The air in the tunnel was thick and unmoving- every last breath that Ammon took was heavier than the last. Shadows stretched in all directions, the walls alive with faint ancient runes that glimmers like gold veins beneath the stone. The silence was broken only by the sound of dripping water, a sound that seemed to mock the confusion in their heart.
"There are too many paths", Ayden mummured, running his hands along the jagged wall. His torch flickered as though afraid to light the way.
Ammon glanced around the weight of leadership pressing against his chest. "Then we part ways", he said softly, his voice uncertain but resolved. "If fate wills it, we meet again at the other end."
Elara frowned, her face filled with worries. "You should not go alone. The path changes themselves- some leads to places not meant for mortals."
But Ammon smiled faintly. I have been walking paths not meant for me all my life.
Without another word, they separated. Three souls swallowed into maze of ancient passages.
Ammon's path wounds deeper into the earth. The air grew cold and an eerie hum vibrated through the floor beneath his boots.
He couldn't tell how long he had walked when he noticed a fair glow ahead- a warm glowing shimmer that contrast the dark stone.
Cautiously, he approached.
The tunnel open to a vast caverns filled with crystal pillars that pulsed dim light . At its center stood a figure- a towering being of stone and flame, crowded with Vines of silver. It.eyes burns with the same golden hue that filled the chamber.
Ammon froze. The creature was monstrous, with wings like molten glass and claws that shimmers with deadly brilliance. His instincts screamed danger. Drawing his blade, he steadied his breath.
"I won't die here", he said as he charged.
In a motion too Swift to follow, the creature caught his sword with one hand and with the other, gently placed his clawed palm on his chest. The contact was too soft, almost tender. Ammon's blade clattered to the ground.
"Enough ", the creature's voice deep as thunder and calm as breeze. "I have watched your step, since you entered this cruel forest, son of Dravencia."
Ammon blinked in disbelief, "you've watched me?"
The guardian nodded. I am the keeper of the mountain heart. You fight what you do not understand, yet your courage is brighter than your fear. Come- your friends are not far. The shadows close in.
Still wary, Ammon followed. The guardian led him through a passage bathed with golden light. It was strangely peaceful- until a roar shattered the calm.
When they emerged the tunnel, chaos greeted them.
Elara's voice rang through the trees, a desperate cry for help. From above a shadow fell, blotting out the dim light of the forest. The four armed beast descended thunderously, twisting with veins of black fire.
"Elara", Ammon's shout cut through the clearing, but it was too late- the beast had her in claws. It's paused looking them with soulless crimson eyes, then he tossed a scroll to their feet. Then, with a savage flap of his wings, he vanished to distant.
Ammon fell to his knees, clutching the letter. The parchment felt cold against his skin, like if it was written by death itself.
Ayden, read loud, his voice hard.
The girl's life for the golden petals.
- Nogard
For a moment, neither the two spoke, only the wind stirred, whispering through the trees.
Ammon clenched his first, "the Golden Petals", he muttered. "So that's it's aim".
"You know it?", Ayden eyes narrowing.
Ammon nodded slowly. An artifact- of old, said to have the a ability to unseal anything. It's can even awaken what did not exist.
Then maybe, we use it to awaken you. With that, we might stand a chance to defeat Nogard.
Ammon's gaze hardened. At the cost of Elara's .
She is a guardian, Ayden said. Her kind are meant to sacrifice themselves for balance.
This is not only about Elara, it's about every soul Nogard has bound to his curse. After, Nogard was sealed, his soul started facing destruction to protect his soul, he possessed the first guardian, which you see is Elara's mother. Ammon said quite frustrated.
Ayden's jaw tightened, but his eyes betrayed his inner turmoil. "You are walking into death, Ammon".
Ammon looked at the distant mountains glowing faintly in darkness. The weight of destiny pressed against it, but beneath it , something stirred- something faint and defiant.