, and determination. "No. We only survived today. They'll keep hunting us. But we won't stop here."
Seira looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "What are we going to do?"
Lesendra clenched his sword, turning his gaze toward the burning remnants of Mythra in the distance. "We'll gather whatever strength we have left. We'll search for the next Ruby Stone. And we'll make them regret ever chasing us."
Seira slowly rose to her feet, her body trembling but her eyes now shining with newfound resolve. "Together."
Lesendra nodded, the sword in his hand pulsing, as if in response to their bond. "Together."
In the distance, the sky over Mythra began to darken, heavy with threatening black clouds. But in a small, forgotten corner of the city, two tiny flames had reignited—ready to spark a new, even greater rebellion.