They finally reached the last stretch of the seemingly endless corridor: a dark opening that led to an ascending spiral staircase. It was narrow, forcing them to go single file, one by one. Zari was exhausted. Climbing, descending, turning... “When this is over, I won’t set foot on the ground for a long time. I’ll go everywhere on a donkey. Or a horse. Or better yet, in a carriage, like a proper lady,” she thought, panting with the effort of climbing.

They moved slowly, waiting for the person ahead to leave enough room to continue. Every three floors, a narrow loophole opened to the outside, allowing some light to filter in and illuminate the staircase. Below each window was a stone ledge, likely intended for a guard to sit while keeping watch. Zari used every one of these crude benches to collapse and rest briefly. Her legs ached. They had climbed at least nine floors before finally reaching the top.

It was a spacious, oval-shaped room with a larger window. As soon as they arrived, they startled a few pigeons, which fled in a flurry. The birds had made this their home, and the group had to cross the room carefully, avoiding several nests built directly on the floor amidst droppings, feathers, and the rotting remains of old wooden furniture that had long succumbed to decay.

The room led to another curved hallway descending a few steps. “All that climbing just to go down again?” Zari thought. But soon they stepped onto a long terrace that followed the contour of a vast circular chamber. To their left was the wall, rising to meet the ceiling a few yards above them, while to their right were a series of pointed arches opening to the interior. A waist-high wall protected against an undesirable fall. They crept closer, peering over the ledge.

Though an opening at the apex of the ceiling let daylight through, it was insufficient to fully illuminate the space, which remained shrouded in shadows. As their eyes adjusted to the darkness, they made out the massive stone head of a serpent emerging from the gloom, crowning a giant statue.

It depicted a naked woman, rising from the ground, about forty feet below, almost touching the vaulted ceiling. In her right hand, she held a spear as tall as she was. Her left arm supported a long stone shield, resting against the floor. Between her legs, she guarded an entrance covered by a heavy block of some dark, shiny material, smooth and polished like obsidian, with no visible markings. At her feet was a staircase descending to the center of the chamber, which was ringed by another arcade following the perimeter. This was the grand main hall of the Temple—the Serpent’s Door.

“By the gods, we’ve finally made it,” Alaric murmured.

“The door…” Lysa said, entranced. Her eyes gleamed strangely.

Everyone felt a mix of relief and anxiety at having finally reached their destination.

Everyone except Edel. Zari noticed. Until now, her mother had been strong and tireless, but at the sight of the dark door, it seemed as if the weight of the world had fallen on her shoulders.

“Are you alright, Mother?”

Edel sat with her back against the ledge and let out a sigh. She smiled as she replied.

“Yes, my dear. It’s just… I didn’t remember how that black door looked. Or rather, I think I wanted to forget it. But we’ve arrived, and that’s what matters.”

Lysa approached as well, checking on her. Edel took both their hands and looked at them seriously.

“My girls, this is the end of the road. You must be strong, use what you’ve learned over the years. What awaits us down there will be the ultimate test. If we fail, it will be the end of everything. Our only option is to triumph.”

“Shh, silence! I hear something…” Alaric interrupted, waving his hand.

Below them, distant footsteps echoed closer. Suddenly, a chain reaction of flames lit the torches mounted on each column, as if triggered by some nearby presence. Bright orange light flooded the chamber, illuminating the massive serpent-woman statue from below, giving it an even more sinister aura. Soon, they saw soldiers entering the hall. They instinctively crouched, but from their elevated position and under the cover of shadows, they remained unseen.

Peeking cautiously, Alaric almost cried out, but Rendel clamped a hand over his mouth just in time.

Three more soldiers had entered. They recognized the tallest of them—it was the captain of the guard they had met in the Count’s castle. The others dragged a large man behind them. There was no doubt; it was Crab. They tied him to a column near the door.

And then Marcell entered, arm in arm with the red-haired woman.

“Damn them. Why tie Crab there?” Rendel whispered, frowning.

“They need him as bait,” Alaric replied grimly. “But I don’t understand what they’re planning. Did they really expect us to come through the main entrance, dodging or fighting all their troops?”

“Marcell and Lenna. The cursed siblings,” Zari murmured thoughtfully.

“We have to free Crab,” Rendel said.

“And take the Count’s amulet,” Lysa added.

“But how will we do it?” Zari asked. They were clearly outnumbered.

The three of them looked at Edel and Alaric, who exchanged a knowing glance and nodded.

“We have a plan,” Alaric finally said. “We came up with it last night while you were sleeping.”

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“You came up with it? Without us? What, you didn’t think our opinions mattered?” Lysa snapped, anger rising.

