No amount of divine power could save us from the dark and desolate realm. We trudged through the vast emptiness, our footsteps echoing off the barren landscape. I couldn't be certain if Derek truly was my twin brother or just a cleverly disguised manipulator, but leaving anyone behind to suffer in the clutches of shadow felt like a betrayal. The weight of silence pressed down upon us as we marched towards the portal that would transport us to the immortal realm. The air around us felt heavy with anticipation, almost suffocating in its stillness. Every step brought us closer to salvation, and yet I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the back of my mind.
We reached a vast, abandoned castle, its stone walls decaying with time. A thick sense of melancholy clung to the air like a shroud, weighing down our spirits.
Zane shook his head. "None of this feels right."
Niam nodded. "I know. This castle seems to hold a darkness that's nearly palpable."
As we entered, the wind whispered, "Why do we trust the darkness? We've always been enemies."
Brod chimed in, "But we don't have a choice. We have to protect Kyla and her brother."
"But what about Derek?" Jace questioned, concern etching across his features. "Can we truly believe him?"
"We'll worry about him later," Zane stated firmly. "We need to find a way to get out of here."
We split up, exploring the castle's corridors and rooms, hoping to find a way out. Each room we entered seemed to hold a deeper despair and darkness, as if the very bricks and stones of the building had absorbed the despair and sorrow that had once filled it.
As we searched, we couldn't help but feel as though we were being watched, our every movement under the scrutiny of unseen eyes.
In one room, we found a strange, glowing orb suspended in the air. It pulsed with a dim light, casting eerie shadows across the chamber.
Niam approached it cautiously, his hand outstretched towards it. "What is this?"
The orb hummed softly, responding to his touch. A voice echoed in our minds, cold and distant. "You've found my creation. It's a way out of here."
Brod stepped forward, his voice strong and determined. "What do you want from us?"
The voice chuckled, filled with malice. "Oh, nothing much. Just a small favor in return for your freedom."
Jace's eyes narrowed as he took a step forward. "We won't make any deals with you. We're here to rescue Kyla, nothing more."
The voice laughed again, the sound reverberating through the room. "You misunderstand. I don't need anything from you, elemental gods. I need something from Kyla."
A chill ran down my spine at the mention of my name, and I instinctively moved closer to the other gods for protection.
"What do you want from her?" Zane demanded, his tone laced with anger.
The voice paused for a moment before answering, its voice now dripping with intrigue. "I want her to embrace her full potential."
The voice's request surprised me. My full potential? I thought to myself. What did that mean?
Niam stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the orb. "What exactly do you mean by 'embracing her full potential'? What are you planning?"
The voice echoed again, this time with a sinister undertone. "She has yet to tap into her true power. The power of lightning."
The memory of the attack in the forest came back to my mind. I had awakened the lightning, attempting to protect our home.
"Why would she need to wield lightning?" Jace asked, his voice filled with concern.
"Because it is the key to defeating the darkness," the voice answered, its tone growing colder. "Only with the power of all five elements combined can she stand a chance against the darkness god.
My heart pounded in my chest as the voice spoke of the power of lightning. It was true; I had awakened the power during my battle against the darkness in the forest. But how could I use it to defeat the darkness?
"We need to know more," Niam said, stepping forward to face the orb. "How can Kyla use her power of lightning?"
The orb hummed softly, its light pulsing in response to Niam's question.
"She must learn to control the power within her," the voice said. "It is a power that is both fearful and wondrous. If she can harness it, she will have the strength to fight against the darkness and save this world."
A shiver ran down my spine as I listened to the voice's promise. It was a path I had never considered before, but hearing the gods speak of it made me feel as though I held a responsibility to explore this newfound power.
"We must find a way to help her master the fifth element," Zane said, determination etching his features.
Brod nodded, his eyes never leaving the orb. "We'll find a way. We won't leave her to face the darkness alone."
Jace looked around the room, his brow furrowed. "But where can we begin? This darkness has already taken so much from her."
Niam stepped forward, a look of determination in his eyes. "We will find a way, Jace. We will help Kyla embrace her true potential, and we will defeat the darkness once and for all."
Brod looked at the pulsating orb. "I suppose there is a price to pay for her to wield the power of lightning that only the king of gods possesses."
"Yes, but it is not yet time for her to discover its price," the orb said, changing its color to a bright crimson.
"We'll help her. Now let us out." Zane grumbled, pointing a menacing finger at the orb.
"The portal you seek was sealed deep within the catacombs of this castle. Find it and use Kyla's power of lightning to awaken it. But beware of its keeper. An ancient monster that can absorb power and turn it against their wielder guards the door to the immortal realm." The orb's light flickered. "It looks like my time is up. Hurry, before the darkness swallows you whole."