The Demon of Desire: the rise of the slum rat

The descent from the summit was slower than Mikhael had anticipated. While the battle with the Sentinel had left them victorious, it had also drained the group of both energy and resolve. The air remained heavy, though the oppressive magic that had once saturated the mountain now felt faint, like the fading echoes of a storm.

Koneko trailed behind Mikhael, her golden eyes watching him carefully. "You've been quiet since the fight," she said.

Mikhael's crimson gaze remained fixed on the rocky path ahead. "Just thinking."

"About what?"

"About what's next," he replied, his voice low.

Kael glanced at him, their expression skeptical. "That's not all, is it? You've been acting... different. Since the obelisk."

"I'm fine," Mikhael said curtly, though even he didn't fully believe it. The artifact's whispers had quieted, but the weight of its presence was heavier than ever.

A Hidden Path

As they neared the base of the mountain, Ishtar came to an abrupt halt. Her crimson eyes narrowed as she scanned the jagged rocks ahead.

"Wait," she said, raising a hand.

The group stopped, their eyes following her gaze. What had appeared to be a solid rock wall shimmered faintly, revealing the faint outline of a doorway carved into the stone.

Kael frowned. "Another barrier?"

"No," Ishtar replied, stepping closer. "This is different. It's... concealed, not protected. Whoever put it here didn't want it found."

Mikhael approached the doorway, his blade already in hand. "Only one way to find out."

The Forgotten Chamber

The doorway led to a narrow, spiraling tunnel that descended deep into the mountain. The air grew colder with every step, the walls lined with faintly glowing runes that cast eerie shadows across the group.

When they finally emerged into a vast chamber, the sight that greeted them was both awe-inspiring and unnerving.

At the center of the room stood a massive, crystalline structure, its surface pulsing with a faint, otherworldly light. Around it were dozens of pedestals, each holding an object that radiated power—ancient weapons, shards of glowing stone, and other artifacts whose purposes were impossible to discern.

Kael's eyes widened. "This... this is a vault."

"A vault for what?" Koneko asked, her voice wary.

"For power," Ishtar said, her tone filled with both reverence and caution.

A New Discovery

Mikhael approached the crystalline structure, his crimson eyes scanning its surface. The artifact against his chest pulsed faintly, its whispers growing louder.

"Take it... absorb it... this is your reward..."

He hesitated, the weight of the artifact's influence pressing down on him. But before he could act, Ishtar placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Careful," she said, her voice calm but firm. "This place is more than it seems. Rushing in could awaken something we're not ready for."

Mikhael exhaled, forcing the whispers to the back of his mind. "Then what do you suggest?"

Ishtar smiled faintly. "We learn."

The Vault's Secrets

Over the next few hours, the group explored the chamber, examining the objects on the pedestals and the runes etched into the walls. Kael took detailed notes, their expression a mix of fascination and disbelief.

"These artifacts," they said, holding up a shard of glowing stone. "They're ancient—far older than anything I've seen before. And they're all connected to the mountain's magic."

Koneko inspected a curved blade resting on one pedestal, her claws brushing against its hilt. "They're powerful. I can feel it."

Ishtar studied the crystalline structure, her crimson eyes narrowing. "And this... this is the source. It's been feeding the mountain's energy for centuries, maybe longer."

Mikhael remained silent, his gaze fixed on the structure. The whispers had grown more insistent, their tone almost pleading.

A Dangerous Decision

Finally, Mikhael stepped forward, his hand hovering over the crystalline surface. The artifact flared against his chest, its energy resonating with the structure.

"What are you doing?" Kael asked, their voice sharp.

"Testing something," Mikhael replied, his tone even.

The moment his hand touched the crystal, the chamber was engulfed in light. The runes on the walls flared to life, and the objects on the pedestals began to hum with energy.

"Mikhael!" Koneko shouted, shielding her eyes from the light.

He felt the artifact surge with power, its whispers becoming a roar. "Yes... take it... claim it all..."

The Vault's Guardian

The light coalesced into a massive figure—a spectral being clad in translucent armor, its eyes burning with the same faint glow as the crystal. Its voice echoed through the chamber, deep and resonant.

"You who seek the power of the ancients, prove your worth or perish."

The group tensed as the guardian drew a massive, ethereal blade, its presence filling the room with an oppressive aura.

"Because of course there's a guardian," Kael muttered, readying their runes.

"Stay sharp," Mikhael said, drawing his blade. "This one's not going to be easy."

The Battle in the Vault

The guardian struck first, its blade slicing through the air with devastating force. Mikhael activated Shadow Step, dodging the attack and reappearing behind the figure. He struck with precision, but his blade passed through the guardian's form as if it were made of mist.

"It's incorporeal!" Kael shouted, hurling an explosive rune at the guardian's chest. The blast disrupted its form briefly, but it quickly reconstituted itself.

"Then we disrupt it," Ishtar said, her hands glowing with magic. She summoned a circle of spectral blades, launching them at the guardian. The attacks struck true, forcing the figure to falter.

Koneko darted in next, her claws glowing with golden light. She targeted the runes etched into the guardian's armor, each strike leaving faint cracks in its form.

Victory Through Unity

As the battle raged, Mikhael focused on the guardian's movements, his mind racing. He activated Amplify, channeling his energy into the artifact blade.

"Ishtar, with me!" he shouted.

She nodded, her magic flaring as she combined her energy with his. Together, they launched a coordinated strike, the artifact's dark energy and Ishtar's magic converging on the guardian's core.

The chamber shook as the attack landed, the guardian letting out a deafening roar before collapsing into a cascade of light.

The Vault's Reward

As the dust settled, the crystalline structure began to dim, its energy flowing into Mikhael's artifact.

[System Notification: Vault Guardian Defeated!]

Experience Earned: 80,000.

Current Level: 38 → 40.

Mikhael felt the surge of power as his body adjusted to the level-up. The artifact's whispers faded, leaving only silence.

Kael approached him cautiously. "What just happened?"

"We won," Mikhael said simply, sheathing his blade.

The chapter ends with the group leaving the vault, the faint glow of the mountain behind them as they prepare for whatever trials await.