Adrian watched as the last traces of the hydra's mist faded from the cavern floor, leaving him in a tense silence that seemed to seep into his bones.

The battle had been tough, but with every breath, he felt himself getting stronger. The burden of the past he had just faced felt less heavy, and his sense of purpose became clearer.

He glanced at the dark corridor ahead, and, with a steadying breath, stepped forward. The oppressive stillness shifted subtly, as if something deep within the temple had awakened.

The stones beneath his feet pulsed with a low vibration, like a heartbeat echoing through the ancient walls, making each step feel like a trespass.

A large stone door stood in front of them, covered in carved faces that looked twisted and full of despair, with clawed hands stretching out as if trying to break free. Adrian approached cautiously, feeling a chill from the dark energy radiating off it.

Placing a hand on the cold, rough stone, he pushed. The door groaned, scraping open to reveal another chamber.

This hall was bathed in a pale blue light, the flames of torches burning with an icy glow that barely pierced the thick darkness clinging to the edges of the room.

The air was frigid, biting through his armor and raising goosebumps along his skin as he stepped inside. It felt alive, charged with energy that seemed to prick at his senses like thousands of invisible needles.

The blue light reflected off his blade, casting faint shadows around him.

As he took another step, the shadows began to shift, reshaping themselves into hazy figures. Adrian stood still, his hand tightly holding his sword as the ghostly figures became more distinct, taking the shape of faces he recognized.

It was his allies—Ava, Lilith, Medea, and Abyss—all staring at him with expressions he'd never seen before, their eyes filled with something strange, almost pitying. Ava was the first to step forward, her arms crossed, lips drawn in a thin, disappointed line.

"Adrian," she said, her voice breaking the quiet with a touch of frustration. "Do you really think you're capable of handling this? Eris's power? The Shadow Court? It's too much. You're… well, you're only human."

He blinked, thrown off by the coldness in her voice. "Ava, what are you—?"

Before he could finish, Lilith's sharp and dismissive voice cut in. "She's right, Adrian. You're stubborn, but that's not the same as strong. And this? This fight? You don't have what it takes."

Adrian felt a chill that had nothing to do with the cold of the room. He turned, trying to meet their eyes, searching for some trace of the loyalty he knew they held.

But their gazes were piercing, devoid of warmth, each stare cutting deeper than any blade could.

Medea shook her head slowly, her voice softer but no less piercing. "Adrian, we care about you. That's why we're telling you to stop. If you go on… you'll only be a danger to yourself and to us. Just let it go."

He tightened his grip on the sword as Abyss' voice joined the others, each word filled with an unusual calm. "Please, Adrian. This path is only leading to ruin. Turn back, and we'll be here to help you pick up the pieces. Just… let this go. For everyone's sake."

The doubt crept in before he could stop it, worming its way into his mind like a cold vice squeezing his heart.

Could they be right?

Was he fooling himself into believing he could face the power of a goddess?

But then he stopped, his instincts flaring, sensing something amiss. He looked closely at each face, each one twisted with subtle malice beneath the pity.

His allies had never shown doubt like this, not in him. These weren't his friends; they were something the temple of Discord had conjured, illusions crafted to prey on his insecurities, his fears.

Adrian straightened, his voice steady as he glared at them. "You're not real," he declared in a sharp voice. "The people I fight beside would never give up. They'd never want me to give up, either."

The illusions faltered, their expressions shifting, the faintest flicker of anger flashing in their eyes. His defiance seemed to break the mask they wore, causing the illusions to ripple.

Their faces twisted and changed into strange, unfriendly shapes, each one radiating a faint, dark energy that pulsed like a heartbeat. With snarls, they advanced, blades gleaming in their hands.

Adrian drew his sword and readied his chains, the spear-tipped ends igniting with a fiery glow as he stepped into a defensive stance.

The first phantom charged forward, its blade moving in a dangerous arc, but Adrian blocked it with his own weapon, using his chains to push the creature away.

