THE PATH OF SECRETS
The group walked in silence along the path, illuminated by a faint light that seemed to emanate directly from the ground. The air was denser, almost tangible, and a feeling of unease gripped them with every step. The sound of crunchy leaves under their feet was the only sign of movement in a forest that otherwise seemed suspended in time.
Karion broke the silence, as always unable to restrain his comments. "This looks like something out of one of those legends elders tell to scare children."
Caelithra glanced at him, her usual expression of disapproval in place. "If you're scared, you can go back."
Karion placed a hand on his chest, pretending to be offended."Me? Scared? Never. I'm just thinking about how tragic it would be if the most charming guy in the group mysteriously disappeared in a cursed forest."
Zyrion snorted, his eyes fixed on the path. "If you disappear, Karion, the only thing I'll feel is peace."
"Ow, that hurt!" exclaimed Karion, clutching his heart and pretending to stagger.
Kyrahna couldn't help but smile slightly, though she tried to hide it. "Maybe if you stopped talking so much, you'd avoid attracting trouble."
"But if I don't talk, who's going to cheer up this bunch of long faces?" Karion looked at everyone with an exaggeratedly innocent expression.
Caelithra stepped forward a few paces, ignoring the exchange. "Stop playing around. We're entering a place where any mistake could cost us our lives. Focus."
After what felt like hours, the group reached a clearing where the path ended abruptly at a crystal bridge stretching into nothingness. The structure glowed with its own light, reflecting the colors of the rainbow as if each step were a portal to another world.
"This is amazing," murmured Sylphra, lightly touching the edge of the bridge. "But it doesn't feel natural."
Zyrion nodded. "Definitely a magical construct. We should be cautious."
Gravon crossed his arms, observing the bridge with a mix of disdain and curiosity. "Cautious? This is just a glorified path. I say we cross it and get this over with."
Before anyone could stop him, Gravon took the first step. The bridge seemed to respond, emitting a crystalline sound as waves of light traveled across its surface.
"Wait!" shouted Zyrion, but Gravon was already halfway across.
Suddenly, the bridge began to tremble, and translucent figures emerged from its surface, surrounding Gravon. They were humanoid, but their bodies were ethereal, as if made from the same light as the bridge.
"Who are you?" Gravon asked, showing no fear.
One of the figures spoke, its voice resonating like a melody."We are the guardians of knowledge. No one crosses this bridge without proving their purpose."
"Perfect," said Gravon, adopting a combat stance. "Let's make this quick."
Before Gravon could strike, the figure raised a hand, and the surroundings changed. The group, watching from the edge of the bridge, saw Gravon disappear in a flash of light.
"What did you do to him?" demanded Zyrion, stepping forward.
The figure turned to him. "Each of you will face your own trial. Only those with a pure heart may advance."
Karion laughed nervously. "Pure heart, huh? I think I'm in trouble."
The figure extended its arms, and one by one, the group was enveloped in a glow that transported them to their own trials.
Zyrion found himself in a familiar landscape. It was his home before the war consumed everything. His sister Mirielle's laughter echoed in the air as she ran toward him.
"Zyrion, let's go! Mom's waiting for dinner," she said, tugging at his arm.
Zyrion felt a lump in his throat. He knew it wasn't real, but the desire to stay was overwhelming. "Mirielle… I can't…"
She looked at him, confused. "Why not? Don't you want to be with us anymore?"
Caelithra was in a hall full of mirrors. Each reflection showed a different version of herself: some younger, others bearing scars she didn't recognize. One of the images spoke.
"Why do you keep running?"
Caelithra clenched her fists. "I'm not running. I'm fighting."
"Fighting? Or are you just finding excuses not to face what you truly fear?"
Karion appeared in a tavern filled with laughter and music, his ideal environment. But whenever he tried to join a conversation, people ignored him, as if he didn't exist.
"What is happening here?" he said, frustrated.
A voice responded from the shadows. "Perhaps this is what you fear most: being unseen, unheard. Being irrelevant."
Gradually, each of them overcame their trial, confronting the deepest fears of their hearts. They returned to the bridge, exhausted but determined. Gravon was there, arms crossed, waiting.
"Why did it take you so long?" he said with a teasing smile.
Zyrion looked at him, weary. "And you? What trial did you face?"
Gravon smiled, but his eyes revealed a hint of vulnerability. "Let's just say it wasn't easy, but I'm not one to lose."
The figure reappeared, nodding in approval. "You have passed the trials. Now, the knowledge you seek is closer. But remember, the true challenge is yet to come."
The group advanced together, more united than ever, knowing that what they had faced on the bridge was only the beginning of something far greater.
