Chapter 3: Call of the Shadows
Fade, still examining his surroundings in the middle of the coliseum with astonishment, suddenly the atmosphere changed. The atmosphere grew heavy, and the sky seemed to darken. Dark clouds began to slowly swirl above the coliseum. It was as if the very air itself was frightened by Diablo’s words.
The expression of horror on everyone’s faces deepened even further with Diablo’s gaze as he sat in the air. Diablo, who seemed to be sitting on an invisible throne around him, suddenly spread his wings a bit more. Meanwhile, a strange feeling settled inside Fade. A slight tremor occurred in his heart, and even breathing became difficult.
Then that mysterious voice echoed again, but this time it resonated only in Fade’s mind, not in everyone else’s.
"Are you ready, traveler?" The real battle is just beginning...
Fade looked around in panic. He tried to find the source of the sound, but it belonged only to him. No one else seemed to hear anything. It was as if someone had whispered inside his own mind. He had heard this voice in a previous encounter too, but this time it was much clearer and more shocking.
The voice suddenly disappeared, leaving thousands of questions in Fade’s mind. He wouldn’t bring this up to anyone, because he didn’t know what this voice was or why it was calling only him. This secret was currently weighing on his shoulders.
Diablo shifted in his chair and spoke again in a deep voice:
"Now I will give you your first task." But remember, this is just the beginning. The shadows are deepening, and every step you take will be a choice. Those who are not ready get lost in the shadows. Those who are ready... might see the light.
He made a gesture with his hands, and a pitch-black door appeared among the clouds in the sky. Around the door, ancient symbols gilded in gold were shining. Fade and the others felt a shiver in their hearts as they involuntarily looked at this door.
"This door is the first step of the journey." Those who have the courage to pass will come with me. Those without courage... should wait.