But more followed, their attacks relentless, surrounding him on all sides.

Adrian moved smoothly as he blocked, parried, and struck back, his chains lashing out accurately. But for every phantom he dispelled, another took its place, each one attacking with mindless, brutal force.

The room was filled with the sound of metal hitting metal, and the blue light created spooky shadows on the fighters.

A blow caught him off guard, slicing across his shoulder, but he barely registered the pain, his focus narrowed on survival.

He ducked under a swing, retaliating with a strike that sent the phantom disintegrating into mist, only for two more to take its place, their grins wicked and mocking.

"You can't win, Adrian," one hissed, its voice a chilling echo of Ava's. "This will only end in failure."

Ignoring the taunt, he twisted, his chains wrapping around the phantom's neck before he yanked, the creature dissolving as his chains flared with fiery light. He took a shaky breath, his gaze darting around as more phantoms rose, their taunts echoing louder.

"Enough!" Adrian's voice cut through the noise. "You are nothing but illusions—shadows with no power over me!"

His words seemed to weaken them, their forms flickering like dying flames. Taking advantage of their hesitation, Adrian charged forward, his blade cutting through the remaining phantoms with a fierce determination.

Each swing of his sword, each flick of his chains tore through the illusions until they dissolved into wisps of darkness, leaving only silence in their wake.

His chest rose and fell with each heavy breath, his heart still pounding as he looked around, finding the room empty once more. He stood quietly, feeling the cold air, but along with it came a new warmth—an inner strength, reminding him of his purpose.

A low rumble shook the room as another doorway opened at the far end of the chamber, its dark depths inviting him forward.

Without hesitation, Adrian strode into the next hall. The temperature dropped even further as he entered, the pale blue light shifting to a sickly green that cast long shadows against the rough stone walls.

The air grew thicker, heavy with an unseen pressure that settled like a weight across his shoulders.

In the middle of the chamber was a large, ancient sarcophagus. Its lid had detailed carvings of symbols representing envy and resentment, all directed toward a statue of Eris that towered above.

Her stony gaze seemed to follow him as he moved, her lips twisted in a smug smirk, as if she'd been waiting for him all along.

As he approached, whispers filled the room, insidious voices that slithered into his mind, each one tempting him with promises of power, glory, and revenge if he abandoned his mission.

"All you have to do is walk away," one voice murmured. "All of this power, everything you desire, could be yours."

Another voice joined, smoother and colder. "Abandon the others. Claim the power of Eris, and let them see who truly holds strength."

Adrian ignored the voices, focusing on the sarcophagus before him. But as he stepped forward, he felt his boot press against something—one of the floor's pressure plates.

A faint click sounded, followed by a series of rapid hisses as darts shot out from hidden holes in the walls, each one tipped with a glistening, deadly green poison.

Adrian ducked, dodging to the side as he barely avoided the projectiles. The darts continued to rain down, the trap relentless in its assault.

He moved quickly, weaving between the pressure plates as he advanced, his chains snapping out to deflect a few of the darts.

Adrian darted forward as he dodged the relentless storm of poison-tipped darts. The trap was relentless, its barrage continuous, forcing him to stay alert with every step, every breath.

His chains snapped out defensively, the fiery spearheads knocking aside some of the darts in mid-air, but more kept coming, whistling through the darkened chamber like venomous wasps.

The voices of temptation still echoed around him, their whispers curling into his mind with an insidious allure, urging him to give in and embrace the power waiting within Eris's tomb. "The power is yours, Adrian," one hissed. "Just reach out, claim it… Imagine what you could become…"

Grinding his teeth, Adrian blocked out the voices, refusing to let them plant seeds of doubt. He stayed focused on the path ahead, weaving past the pressure plates and keeping his mind clear.

Just then, a dart grazed his arm, slicing through his armor and leaving a faint burn where it had touched his skin. "Oh… fuck!"

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