They continued in silence after crossing the bridge. The landscape changed drastically, transforming into a vast plain covered by a thick blanket of silvery mist. The temperature dropped sharply, and the air seemed charged with electricity. Each step they took echoed as if they were walking on glass, though the ground was a strange mixture of earth and light.
Zyrion looked toward the horizon, noticing how the stars seemed to slowly rotate above their heads. "This is not a normal place. It's as if we are outside of time."
Caelithra nodded, adjusting her cloak against the cold. "It's an interdimensional space. A place created specifically to keep what we're seeking away from the unworthy."
"And how do you know that?" Gravon asked, one eyebrow raised.
Caelithra glared at him. "Because I've read about it. Not everything is solved with fists, Gravon."
Karion, walking behind them, raised a hand as if in class. "Excuse me, but some of us haven't had time to read manuals on mysterious dimensions. Could you explain it less terrifyingly?"
Sylphra, who had been silent, sighed. "What Caelithra means is that this place is designed to test us. What we faced on the bridge was just the beginning. There are probably more traps or trials ahead."
Karion stopped dead, squinting at Sylphra. "And why do you have to say it in such a serious voice? Now I'm genuinely scared."
Kyrahna chuckled softly, though she tried to hide it. "Don't worry, Karion. If anything tries to kill you, Gravon will be happy to crush it first."
Gravon smiled, cracking his knuckles. "That's the spirit. Nothing like a good fight to warm up."
After what felt like hours of walking, the mist began to clear, revealing a massive structure at the center of the plain. It was a black stone altar adorned with faintly glowing golden runes. In the center, a sphere floated, pulsing with energy.
"That's what we're looking for," said Zyrion, feeling his fragment react to the sphere's power.
"Too easy," murmured Caelithra, drawing a dagger from her belt.
"Always so optimistic," replied Karion, cautiously approaching the altar. "Maybe, for once, life is giving us a break."
As soon as Karion stepped onto the altar, a deafening roar shook the air. The ground beneath them trembled, and humanoid figures made of black light began to emerge, similar to those they had faced on the bridge, but these were much bulkier and more hostile.
"Why am I not surprised?" said Gravon, smiling as he drew his weapon.
Zyrion drew his sword and assumed a defensive stance.
"Form a circle! Don't let them separate us."
The creatures charged without warning, moving with astonishing speed. Gravon was first to engage, delivering a powerful blow that shattered one of the figures.
"They're strong, but not invincible!"
Sylphra summoned a whirlwind, deflecting several creatures approaching from the flank. "Zyrion, go for the sphere! We'll hold them off."
"I'm not leaving anyone behind," Zyrion replied, blocking another creature's attack.
Caelithra appeared at his side, moving with almost supernatural precision as her dagger pierced the core of one of the figures.
"It's the only way. If we get what's on the altar, this might stop."
"Good," Zyrion nodded. "But don't take too many risks."
While the rest of the group kept the creatures at bay, Zyrion ascended the altar, feeling the sphere's energy intensify with every step. He could hear a whisper in his mind, as if something inside the sphere was trying to communicate.
"Who are you?" he murmured, extending a hand toward the sphere.
A deep, ancient voice resonated in his mind.
"I am the Guardian of Lost Knowledge. Only those with a pure purpose may claim my power."
Zyrion closed his eyes, focusing on his mission.
"I do not seek this power for myself. I need it to stop the war and protect those who cannot protect themselves."
The sphere seemed to consider him for a moment before emitting a blinding flash of light. The creatures froze in place, as if paralyzed.
"What's happening?!" shouted Karion, shielding his eyes.
When the light faded, Zyrion stood holding a small fragment glowing with overwhelming intensity.
"I've got it," he said, looking at the group with determination.
Before they could celebrate, a new roar echoed in the distance. A giant figure emerged on the horizon, covered in shadows and flames.
"Great," said Karion, sighing. "Because apparently this wasn't complicated enough."
Zyrion secured the fragment and drew his sword again.
"This isn't over. Get ready."
As the creature approached, an explosion of energy stopped it in its tracks. From the shadows, a hooded figure appeared, moving with incredible speed. With elegant movements, they cast a series of spells that forced the monster to retreat.
"Who the hell is that?" Gravon asked, impressed.
The figure lowered their hood, revealing a young, serious face."I am Quindarion, bearer of the Teleportation Fragment. Looks like I arrived just in time."
Zyrion regarded him warily, though grateful for the intervention."Why are you here?"
Quindarion smiled slightly."Because your mission cannot fail. And because the enemy you face is far greater than you imagine."
TO BE CONTINUED…