Shadow of the Fallen

Chapter 22: Echoes of the Past

The faint hum of energy resonated through the cavern as Jin Soo stood before an ancient mural carved into the stone walls. It depicted a battle between light and shadow, eerily resembling their current struggle. Beside him, Eun Ha traced the carvings with her fingers, her brows furrowed in thought.

"These murals are warnings," she said, her voice tinged with unease. "The tether's power was never meant to be wielded lightly. The last bearer… they fell."

Min Jae chuckled nervously. "So, no pressure, right?"

Jin Soo didn't respond, his eyes locked on the central figure in the mural—a lone figure wielding a glowing weapon, standing against a sea of shadows. It was a mirror image of his own fate.

As they ventured deeper into the cavern, the air grew colder, and the shadows seemed to cling to their every step. Hye Rin, walking silently at the rear, suddenly stopped. "Something's wrong," she whispered.

Before anyone could react, the ground trembled, and shadowy tendrils erupted from the walls. The group scattered, drawing their weapons. Jin Soo's tether flared to life, casting a brilliant glow that momentarily pushed back the darkness.

"Stay close!" Jin Soo shouted, his voice echoing in the cavern.

The battle was chaotic, the shadows relentless. Eun Ha's blade cut through the tendrils with precision, while Min Jae used his agility to dodge and counterattack. Seo Jin unleashed bursts of light energy, temporarily dispersing the shadowy forms.

Hye Rin, however, remained eerily calm. She raised her hand, and a faint glow emanated from her palm, freezing the shadows in place for a brief moment. "The tether's power reacts to the bearer's will," she said, her voice steady. "Control your fear, Jin Soo. Focus."

Jin Soo gritted his teeth and concentrated. The tether's glow intensified, and the shadows recoiled, retreating into the walls. The group stood in silence, catching their breath.

"That was too close," Eun Ha muttered, wiping sweat from her brow.

As they regrouped, Jin Soo noticed an inscription at the base of the mural. It was written in a language he couldn't understand, but the tether seemed to resonate with it. "What does it say?" he asked.

Hye Rin stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "It's a warning… and a promise. It says, 'Only the pure of heart may mend the tether. But to do so, they must sacrifice what they hold most dear.'"

The weight of her words hung heavy in the air.

To Be Continue.......