The spiraling pathway leading towards the Crystal Citadel was a breathtaking testament to Kinnara artistry, crafted from luminous crystal that pulsed with soft, internal light. Intricate carvings lined the walls, depicting the celestial dance and the harmonious songs that once filled this realm. But now, a chilling stillness permeated the air, broken only by Chandrika's soft footsteps and the faint, underlying hum of the Silver Peaks. The silence felt heavy, a constant reminder of the stolen melodies and the diminished light of her people.
As she ascended, she began to encounter remnants of the shadow that had invaded this celestial realm. Patches of a cold, black crystal, devoid of any luminescence, marred the otherwise pristine surfaces. These crystalline growths seemed to absorb the surrounding light and dampen the pervasive hum, creating pockets of oppressive silence. Occasionally, she would glimpse fleeting shadows flickering in the periphery, remnants of the entity that had silenced the Kinnara, though they seemed to shy away from the pure light that still emanated from the citadel above.
The memories of her childhood echoed in the silent corridors. She recalled the vibrant songs that once resonated through these pathways, the laughter of her kin, the feeling of being part of a harmonious whole. Each silent step was a poignant reminder of what had been lost, a sharp contrast to the vibrant life she once knew. A deep ache of sorrow resonated within her, a longing for the lost harmonies and the faces of her family.
Reaching a vast chamber guarded by two statues of winged Kinnara, their forms now still and their crystalline eyes dull, Chandrika paused. The air here was thick with a residual cold, and the oppressive silence was almost absolute. A sense of dread washed over her. Had the shadow reached even this far?
As she stepped into the chamber, a faint whisper echoed through the stillness, a distorted echo of a Kinnara melody, twisted and corrupted. From the shadows behind one of the statues, a figure emerged. It was a Kinnara, but warped and contorted, its luminous skin now a sickly grey, its delicate wings tattered and black-edged. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent red light, mirroring those of Kalanemi's darkspawn.
A choked gasp escaped Chandrika's lips. "What… what have they done to you?"
The corrupted Kinnara let out a grating, discordant sound that was a horrifying parody of their once-melodious voices. It lunged at Chandrika with surprising speed, its touch radiating a bone-chilling cold that threatened to extinguish her inner light.
Despite her lack of combat training, Chandrika reacted instinctively. Drawing upon the faint echoes of the Nada Brahma that still resonated within her, she focused her will, and a pulse of silvery light erupted from her hands, striking the corrupted Kinnara. The creature recoiled with a hiss, the pure light momentarily disrupting its shadowy form.
The ensuing struggle was desperate and sorrowful. Chandrika avoided direct confrontation, using her agility and the bursts of light to keep the corrupted Kinnara at bay. Each distorted sound it made, each flicker of its corrupted wings, was a painful reminder of the beauty that had been twisted. It was a battle not just for survival, but for the memory of her people.
Finally, with a surge of focused energy, Chandrika unleashed a more potent wave of silvery light, striking the corrupted Kinnara directly. The creature shrieked, its shadowy form dissolving into wisps of black smoke that dissipated into the oppressive silence.
Exhausted but resolute, Chandrika continued her ascent, the encounter serving as a grim reminder of the pervasive reach of the shadow and the terrible cost of its invasion. The path to the Crystal Citadel was not just a physical climb, but a journey through the remnants of a fallen harmony, a silent lament for her silenced people.