As a path of supreme darkness

Absolutely! Here's a more relaxed, informal version of the same story — k

It was still early morning when Vishwa, Hitami, and Joseph returned to the Elemental Awakening Sanctuary—this time, not just as villagers, but as champions. Thanks to their wild win in the hunting competition, they now held fragments of the Awakening Stone, their ticket to real elemental power.

The three of them stood at the base of the ancient mountain again, staring up at the towering stone doors.

"I still can't believe this is happening," Hitami said, hugging her cloak a little tighter as a breeze swept through. "I thought people trained for years to do this!"

Joseph smirked. "We're fast learners."

Vishwa said nothing. He just watched the stone gates as they slowly began to rumble open. His hand tightened around the fragment in his palm. It glowed faintly—alive, pulsing with hidden power.

The sanctuary was just as mysterious and grand as before—six elemental pillars surrounded a glowing altar in the center. Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Light… and Dark. Each one hummed with energy, just waiting for someone to connect with it.

"Let's do this," Joseph said, stepping up first.

He placed his stone on the altar, and a fiery pulse surged around him. Red light flared, warming the air.

"No surprise there," Hitami laughed. "Hothead gets fire."

"Hey," Joseph said, flexing a flame-covered fist, "it works."

Next up was Hitami. She hesitated for just a second, then set her stone down.

A soft green light lifted her hair as a swirl of wind wrapped around her gently, playfully.

Her eyes widened. "It's like… the wind's talking to me."

The elder, who had appeared from the shadows again, gave a nod. "The Wind Element. Quick, free, and full of heart."

Hitami grinned. "That sounds just like me."

Joseph clapped her shoulder. "Yup. You're a breeze to deal with."

"Really? That pun?" she groaned.

Then came Vishwa's turn.

He stepped up slowly, quietly. His stone barely made a sound as it touched the altar.

Then... everything went still.

No glowing flame. No breeze. Not even a shimmer.

And then—

The lights dimmed.

The chamber darkened, and shadows stretched across the floor. Everyone stiffened as the Dark Pillar began to glow, deep purple and black swirling at its core.

A low hum filled the space. Thin strands of dark energy drifted toward Vishwa, wrapping around him like silk. They didn't hurt. They didn't burn. They felt… calm. Familiar.

Hitami's eyes widened. "Vishwa…"

The elder stepped forward again. "Darkness. Not evil—only misunderstood. A power of quiet strength and clarity."

Joseph raised an eyebrow. "Dark element, huh? You really are full of surprises."

Vishwa looked at his hands as the shadows faded into his skin. "It doesn't feel scary. It feels… right."

The glow faded, and everything settled.

All three had awakened.

Fire. Wind. Darkness.

Later that night, they found a cozy little inn near the mountain—nothing fancy, just warm food, soft beds, and a spot by the fire.

Hitami leaned back, sipping a cup of cider. "So… we actually did it. We're element wielders now!"

Joseph raised his mug. "To the new power trio of South Crest."

Vishwa chuckled, a small smile on his face. "You guys really think this is just the beginning?"

Joseph leaned forward. "Definitely. Now the real fun starts."

Hitami smiled at Vishwa. "You don't have to walk in the dark anymore. You've got us."

Vishwa looked into the firelight, the mark of the dark element faintly glowing on the back of his hand.

"Maybe," he said quietly, "the dark just needed someone to walk with it."

They clinked cups. Laughed. Ate. Rested.

The night passed peacefully, but in the shadows of the land, something was already stirring. New powers attract new dangers.

And the three friends?

They had only just begun to discover what they were really made of.