“Don’t be mad at him, my dear. It was my idea,” Edel replied, her tone soothing.

Her sister sat back down, visibly upset. She probably had more to say but held it in to listen. She didn’t like being left out either, but she trusted her mother. And Alaric. Edel gathered them in a circle to discuss the plan.

“Listen to me. I must be the one to face that thing. But I can’t do it with those soldiers there.”

“That’s why we thought you, Lysa, could handle them,” Alaric continued. “Like you did that time in the alley in Rocavelada.”

“Consider it done. But remember, channeling that much Power will leave me exhausted.”

“That’s why Zari will come with me and keep us safe if anything goes wrong.”

“That works for me, I’ll be ready,” she replied. “But what about Brisur? And the Count?”

“I’ll handle him,” Alaric said. “I have something in mind, though I’m not sure it’ll work. Meanwhile, Wart will take care of freeing Crab.”

“Consider it done,” the boy said enthusiastically.

“Any questions?”

Before anyone could speak, they heard voices and shouting growing louder below. They cautiously peeked over the edge. The captain was speaking. His sword was drawn, and he was pointing it at the red-haired witch.

“What’s going on?” Rendel whispered at her side.

“Shhh, quiet, I can’t hear.”

She strained her ears, but he was too close—almost cheek to cheek with her.

“Hey, don’t get too cozy!” she muttered playfully, giving him a light elbow jab. Once he moved back a little, she finally caught some of what was being said below, at the base of the statue. It was the captain, speaking with a pleading tone.

“I beg you, my lord. It’s not too late to end this madness. I followed you here, hoping it was just an old legend—or if it was real, that only ruins remained. But it’s time to put an end to this. Leave that medallion behind and return to your castle with me.”

“Oh, come now, Kracio. Stop threatening my sister with that blade. You’re backing out now, when we’re so close?” the young man said, hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

“She is not your sister,” the captain retorted, his tone now openly angry. “You said so yourself—she died as a child. To me, she’s a stranger. She appeared a few days ago, and I don’t even know from where. She struts around the men, acting as if she knows them—as if she has the right to command them! The soldiers don’t trust her. And I trust her even less.”

“My dear Captain, your words wound me. After everything we’ve been through together… Why, we even shared a bed and a lover…” the woman mocked with a soft laugh.

“See? She’s insane!”

“Kracio, I understand your concern. But I am still your lord. If I tell you she is my sister and that you must obey her, that should be enough for you.”

“That’s not all. I’ve been looking into this medallion… this key you mentioned. I’ve found old stories—legends mixed with rumors and tales. But in the end, they all say the same thing. If you open that door, it will be the end of this world. I’m an old man; I’ve lived long enough and don’t have much to lose. But my daughter has her whole life ahead of her, and I won’t let you destroy—”

The captain abruptly stopped as if something had interrupted him. He dropped his sword and drew his dagger. Zari caught the faint violet glow in the red-haired woman’s eyes. A pool of blood began forming at the captain’s feet as he slowly slit his own throat. Moments later, his body collapsed lifelessly, like a discarded puppet. The soldiers glanced at one another nervously but did nothing.

“Oh, Kracio! So many years serving my family, so many years under my command, only to ruin everything at the last moment. What a pity,” the young man said, crouching beside the body.

“You served me well, and I don’t blame you. I have my doubts too. But I don’t have the strength to resist,” he whispered into the captain’s ear. Then he stood and kicked the body down the stairs. He turned to his sister, sighing. “Well. All we can do now is wait, right? I still think they won’t make it. My troops will catch them at the door.”

“That’s right, dear, we just need to wait. But not much longer. I’m certain I’ll win this wager. I can feel our guests are very close. And they’re bringing us what we need. The Guardian.”

Suddenly, Zari saw the woman lift her gaze, smiling. Right in their direction. She could have sworn the woman even winked at her. Terrified, she ducked down. Then she quickly moved toward Alaric, who was silently descending the stairs.

“Alaric! Alaric!” she whispered urgently.

“What is it, Zari?”

“That woman… Lenna. I think she saw me. I think she knows we’re here.”

He looked at her seriously for a moment before continuing.

“I know.”

He kept going, leaving her behind, stunned, as the others passed her. What was Alaric’s plan, really? If that creature already knew, why hadn’t it alerted the guards? She felt someone grab her hand and pull her along. It was Rendel.

“Come on, Zari, this isn’t the time or place to freeze up. I’ve got your back.”

She didn’t answer. She just nodded and walked mechanically. Her legs were shaking. But this time, it wasn’t from exhaustion. This time, it was pure fear.