The air inside the cave felt frozen, as if time had suspended itself in that moment. Castian took a deep breath, trying to control the whirlwind of emotions within him. Shen, at his side, watched with distrust and concern, clearly torn between trying to prevent the pact and supporting his companion.
The entity floated before Castian, its spectral form undulating in the air like restless smoke. Its eyes shone with ancient power, something both terrifying and mesmerizing. The figure seemed eager, as if the moment it had been waiting for centuries was finally about to happen.
“If you are truly determined,” the entity said, its voice echoing softly throughout the hall, “all you need to do is open your mind... and your heart. Allow me to enter, and together, we will be stronger than any threat that may come.”
Castian hesitated, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword as if seeking strength in the steel. He glanced one last time at Shen, hoping for some kind of signal or advice. However, Shen's gaze was one of bitter resignation. There were no more words to be said.
“Do you really want to do this, Castian?” Shen asked, his voice tense. “Once it’s done, there will be no turning back. You will be forever linked to this thing.”
Castian pressed his lips together and nodded, determined.
“We have no choice, Shen. If this is what needs to be done to save the village, then I will do it.”
The entity moved closer, hovering just inches from Castian’s face. The spirit appeared almost human, except for its eyes—eyes of a predator, a creature accustomed to darkness and eternity. Castian could see himself reflected in that entity, an older version, marked by experiences he had yet to live.
“Are you ready?” the entity asked, its voice now grave.
Castian didn’t respond with words; he simply closed his eyes and took a deep breath, opening himself to the inevitable. He felt his heart race, adrenaline coursing through his veins, and then... the touch of the entity.
When the entity moved inside him, it wasn’t as he had imagined. There was no physical invasion or immediate pain. Instead, it felt like coldness, as if a chilling breeze had passed through his body without ever touching his skin. The spirit infiltrated his mind like a dense fog slowly covering every corner of his consciousness. Castian fought against the urge to resist, forcing himself to relax as the entity's presence grew within him.
His body began to tremble involuntarily. He could feel the entity's energy merging with his own, an almost overwhelming force that made every cell in his body vibrate. His breathing became irregular, and he fell to his knees, driving his sword into the ground for support.
“Castian!” Shen shouted, stepping forward.
But before Shen could do anything, a bright glow emanated from Castian, and the warrior was enveloped in a ghostly light. The ground trembled slightly, and the air around them grew heavy, as if the cave itself was reacting to the pact. The connection between Castian and the entity was being sealed.
Inside Castian’s mind, it was as if he was floating in emptiness. He saw flashes of memories—memories that weren’t his but felt somehow familiar. Visions of ancient battles, forgotten worlds, dark creatures, and powerful entities all passing before his eyes in a matter of seconds. He saw the entity, at its peak, commanding an army of shadows against forces Castian could barely comprehend.
And then, the entity's voice echoed in his mind.
“Do you feel that, Castian? This is the true extent of our power. Together, we are unstoppable. There is nothing that can hold us back.”
Castian felt a wave of strength coursing through his body. His muscles tightened, his mind sharpened. But along with this strength, there was a subtle darkness, something whispering in the corners of his consciousness, trying to draw him into the abyss. He fought against it, maintaining control, staying true to who he was.
Back in the physical world, the light enveloping Castian began to fade, and he slowly returned to himself. His eyes opened, but they now shone with an intensity that hadn’t been there before. He stood up, firmer, more certain—but something within him had changed. He was no longer the same Castian who had entered that cave.
Shen watched him cautiously, gripping the hilt of his sword, ready for the worst.
“Castian?” Shen called, his voice full of distrust. “Are you... okay?”
Castian took a deep breath and looked at Shen, a faint smile on his lips.
“I am,” Castian replied, his voice stronger than before. “I can feel her presence... inside me. It’s strange, but... it feels like I’m stronger now. More focused. But...” He hesitated, his expression growing serious. “I also feel like I need to be careful. She’s not just an ally. She’s a force that could try to control me if I give her space.”
The entity spoke directly within Castian’s mind, like a voice he could not ignore.
“I will not take control, Castian,” the entity promised. “At least, not without your permission. We are in this together, as equals. But remember, the more you use my power, the closer we will become one.”
Castian gritted his teeth. “That was the real question,” he thought. How much could he trust the entity? And how much could he trust himself not to lose himself in the process?
“Now that the pact is made,” Castian said aloud, turning his attention to the matter at hand, “how do we get out of here? And what will we do to save the village?”
The entity chuckled softly, its presence still lingering within Castian's mind.
“Getting out of here will be easy now,” the entity said, its voice reverberating in Castian’s mind like a distant echo. “I can guide you through the hidden paths of this cave. But saving the village... that will be the hardest part. The evil that is coming is more powerful than anything you have ever faced. And the only way to defeat it is with our combined power.”
Shen, who had been watching everything from a distance, cautiously approached, still distrustful.
“And what exactly is coming?” Shen asked, looking directly at Castian, but his question was clearly directed at the entity. “What kind of evil?”
The entity hesitated for a moment, as if pondering how much it should reveal.
“An ancient force, similar to me, but much crueler. An entity that was not imprisoned but banished... and now it is returning. It will bring destruction not just to the village but to all places it passes through.”
Castian’s heart tightened at those words. Once again, he found himself at a crossroads—a fight not only for his people but for the very world itself.