The air beneath the Abyss grew heavier, pressing on Ella's chest as if the shadows themselves were alive. The stairway behind them was gone—swallowed by mist. The only path left was forward.
Maeve lifted her staff, and a dim, golden glow spread across the rough stone walls. Lyra walked close beside Ella, her face pale but determined.
"How deep do you think it goes?" Lyra asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Maeve's eyes scanned the darkness. "Deeper than memory. The Abyss was never meant to be walked by mortals."
Ella touched the Heartstone, which still pulsed faintly in her hand. "Then it's a good thing I'm not just a mortal anymore."
They continued forward until the tunnel widened into a vast underground hall. Huge pillars rose into the gloom, each carved with symbols that pulsed faintly like beating hearts. Between the pillars were pools of still, black water that reflected the light in strange, twisted ways.
Lyra stopped at one of the pools and frowned. "Look… it's showing something."
They all peered into the water. Ripples formed, and then images appeared—figures moving through a battlefield, a burning city, and a woman standing alone on a cliff, her eyes glowing gold.
Ella gasped. "That's my mother…"
Maeve nodded. "These are echoes—memories trapped by the Abyss. It feeds on emotion, especially sorrow."
The image shifted again. This time it showed a man standing beside Ella's mother, holding a sword made of pure light—the same one she'd seen in the crystal chamber. His face was shadowed, but his voice echoed clearly.
"Keep her safe," the man said. "She carries both our light."
Ella's heart clenched. "My father…"
The image rippled and faded before she could say more.
Maeve placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Some truths come only when the soul is ready."
Before Ella could answer, a low growl echoed through the chamber. The pools of water began to churn, glowing with sickly green light. From their depths, shapes began to rise—dark figures wearing broken armor, their eyes burning with hatred.
Lyra stumbled back. "What are those?"
Maeve's face hardened. "The Fallen—souls of warriors consumed by Malakar's power."
The first of the creatures lunged forward, swinging a jagged sword made of shadow. Ella reacted instantly, summoning a wave of light that threw it backward. But for every one that fell, two more rose.
"We can't fight them all!" Lyra cried.
Maeve slammed her staff into the ground, sending a burst of blue fire across the floor. "To the center! There's a seal—if we break it, we might cut off the Abyss's control!"
Ella nodded and ran, the Heartstone glowing brighter with every step. The creatures closed in from all sides, their claws scraping against the stone. One leapt at her, but Lyra raised her hands and shouted a spell she barely remembered—an arc of lightning struck the creature midair, turning it to smoke.
"Nice shot!" Ella shouted.
Lyra grinned shakily. "Guess I'm finally learning something!"
They reached the center of the hall, where an ancient stone altar stood covered in runes. The light of the Heartstone resonated with it, and the ground began to tremble.
Maeve chanted softly, tracing symbols in the air with her staff. "Ella—place the Heartstone here!"
Ella obeyed, setting it onto the altar. The runes burst to life with golden light, spinning around her in circles. The Fallen screamed, clutching their heads as the light intensified.
The air cracked like thunder. Then, all at once, silence.
When the light faded, the Fallen were gone. Only the sound of dripping water remained.
Lyra sank to the floor, breathing heavily. "That was… terrifying."
Maeve smiled faintly. "You did well, both of you."
Ella picked up the Heartstone again. Its glow was softer now, but deeper—like a heartbeat in her palm. "It's changing," she whispered. "It feels alive."
Maeve studied it carefully. "It's awakening to your bloodline. The deeper we go, the stronger your connection will grow."
Lyra frowned. "But what if it's too strong? What if she can't control it?"
Ella looked at her friend and smiled. "Then you'll have to stop me."
Lyra tried to smile back, but her eyes were worried. "You know I'd never hurt you."
"I know," Ella said softly. "That's why I trust you."
They rested for a while, sharing the last of their water and trying to regain their strength. The silence felt heavy, like the Abyss was listening.
After a long moment, Maeve stood. "We can't stop here. Malakar's power lies in the chamber below this one—the Sanctum of Shadows. That's where your answers wait."
Ella nodded. "Then that's where we go."
They followed a narrow passage that twisted downward like a serpent. The air grew warmer, almost suffocating. Strange symbols glowed faintly on the walls—warnings in a language older than time.
