Step by step, the blue flames lit the path as we ventured deeper. I was once again at the head of the group with Sofia and Ray not far behind.
The walls of the tunnel were much narrower than the one we came through in the beginning. It was only big enough for two people to barely walk side by side. It's structure was also much more crude, it was like someone had simply dug a hole, in search of something; only placing stairs to make their exit easier.
The air around us was damp, and the rocks were dripping with small beeds of water, yet the stairs were untouched and dry.
At the bottom of the steps, I expected to be greeted with another puzzle door, but instead there was just an opening leading into another large room.
The room was nothing like the walk down, the walls were made from a dark material that was assumed to be the same material the shield was created from. Looking around, we realized that every inch of the room was covered in the strange runic symbols. It was an eerie sight, yet it felt beautiful in some way.
The symbols themselves were glowing blue, and had been doing so ever since we'd entered the large room, and maybe even before that.
While the group was momentarily mesmerized by the sight, I took a step through the doorway and continued forward. My eyes were locked on the middle of the room, and only one thing filled my mind.
'This is it..., the moment I worked so hard for. My life's work, everything I've been through, all for this moment... Please be it.'
By the time the others realized I was gone, I'd already reached halfway to the middle.
Sitting there in the middle of the room was a pedestal, it was white in color and was surrounded by two large runic circles. Without any hesitation, my mind still occupied by the single thought, I crossed over and into the circles. They began to glow white as I crossed, yet I continued on.
The others caught up to me and stood outside of the circles. Sofia tried to continue forward behind me, but her movements were halted by the pressure of a field of energy before her. When she touched the field a white barrier presented itself under her fingertips.
In front of me, sat my future. The thing I had longed for, since I was thirteen years old.
On the pedestal sat a single book, filled with the knowledge of the universe. It was only a single touch away, and all I had to do was grab it. The book had a dark blue cover, with silver chains surrounding it. It was large in size and filled with many pages. There was a dark crystal in the middle of the book connecting the chains, locking it in place.
Below the book, there was a set of runes. I traced my hand over the cold chains of the book, then over the dark crystal. I noticed that the crystal itself wasn't black, it was actually clear, but there was a darkness swirling through it.
I looked at the runes on the pedestal, I expected them to be the same one's we had encountered up until this point. Each time we've seen them they allowed us to open a door or entrance to further our path. So they would also allow us to open the chains.
Taking a closer look I realized they were different from the rest, it seemed like more of a message rather than a password. I looked back towards Sofia, whom could do nothing but watch. I realized that she was locked out when, she placed her hand on the barrier.
I took a step forward towards her, but she raised her hand to stop me. She pointed a finger towards me, I turned my head to see what it was she was pointing towards.
Behind me there was a feint glow under the book, the runes under the book gave off a white glow as they shifted and changed. Before my eyes I watched as they changed and became something I could understand.... A message.
[The reward, is punishment for those unfit to live. The chosen gain their truth, while the damned are forsaken. The path of righteousness is written in stone yet only the blood of the unnatural can rewrite it.
Accept your fate, or perish within the abyss.]
'The blood of the unnatural, what could that mean.... Those labeled as Gods maybe.'
I wiped my hand over the glowing text, they continued to shift and seemed to vibrate. Then I pulled my hand away as a sharp pain shot up through my thumb, there was a cut on it from the pedestal. Small drops of blood littered the words as I pulled away, the pedestal began to shake as they became a deep red color.
The blood slowly moved towards the chains, it slowly wrapped itself around them staining them red. The chains then guided the blood towards the crystal, it encompassed the crystal and began to slowly seep inside of it.
The crystal began to glow as the darkness mixed with the blood, a wave of energy pulsated from within reaching past the others. It was a small pulse, only strong enough to push my hair a little.
The field surrounding me began to flicker as the darkness began to recede. The chains around the book began to rattle as the became undone. The ground shook as the symbols flickered on the walls, then there was nothing but silence.
The light of the symbols faded and the field released itself. Everyone stood still, trying to catch their bearings. Sofia took a step forward, she realized the field was down and took this as her chance to get closer.
I stood there motionless, watching the chains slowly fall out of place. She placed her hand onto my shoulder as she stood beside me. A click could be heard as the empty crystal unlatched from the book, and the last chain fell.
I looked up at her with a smile.
"Thank you."
She smiled back and rubbed my back.
"Let's go, don't forget that. Would be a shame to come all this way just to leave it."
I simply nodded. Turning to look at it, i hesitated before grabbing it.
I grabbed the book and turned to follow her, but I noticed something on the pedestal. The writing had once again changed.
[You have accepted your fate, the world of Gods shall judge you....
Guilty.]
My eyes widened, my head snapped to where Sofia and the others were, near the entrance. If nothing else I knew now that we needed to leave and I had a feeling that would be easier said than done.
'Damn it.'
I rushed to catch up to the others.
"We need to leave now, we're in danger! Everyone keep your eyes peeled."
"What, how do you know!?!?"
"I'll explain later, let's move!"
Placing the book in my bag, I grabbed my gun and made for the stairs. Everyone followed my lead, we all rushed up and out towards the throne room.
Everything seemed normal at first, that was until we passed the thrones and realized something terrifying.
'The three statues..., they're gone.'