MTL NOVEL Chapter 20: The Darkness Within
Chapter 20: The Darkness Within
Elias's breath came in heavy gasps as he stood alone in the aftermath of the battle. His body trembled, not from the physical exertion, but from the raw energy that had coursed through him during the confrontation. The shadowy figure, once a terror looming over his every thought, was now gone. But Elias couldn't shake the feeling that something more insidious had taken root within him. The darkness, though defeated, still lingered.
The world around him was eerily still. The flames of the campfire had long since died, and the night was silent, save for the faint rustle of leaves in the wind. Leira, Vaelan, and the others had stepped back, giving him space. They, too, were recovering from the intense battle, but their faces were etched with doubt and worry. They knew what he had faced—what he had nearly succumbed to.
"Elias..." Leira's voice was soft, hesitant, as she approached him. "Are you okay?"
He didn't answer immediately, his gaze fixed on the darkened sky. The stars seemed to be fading, swallowed by an ever-growing void that seemed to stretch across the horizon. It was as though the very night itself had been tainted by the battle he had just fought. The faint glow of the Talisman still burned against his chest, a constant reminder of the power he had once feared—and yet, it was that same power that had given him the strength to stand his ground against the shadow.
"Elias?" Leira repeated, this time more insistently.
He finally turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "It's not over, Leira. The shadow may be gone, but the darkness inside me is still here."
Leira's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean? We destroyed it, Elias. It's gone."
But Elias shook his head, his eyes narrowing as if trying to pierce through the very fabric of the world around him. "It's not that simple. The figure… it was me, or at least a part of me. That power, that darkness—it's something I've carried with me all this time. And no matter how many times I strike it down, it'll always find a way to come back. It's part of who I am."
Vaelan, who had been silently observing the exchange, spoke up. "So, what now? We can't keep running from this. You've been carrying this burden for too long, Elias. It's time to face it head-on."
Elias turned to Vaelan, his gaze sharp and unwavering. "And how exactly do I face it? This isn't something I can simply cut down with a sword. The darkness is… inside me. It's a part of my soul."
Leira's eyes softened as she stepped closer, her hand resting lightly on his arm. "We'll figure this out together, Elias. You don't have to do this alone."
Elias gave a small, bitter laugh. "I don't think you understand. You don't have the Talisman. You don't know what it's like to carry this weight."
A long silence hung in the air as the group processed his words. The weight of Elias's burden was something they had never truly grasped. They had seen his strength in battle, his unwavering determination, but they had never seen the shadows that clung to him—until now.
Vaelan broke the silence, his voice low and resolute. "Then let us help you find a way to rid yourself of this curse. We can't keep running forever."
Elias's gaze softened slightly, but his expression remained grim. "I don't know if there's a way to rid myself of it. But I do know one thing—this isn't just about me anymore. The darkness is growing. And we need to stop it before it consumes everything."
Leira nodded. "Then we'll stop it. Together."
The fire was fully extinguished by now, the only light coming from the faint glow of the Talisman at Elias's chest. As he looked around at his companions, he felt the weight of their trust in him. They had all come this far together, and he couldn't let them down now.
"We need to find the source of this darkness," Elias said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within him. "We need to go to the heart of the Order. That's where this all started."
The others exchanged wary glances. The Order was a formidable force, and their stronghold was rumored to be hidden deep within the heart of the mountains—an impenetrable fortress that few had ever seen and even fewer had returned from. But they knew that there was no other option. The battle against the shadows couldn't be won in the woods or on the outskirts of civilization. They needed to strike at the heart of the enemy.
"We'll need to plan carefully," Vaelan said, his tone pragmatic. "The Order is not a group to underestimate. They'll know we're coming."
Elias nodded, his mind already racing with possibilities. "We can't waste any time. The longer we wait, the stronger they become. The darkness won't just stop at me—it'll spread, and it'll consume everything."
Leira stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Then we don't waste any time. We'll gather our strength, prepare ourselves, and head out at first light."
Elias's heart surged with a renewed sense of purpose. Despite the fear and uncertainty that weighed heavily on his shoulders, he knew that this was the only way forward. The darkness that had haunted him for so long would not win. Not now. Not ever.
The night stretched on as they prepared for the journey ahead, each of them lost in their thoughts, each of them contemplating the dangers that lay in wait. The mountains were a place of legend—whispers of the Order's power and the horrors that resided there were enough to make even the bravest of souls hesitate. But there was no turning back now.
Elias sat by the fire, his gaze distant. The weight of the Talisman seemed to grow heavier with every passing moment. He could feel the pull of the darkness, an insidious force that threatened to consume him if he wasn't careful. The whispers were there, just beneath the surface, urging him to embrace the power that had been given to him.
"You're not strong enough," the voice hissed, the same voice that had spoken to him in the forest. "You will never be strong enough. The darkness will always be a part of you."
Elias clenched his fists, forcing the voice to retreat, if only for a moment. "I will control it," he muttered under his breath. "I will not be your puppet."
But even as he said the words, he couldn't shake the feeling that the darkness was already taking root in his mind, creeping like a vine, wrapping itself around his thoughts and twisting them into something darker, something unrecognizable.
Leira sat beside him, offering a silent presence as the fire flickered between them. She had no words of comfort, no easy answers. But Elias felt her unwavering support, a bond stronger than anything the darkness could throw at him.
"Tomorrow," Elias said quietly, his voice heavy with the weight of their mission. "Tomorrow, we move forward. No more running. No more hiding."
To Be Continued…