Chapter 24: Chapter 23: The Descent into Darkness
The frigid water enveloped Arthur as he dove deeper into the abyss, the world above quickly disappearing into obscurity. His body tensed against the cold, each stroke pulling him further from the faint glow of the platform and Excalibur. Darkness swallowed him whole, an oppressive void pressing in from all sides.
Arthur's lungs burned as he pushed deeper, his mind racing. Thoughts of the Ebony Blade and its malevolent curse filled his head. Would he be strong enough to resist? Could he face the creature that guarded it?
Suddenly, a faint blue light shimmered below, illuminating the watery depths. The glow grew brighter with each passing moment, revealing the submerged ruins of an ancient temple. Massive stone columns rose from the seabed, encrusted with barnacles and seaweed. Carvings of runes and mythical creatures lined the walls, their meanings lost to time.
Arthur touched down on the sandy floor, his boots sinking slightly into the sediment. The glow emanated from a massive gate at the center of the ruins, its frame adorned with depictions of a fierce battle between two swords—one shining bright as the sun, the other as dark as a starless night.
"Here we go," Arthur muttered to himself, his voice muffled by the water.
As he approached the gate, the ground trembled beneath his feet. The silence of the depths shattered as a low growl echoed through the ruins, reverberating in his chest.
Arthur froze, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword. The water ahead began to churn, the glow of the gate dimming as shadows swirled around it.
From the darkness emerged the guardian of the Ebony Blade.
The creature was monstrous, a leviathan unlike anything Arthur had ever imagined. Its serpentine body stretched endlessly, covered in shimmering black scales that seemed to absorb the light. Its glowing yellow eyes locked onto Arthur, filled with ancient malice. Razor-sharp fins lined its body, and its maw opened to reveal rows of jagged teeth.
Arthur's heart pounded as the creature let out a deafening roar, sending shockwaves through the water.
"Of course, it's a giant sea monster," he muttered, tightening his grip on his sword.
The leviathan lunged, its massive form cutting through the water with terrifying speed. Arthur barely managed to dive out of the way, the creature's jaws snapping shut inches from where he had stood.
Drawing his blade, Arthur swung at the beast as it turned to strike again. His sword clashed against its scales, sparks flying as the blade glanced off without leaving a mark.
"It's too strong," he realized, dodging another attack.
The creature coiled around him, its massive body trapping him in a swirling vortex of water. Arthur struggled to keep his balance as the pressure mounted, the beast's glowing eyes watching him with predatory intent.
"Think, Arthur. You can't outmuscle it," he told himself.
As the creature lunged again, Arthur noticed something—a faint blue light pulsing at the base of its throat. The light resonated with the gate behind it, as if tethering the creature to its duty.
"That's it," Arthur thought. "The source of its power."
Dodging the leviathan's snapping jaws, Arthur swam toward the beast's throat. The creature roared in fury, thrashing wildly as it realized his intent. Its tail struck him, sending him hurtling into a stone column.
Pain shot through Arthur's body, but he refused to back down. He gripped his sword tightly and pushed off the column, using the momentum to propel himself toward the pulsing light.
The leviathan coiled again, but this time, Arthur was ready. He maneuvered through the water with agility, evading the creature's attacks. As he neared the light, he thrust his sword forward with all his strength.
The blade pierced the glowing orb, and the leviathan let out an ear-splitting shriek. The light exploded in a burst of energy, enveloping Arthur in a blinding flash.
When the light faded, Arthur found himself floating in calm waters. The leviathan's body began to disintegrate into shimmering particles, its form fading into nothingness.
Arthur turned toward the gate, now fully illuminated. The massive doors creaked open, revealing a narrow path leading upward. At the end of the path, resting on a pedestal of black stone, was the Ebony Blade.
Arthur swam forward cautiously, the sword's dark aura radiating power. As he reached the pedestal, he felt a tug at the edges of his mind—a whispering voice, seductive and cold.
"Take me," it urged. "I can make you unstoppable. No one will ever challenge you again."
Arthur hesitated, his hand hovering over the hilt. The sword's black blade seemed to pulse with life, its power almost intoxicating.
"Resist it," he told himself, clenching his fists. "This is a test of will."
The whispers grew louder, images of power and conquest flooding his mind. But Arthur stood firm, closing his eyes and focusing on the light of Excalibur above.
"I am not a slave to darkness," he said aloud, his voice steady.
The whispers faded, the blade's aura dimming slightly. Arthur stepped back, refusing to succumb. The path ahead began to glow, leading him upward toward the surface.
As he ascended, the water around him grew warmer, the light of Excalibur guiding him home. The trial was far from over, but Arthur had taken the first step toward his destiny.