Arrival at the Edge of the World
The path to the Temple of Shadows was as dark as the secrets it concealed. Eren and Lyssandra crossed desolate lands where sunlight seemed to refuse to touch the ground. The landscape was a sea of ash and blackened stones, with broken statues depicting ancient, forgotten gods.
Lyssandra, gazing at the horizon, murmured,"These statues… they date back to a time before even the Champions. This temple… it might hold things no one should ever know."
Eren, his face impassive, replied,"If this temple holds answers, then I must find them. No matter the cost."
The System appeared, displaying a new notification:New Main Quest: Enter the Temple of Shadows.Objectives:
1. Survive the temple's trials.
2. Discover the truth about the Mask Bearer.
3. Unlock the Nexus of Shadows.
Reward: 100 stat points and the ability Past/Present.
Lyssandra stepped back, uncertain. "The System is becoming more explicit. It's like it's guiding you exactly where it wants you to be."
Eren clenched his fists, his gaze burning with determination. "Then I'll destroy the System if I have to. But I won't back down."
The Entrance to the Temple
The Temple of Shadows loomed like a monstrosity carved from black stone. Ancient engravings adorned its walls, depicting scenes of titanic battles between light and darkness.
A black mist seeped from the cracks in the ground, and the air grew heavier with each step they took. Eren pushed open the heavy stone doors, revealing a vast hall plunged in oppressive darkness.
An ethereal voice echoed in the void:"The one who bears the burden of the mask… are you ready to embrace your destiny?"
Eren, without hesitation, replied,"I'm ready to face the truth, whatever it may be."
Torches lining the walls ignited with violet flames, revealing a series of pillars etched with glowing runes. The door behind them closed with a thunderous rumble.
The Temple's Trials
First Trial: The Weight of MemoriesA dark light enveloped Eren, transporting him into a vision. He was back in his village, surrounded by familiar faces, but their gazes were filled with hatred.
"Traitor," they murmured. "You brought ruin."
The scenes of his betrayal replayed before him, more intense and painful than he remembered. But Eren gritted his teeth.
"This is just an echo," he told himself. "I am no longer that person."
The vision dissipated, and he found himself back in the temple, his breath ragged. Lyssandra looked at him with concern.
"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked.Eren nodded. "Let's keep going."
Second Trial: The Judgment of BalanceA massive creature emerged from the shadows: half-man, half-beast, its red eyes fixed on Eren.
The ethereal voice spoke again:"To proceed, you must prove you are neither consumed by darkness nor blinded by light. Battle this entity and show your balance."
The fight was brutal. The creature struck with colossal force, but Eren used his mastery of both shadows and light to evade and counter. Each blow he delivered was precise, and his strategy demonstrated perfect harmony between the two forces.
Finally, the creature collapsed, and the voice declared,"You are worthy to continue."
The Truth Unveiled
At the temple's center, a circular chamber housed a grand monolith. The mask Eren sought was embedded at its core, emitting a dark glow.
Placing his hand on the mask, a wave of memories and knowledge flooded his mind. He saw fragments of truth: the mask was an ancient artifact tied to the destiny of its bearer. It symbolized not only power but also ultimate sacrifice.
The voice spoke one final time:"Are you ready to bear this burden, Eren? Are you ready to become the Watcher of Shadows, the balance between light and darkness?"
Without hesitation, Eren murmured,"Yes."
The mask disintegrated in a burst of dark light, fusing with his body. Eren felt a colossal energy surge through him, changing his essence forever.
To Be Continued...