Secrets in shadows

Chapter 16: Into the Demon's Realm

The moment Liam and Eliza plunged through the swirling vortex, they were engulfed by a suffocating darkness that seemed to cling to their very souls. The air was thick with an oppressive, malevolent energy that made their skin crawl and their hearts race with fear.

Liam kept his eyes fixed ahead, his determination to rescue Vivian's soul burning brighter than the dread that threatened to consume him. Eliza, her face etched with a mixture of trepidation and resolve, followed closely behind, her senses heightened and her mind racing with contingency plans.

As they descended deeper into the demon's realm, the landscape shifted and contorted, defying the laws of physics and logic. Jagged, ebony spires pierced the inky blackness, their sharp edges seemingly poised to shred the flesh of any who dared to trespass.

Liam's gaze darted from one horrifying sight to the next, his grip on the ancient dagger that he had brought as protection tightening with every step. Eliza, her eyes narrowed in concentration, scanned their surroundings, searching for any sign of Vivian or the demon that held her captive.

The air was thick with the stench of sulfur and decay, and the echoes of agonized screams reverberated through the unnatural caverns, sending shivers down their spines. Liam steeled himself, his jaw set with determination, as he forged ahead, his focus unwavering.

"We must be close," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking any louder might draw the attention of the malevolent forces that lurked in the shadows.

Eliza nodded, her expression grave. "Be on your guard, Liam. The demon will not surrender its prize without a fight."

The pair pressed on, their footsteps muffled by the eerie silence that permeated the demon's realm, each step bringing them closer to their ultimate confrontation with the dark entity that had stolen Vivian's soul.