The Infinity Curse

CHAPTER 4

Oswin found Maele near the outskirts of the village, the early evening sun casting long shadows across the worn dirt path. Maele stood with his back to Oswin, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon, lost in his own thoughts.

Approaching cautiously, Oswin cleared his throat. "Maele," he began, his voice steady yet tinged with hesitation. "There's something I need to tell you."

Maele turned slowly, his brow furrowed with curiosity. "What is it, Oswin?" he asked, his voice edged with uncertainty.

Taking a deep breath, Oswin met Maele's gaze, his expression serious. 'Three years ago, on the night Kyron disappeared,'' he began, his voice low and measured. "I... I followed him."

Maele's eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across his features. "You followed Kyron?" he echoed, his voice tinged with a mixture of disbelief and intrigue.

Oswin nodded slowly. "I followed him to the cave," he continued, his voice carrying the weight of long-held secrets. "I saw what happened."

"Elias," Kyron's voice echoed off the stone walls, tinged with a mixture of relief and concern. "What have you done?"

Elias turned slowly, his movements sluggish and unnatural. "Kyron," he murmured, his voice distant and hollow. "I've found it. The secret of the Infinity Diamonds."

Kyron's eyes widened in alarm, realisation dawning upon him. "No," he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. "You can't possibly..."

But Elias ignored his brother's protestations, his gaze fixed on the shimmering diamond clutched tightly in his hand.

The air crackled with energy as the diamond glowed with an unearthly light. Elias convulsed, his body wracked with agony as the diamond's power surged through him. Shadows twisted and coiled around him, merging with his form until he was unrecognisable—a grotesque fusion of flesh and crystalline essence.

Kyron watched in horror as the creature that had once been his brother thrashed and roared, its monstrous form towering over him. The diamond had absorbed Elias, mutating his body into a nightmarish amalgamation of human and otherworldly energies.

"Elias!" Kyron cried out, his voice filled with grief and despair. With trembling hands, he raised his sword, the weight of his decision heavy upon him. "I'm sorry," he whispered, tears mingling with sweat upon his brow.

In a swift, decisive motion, Kyron struck, his blade piercing through the creature's heart. A pained wail echoed through the cavern as Elias' monstrous form convulsed and then lay still, the light in its eyes fading into darkness.

Kyron fell to his knees, his sword clattering to the ground beside him. He bowed his head, overcome with anguish and sorrow. The weight of his actions bore down upon him like a crushing weight, the loss of his brother a wound that would never fully heal.

"We need to be prepared," Oswin continued, his voice firm despite the pain etched upon his face. "He..., whatever he has become, will return. And we must be ready."

Maele nodded slowly, the weight of their shared burden settling upon his shoulders. He clenched his fists, determination burning bright within him. "We will be ready," he vowed, his voice tinged with resolve.

As they stood in the fading light of dusk, the village bustling with life around them, Maele's thoughts turned to the looming threat that awaited them. The beast, born of greed and sorrow, lurked in the shadows beyond their reach.

Unbeknownst to both of them, as they parted ways, the creature stirred once more within its hidden lair. Its eyes glowed with a hunger that could not be sated, its mind consumed with thoughts of vengeance and retribution.

The beast stirred from its restless slumber, its massive form trembling with anticipation. It rose from the depths of its cave, its steps echoing through the darkness as it made its way towards the village.

Hey everyone! Hope you enjoyed the fourth chapter. As you know, I release a chapter each week, so follow for updates! And again, this story is finished and all written up already, so I won't miss an update.

-Note, some chapters are shorter and some chapters are longer. Sorry for the botchy fluency.

Aurex7657 <3