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Chapter 4 – The Guardian of the Threshold
The Threshold stretched endlessly before Kaelen, a forest of golden trees and shimmering shadows that seemed alive with silent observation. The cloaked stranger walked beside him, a calm presence in the surreal chaos.
"You must understand," the stranger's voice echoed in Kaelen's mind, "the Threshold is not merely a passage—it is a test. Every creature here is a guardian of realms, of secrets, of power. They will strike without warning."
Kaelen's heart thudded in his chest. "Strike? How… how do I fight them?"
"You do not merely fight, Kaelen. You respond. You adapt. You survive."
Before he could question further, a roar shattered the silence. From the shadows, a massive creature emerged, taller than any tree, with scales like molten bronze and eyes that glowed white-hot. Its limbs were sharp as blades, and it moved with terrifying speed. Kaelen froze, instinctively raising his hands.
The sigil on his arm flared bright blue, sending a pulse of energy through him. The creature hesitated, as if recognizing the mark. Kaelen felt a surge of power, a rhythm connecting him to the forest, the air, and the creature itself.
Focus, he reminded himself. Control it.
The creature lunged. Kaelen sidestepped, instinct guiding him more than thought. He extended his hand, and a stream of blue light shot forward, wrapping around the creature's leg. It roared and twisted, but the energy held firm, pulsing with his will.
"You are learning quickly," the stranger said, his voice calm but commanding. "But raw power will not be enough. Trust your senses, Kaelen. Listen to the Threshold."
Kaelen closed his eyes briefly, feeling the energy of the forest, the pulse of magic, the faint heartbeat of the creature. He moved instinctively, directing his power not outward to destroy, but inward to bind and guide. The creature froze, caught in a web of his energy, its eyes wide with surprise.
Then, almost reluctantly, it bowed its massive head. Kaelen stepped back, breathing heavily, his hands still glowing. The guardian did not attack again; instead, it receded into the shadows, leaving him with a silent warning in its gaze.
"You see?" the stranger said, lowering a hand. "The Threshold tests more than strength. It tests will, control, and perception. The gods are watching, Kaelen. And they notice those who survive."
Kaelen's mind raced, the thrill and fear mixing together. He had passed his first trial, but he knew this was only the beginning. The Threshold was alive, the realms converging, and his path had only just begun.
He glanced at the stranger. "What comes next?"
The figure's eyes shimmered with starlight. "Next, you learn to walk among gods—and to survive them."
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