THE BLACK THORN CODEX
Episode 33 — The Trial of the Third Altar
November 16, 2023 — 5:05 PM
An ancient voice echoed through the room, both near and far:
"He who crosses the catacombs will find his soul exposed. But the altar… demands courage."
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The Guardian at the center of the platform steadied himself, his eyes glowing like angry embers, unable to penetrate the barrier formed by Clarisse and Leander. His deep breath filled the room, and the skulls that had fallen gently to the ground still vibrated with their combined energy.
"For how long?" Clarisse asked.
"Enough to cross the third altar and discover what he truly wants," Leander replied.
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The Guardian floated motionless in the center of the circular chamber, his red eyes like fixed embers, each pulse of light casting shifting shadows on the skull-lined walls. The Codex, still vibrating in Leander's hands, seemed to measure the tension.
"The altar awaits us," he said softly. "But it does not give itself up without a test."
"And this Guardian?" Clarisse asked.
"He is not here to kill... not yet. He is here to show us what we fear most."
The suspended chains began to spin, and the skulls fell in a perfect circle around the third altar. Leander and Clarisse advanced, feeling each step weigh tons. The barrier of green light previously formed pulsed gently, but the Guardian stared at it intensely, as if calculating their weaknesses.
Leander opened the Codex: new runes appeared, a mixture of protection and guidance.
"Follow my movements," he whispered to Clarisse. "We must synchronize our energies."
Clarisse raised her hands. The entity within her seethed, but she forced her light to focus. The walls began to tremble. Silhouettes appeared in the shadows: her deepest fears, her past mistakes, every moment she had failed.
"Breathe, Clarisse. Don't let these visions consume you. We are together," Leander said.
The visions drew closer, menacing, until the Codex cast a halo of light that froze the shadows in their positions. The Guardian screamed, his eyes growing redder, and with a gesture, he created waves of energy that distorted reality around the altar.
Clarisse felt the entity within her vibrate in unison with Leander's barrier. She concentrated her fear into power, transforming each vision into pure energy. A brilliant light exploded around them, illuminating the entire room. The Guardian recoiled, surprised, striking the ground hard, but he could not penetrate their union.
"Continue!" Leander shouted. "The altar responds to the combined energy!"
The skulls began to align on the central slab. The light focused on the third altar, which began to open like a stone flower. The chains and shadows receded, and the greenish glow of Clarisse and Leander merged with that of the altar.
6:05 PM
Leander and Clarisse knelt before the stone. The Codex vibrated intensely, projecting symbols into the air. The ancient voice echoed again:
"He who faces his fears and remains whole can cross the threshold. But courage alone is not enough. The soul must be whole."
Clarisse opened her eyes, staring at the altar. The entity within her was calm, ready to help rather than dominate. Leander smiled weakly.
"Here we are. Ready to enter?"
"Always," she replied. "Together."
And as they placed their hands on the altar, a green fissure opened at its center, sucking the energy from the room. The Guardian stepped back, his red eyes flickering like flames, but this time, he could no longer stop them.