Black String of Fate

The void shattered around Xavier like a broken mirror, reality snapping back into place with a violent jolt. He stumbled, his vision swimming as the cold of the mountain plateau rushed back into his senses. He felt

Anathema

vibrating at his side, pulsing with the same dark energy that had whispered in the void. But the words of the cloaked figure still echoed in his mind, a haunting reminder of the choice that loomed before him.

Luna rushed to his side, her eyes filled with concern. "Xavier! What happened? You disappeared for a moment—you were just standing there, but your eyes…" Her voice trailed off, fear creeping into her tone.

Xavier clenched his jaw, his body tense as he tried to shake off the remnants of the strange vision. His heart was pounding, not just from the encounter, but from the weight of what had been revealed to him.

Anathema

was not just a cursed sword; it was something far more dangerous. The sword was trying to merge with him, to consume his very soul. And the time to make his decision was drawing near.

"I'm fine," he said, his voice strained but steady. "We need to move. Now."

Luna didn't press further, though the concern didn't leave her eyes. She knew better than to push him when he was like this—when the shadows of

Anathema

closed in on him. Instead, she simply nodded, gripping her spear tightly as she turned toward the path ahead.

The plateau stretched out before them, leading into a narrow pass between two jagged peaks. The monolith behind them continued to hum with ancient power, but its glow had faded, as though whatever energy had been within it had spent itself. Now, the only sound was the howl of the wind as it rushed through the mountain pass, carrying with it the cold, biting edge of winter.

As they began to walk, Xavier felt the weight of the sword pulling at him, a constant presence that grew heavier with each step. He could hear its whispers in the back of his mind, a dark, seductive voice that promised power beyond imagination. It tempted him with visions of conquest, of enemies falling before him in waves, of the world bowing to his strength.

But there was always a cost. Always a price.

"Luna," Xavier said after a long silence, his voice low and hesitant.

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She looked over at him, her face shadowed by the dim light of the mountains. "What is it?"

He hesitated, the words catching in his throat. How could he explain what he had seen? How could he tell her that

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was not just a weapon, but a living thing, a force that sought to consume him? How could he tell her that, in order to sever the bond, he might have to sacrifice her?

"I…" He swallowed hard, his fists clenching. "I need you to understand something. This sword,

Anathema

—it's not just cursed. It's alive, in a way. It's trying to take me, Luna. To merge with me."

Luna's brow furrowed, but she didn't speak, waiting for him to continue.

"There was this… figure. In the void, when I touched the monolith. It told me that the sword wants to become part of me. That if I don't find a way to stop it, I'll lose myself. Completely." Xavier's voice cracked as he spoke, the fear creeping into his tone despite his best efforts to keep it at bay. "It said I had to choose. To either embrace the power or sacrifice something—someone—to break the bond."

Luna's expression darkened, her lips tightening. "And you think that someone is me."

Xavier nodded, his heart heavy with guilt. "That's what it implied. But I can't—Luna, I can't sacrifice you. I'd rather die."

For a long moment, Luna was silent, her gaze fixed on him. Then, slowly, she reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, her grip firm. "Xavier," she said softly, "I've been with you through thick and thin. We've faced down monsters, armies, and gods together. If this sword is as dangerous as you say, we'll find a way to deal with it. But I'm not going to let you make that kind of sacrifice for me. You don't have to carry this burden alone."

Xavier looked into her eyes, his throat tightening. Luna had always been his strength, his anchor in the storm of battles and bloodshed. She was the only thing keeping him grounded, and the thought of losing her, of sacrificing her, was more than he could bear. But the sword's pull was growing stronger with each passing moment, and the choice seemed inevitable.

"We'll find another way," Luna repeated, her voice filled with determination. "We always do."

Xavier nodded, though doubt still gnawed at him. He wanted to believe her, wanted to trust in their ability to overcome whatever challenges lay ahead. But

Anathema

was different. This wasn't just a battle against a flesh-and-blood enemy. It was a battle for his very soul.

As they moved deeper into the mountain pass, the landscape began to shift. The jagged peaks closed in around them, towering walls of ice and stone that loomed like sentinels over the narrow path. The air grew colder, and the wind howled with an almost mournful wail, as if the mountains themselves were crying out in warning.

Xavier's senses were on high alert, every instinct screaming that they were not alone. The oppressive weight of the mountain pass, the dark energy that seemed to cling to the very air, all of it made his skin crawl.

Then, without warning, the ground beneath them shook violently, a deep rumble echoing through the mountains. Xavier and Luna staggered, struggling to keep their balance as the ground trembled beneath their feet.

"What was that?" Luna hissed, her spear raised as she scanned the pass.

Xavier didn't have time to answer before a massive, shadowy figure emerged from the mists ahead. It was easily three times the height of a man, its hulking form covered in jagged armor made of what looked like blackened stone. Its eyes glowed with an unnatural red light, and a low, guttural growl rumbled from its throat as it lumbered toward them.

"Stay back!" Xavier shouted, drawing

Anathema

in one fluid motion. The cursed blade pulsed with dark energy, its black edge gleaming in the dim light.

Luna moved to his side, her spear held at the ready. "What is that thing?"

Xavier didn't have an answer. The creature was unlike anything he had ever faced before—an abomination of stone and shadow, its very presence radiating malevolence. But there was no time to hesitate. The creature let out a roar that shook the ground, and in an instant, it was charging toward them with terrifying speed.

Xavier met the creature head-on, his sword flashing as he deflected a massive, stone-covered fist aimed at his head. The impact sent a shockwave through his body, but he gritted his teeth and pushed back, using

Anathema's

unnatural strength to hold his ground.

Luna darted to the side, her spear striking out with precision as she aimed for the creature's joints, trying to find a weakness in its stony armor. But the creature was relentless, its movements surprisingly fast for something so massive. Each swing of its arms sent waves of force through the air, and the ground beneath their feet cracked and splintered with every step it took.

Xavier's heart pounded as he fought, his mind racing. The creature's strength was immense, but there had to be a way to bring it down.

Anathema

pulsed in his hand, its dark energy urging him to unleash its full power, to let the sword guide his strikes.

But he resisted. He couldn't lose control—not here, not now.

With a roar, the creature swung its massive arm toward Xavier, but he was ready. He ducked low, the blow missing him by inches, and in one fluid motion, he drove

Anathema

upward, slicing through the creature's armor with a burst of dark energy. The creature let out a deafening roar of pain, its red eyes flaring as it staggered back.

Luna seized the opportunity, her spear darting forward and driving into the creature's exposed joint. The spear struck true, piercing the shadowy flesh beneath the stone armor, and the creature let out another roar of agony, its movements slowing.

But it wasn't enough.

With a final, desperate swing, the creature lashed out, its massive fist slamming into Xavier's chest and sending him flying through the air. He crashed into the ground with a sickening thud, the wind knocked out of him.

"Xavier!" Luna shouted, rushing toward him.

But before she could reach him, the creature raised its arm, preparing to deliver a crushing blow.

Xavier's vision blurred, his body screaming in pain. He could feel

Anathema

pulsing in his hand, its dark power calling to him, begging him to unleash it fully.

With no other choice, Xavier surrendered.

He let the sword's power flow through him, its dark energy flooding his veins as he rose to his feet. His eyes burned with a cold, black light as he raised

Anathema

, the sword's edge crackling with power.