The Varaksha’s Curse

The air in the chamber crackled with energy, the Void Shard's light intensifying as the tension between Kiran, the Varaksha, and Malrik reached its peak. Shadows danced across the ancient carvings on the walls, and the oppressive hum of power grew louder with every passing second.

Malrik raised his staff, its jagged edges glowing with crimson energy. "Do you truly think you can stop me, boy? You're nothing more than a child playing at being a hero."

Kiran felt anger surge within him, but he kept his focus, the fragment of the Void Shard pulsing in his hand. "I'm more than you think," he said, drawing his bow and nocking an arrow.

"Focus, Kiran," the Varaksha said, stepping forward to shield him. "Do not let his words shake you. This battle will require all of your strength—and mine."

Malrik's laugh echoed through the chamber, dark and mocking. "You think that beast will save you? Let me show you the power of the Circle!"

With a sharp motion, Malrik slammed his staff into the ground. Crimson energy rippled outward, warping the air and summoning shadowy figures from the walls. Twisted creatures with glowing red eyes emerged, their forms shifting like smoke but solid enough to strike.

The Varaksha roared, its massive frame launching forward to intercept the shadow creatures. Its claws tore through the first wave, but the shadows were relentless, swarming the beast with feral aggression.

Kiran raised his bow, firing an arrow at one of the creatures that lunged for him. The arrow struck true, and the creature dissolved into smoke. But more were coming.

Malrik watched the chaos with a sneer, his staff glowing brighter. "You cannot win, Kiran. The Void Shard belongs to me. Its power will remake the world—and destroy you."

Kiran ignored the taunt, his focus shifting to the Varaksha. The beast was holding its own, but even its strength wasn't infinite. He needed to tip the scales.

"Kiran!" the Varaksha called out, its voice strained. "Use the fragment! Its energy can disrupt these shadows!"

Kiran hesitated, glancing down at the glowing fragment in his hand. He could feel its power, raw and untamed, but he had no idea how to wield it.

"Trust yourself," the Varaksha urged. "The fragment is a part of you now. Let it guide you."

Taking a deep breath, Kiran closed his eyes and focused on the fragment. He felt its energy surge through him, a pulsing rhythm that matched the beat of his heart. Slowly, the power flowed into his bow, infusing the arrow he held with a blinding silver light.

When he released the arrow, it streaked through the air like a comet, striking the ground near the shadow creatures. The light exploded outward, dissolving several of them at once.

Malrik's expression darkened. "Clever," he muttered. "But it won't be enough."

With a wave of his staff, he summoned a massive shadow beast, larger and more menacing than the others. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Kiran, and it charged with a deafening roar.

The Varaksha leapt to intercept, colliding with the beast in a clash of claws and fangs. The two titans grappled, their movements shaking the chamber and sending debris raining down.

"Kiran, now!" the Varaksha shouted. "You must take the shard while I hold him!"

Kiran nodded, sprinting toward the pedestal where the Void Shard rested. The closer he got, the heavier the air became, pressing down on him like an invisible weight.

But just as he reached for the shard, Malrik appeared before him in a swirl of shadows, his staff raised. "You don't understand what you're meddling with, boy," he hissed. "The shard will consume you!"

Kiran barely dodged the strike, rolling to the side and loosing another arrow infused with the fragment's energy. Malrik deflected it with a sweep of his staff, the impact sending sparks flying.

"I'm not afraid of you!" Kiran shouted, drawing another arrow.

Malrik sneered. "You should be."

He thrust his staff forward, and a wave of crimson energy erupted toward Kiran. The young Watcher dove out of the way, the blast scorching the ground where he had stood.

Kiran, the Varaksha's voice echoed in his mind, calm despite the chaos. "The shard's energy is connected to you. You must call to it. It will respond."

Kiran's gaze flicked to the shard, its light pulsating in sync with the fragment in his hand. Gritting his teeth, he focused all his will on the shard, reaching out to it with his mind.

The shard flared brightly, and Kiran felt its energy surge through him. The fragment in his hand glowed even brighter, merging with the shard's power.

Malrik's eyes widened as the energy around Kiran intensified, swirling around him in a blinding vortex of silver light. "What are you doing?!" Malrik roared.

Kiran didn't answer. He raised his bow, now glowing with the shard's energy, and aimed directly at Malrik.

"This ends now," Kiran said, his voice steady.

He released the arrow, and the chamber was filled with a deafening explosion of light. The energy engulfed Malrik, his scream echoing as he was thrown back, his staff shattering into pieces.

The shadow creatures dissolved into nothingness, and the oppressive energy in the chamber faded.

When the light dimmed, Kiran stood before the pedestal, the Void Shard now resting in his hands. Its glow was no longer menacing but calm, almost comforting.

The Varaksha limped toward him, its golden eyes filled with pride. "You did it, Kiran. The shard is ours."

But Kiran's relief was short-lived. He glanced at the spot where Malrik had fallen, only to find it empty. The leader of the Ashen Circle had vanished, leaving behind only the faint echoes of his laughter.

"He's still out there," Kiran said, his grip tightening on the shard. "This isn't over."

"No," the Varaksha agreed. "But you've taken the first step. The shard's power is safe for now, and with it, we may yet have a chance to stop the Circle."

Kiran nodded, determination burning in his eyes. The battle was won, but the war was far from over.

To be continued…