Lyra touched one of them and pulled her hand back quickly. "It's hot… like it's alive."
Maeve's face darkened. "It is alive. The Abyss is feeding on the remains of creation itself."
After what felt like hours, they stepped into another vast space—the Sanctum. It was a circular chamber with walls made of black glass, reflecting endless versions of themselves. At its center stood a throne carved from obsidian, and upon it sat a figure wrapped in dark robes.
Ella's heart stopped.
The figure's eyes opened—pale, silver, and ancient. "So… the child of light returns to the dark."
"Malakar," Maeve hissed.
He rose from the throne, his presence filling the room like a storm. "You've come far, little one. But light does not belong here."
Ella lifted the Heartstone. "Neither does you."
Malakar smiled faintly. "Brave words… from a child who does not yet know her curse."
He raised his hand, and the reflections in the glass walls began to move. In each reflection, Ella saw herself—but twisted. One version wore a crown of flames. Another's eyes were hollow. Another held Maeve's lifeless body.
Lyra gasped. "Ella—don't look!"
But it was too late. The images pulled at her, whispering lies, feeding on fear. Her knees buckled.
Maeve shouted a spell, throwing a barrier of light between Ella and the mirrors. "Focus on the real world, Ella! Don't let him in!"
Malakar laughed, his voice echoing through every surface. "She cannot hide from herself. She carries both light and shadow. It is her gift… and her doom."
Ella forced herself to stand. "You're wrong. My power isn't a curse—it's a choice!"
She raised the Heartstone high, and a wave of golden light burst outward, shattering the mirrored walls. The explosion sent shockwaves through the Sanctum. Malakar staggered back, his cloak flaring like wings of smoke.
Maeve seized the chance, chanting rapidly. "Ella—now!"
Ella focused all her strength, channeling her magic through the Heartstone. Beams of light shot toward Malakar, striking him again and again. The chamber trembled as his scream filled the air.
But just when it seemed like victory was near, darkness burst from Malakar's form, wrapping around the Heartstone like claws.
"You think light can destroy shadow?" he hissed. "Without me, there would be no you."
Ella struggled, her power flickering. The darkness began to crawl up her arms, seeping into her veins.
"Ella!" Lyra screamed. "Let go!"
But Ella shook her head. "No. I won't run again!"
Summoning the last of her strength, she focused on the memory of her mother's face, her father's sword, and Lyra's hand holding hers in the dark.
The light inside her exploded, blasting through the shadow's grip. Malakar was thrown backward, crashing into the throne.
When the light faded, Ella fell to her knees, the Heartstone dim but still alive. The air smelled of smoke and lightning. Malakar was gone—or so it seemed.
Maeve ran to her side. "Are you hurt?"
Ella shook her head weakly. "No… but he's not gone. I can feel him. He's still inside the Abyss."
Lyra knelt beside her. "Then we'll find him again. Together."
Ella managed a small smile. "Together."
Maeve looked at the faint cracks spreading across the walls. "We need to leave. The Abyss is collapsing."
As they turned to go, Ella looked back at the throne. For a moment, she saw something shimmer—a shadow watching her with familiar eyes. Her father's eyes.
She froze. "Father…?"
But the vision faded before she could move.
Lyra tugged her arm. "Ella, come on!"
They ran toward the collapsing passage, the ground shaking beneath them. Stones fell, dust filled the air, but they didn't stop. Not until they reached the mouth of the tunnel, where faint daylight glimmered above.
They climbed out of the Abyss just as the earth below caved in, sealing it once more.
For a long moment, they stood in silence, breathing the cool morning air. The sun was rising—warm and golden, as if the world itself had been reborn.
Maeve looked at Ella. "The first battle is over. But you know this isn't the end."
Ella nodded, holding the Heartstone close. "I know. Malakar isn't gone. He's waiting. But next time, I'll be ready."
Lyra smiled, brushing dirt from her face. "And you won't face him alone."
For the first time in days, Ella laughed softly. "I know."
As the sun rose higher, its light catching the edge of the Heartstone, a faint voice whispered through the wind — gentle, familiar, and full of love.
"Keep walking, my child. The light is never lost."
Ella closed her eyes and smiled. "I won't stop. Not ever."