### **Chapter 10: The Tomb of the Elder**
As they stepped through the doorway, a sense of awe and trepidation washed over the group. Before them stretched a vast hallway, impossibly ancient yet well-preserved, the air filled with the weight of time itself. The walls were lined with intricate carvings, and the stone beneath their feet gleamed faintly, as if holding onto the remnants of some long-lost magic.
"Look at this place," Lyra whispered, her eyes wide with amazement. She knelt to run her fingers along the floor, brushing off a layer of dust. "This material... it’s arcanite, one of the rarest and most expensive materials in existence. I’ve only ever heard of it in legends."
Elias, trailing behind, could only marvel at the grandeur. He had never seen anything like it before. The walls were etched with symbols, some familiar, others entirely foreign, all glowing faintly in the dim light. He could feel the power thrumming through the air, as if the very stones were alive with ancient energy.
"Stay alert," Griffin ordered, his voice low but commanding. His gaze swept over the carvings, his instincts screaming at him to turn back. But it was too late for that now. The door had sealed behind them when they entered.
The group moved forward cautiously, their footsteps echoing in the vast chamber. The hallway seemed to stretch endlessly, twisting and turning as if designed to disorient. But none of them could turn away. Curiosity and the promise of untold power pulled them deeper into the tomb.
After what felt like hours of walking, they came to a stop before a massive door, even more impressive than the one they had entered through. This one was covered in even more intricate runes, shimmering faintly under the faint magical glow of the hall.
"What does it say?" Elias asked, peering closer at the strange symbols. They seemed to pulse in time with his heartbeat, drawing him in.
Lyra squinted, then shook her head. "I don’t recognize this language. It’s nothing like the runes on the entrance."
Before anyone could respond, a sudden whisper filled their minds. It wasn’t a sound, exactly, but a presence, ancient and powerful, slipping into their thoughts like a shadow. As the whisper grew louder, the symbols on the door began to glow brighter, and the meaning became clear.
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“It’s a message,” Soren said, his voice hushed with awe. “A telepathic translation.”
Griffin’s eyes narrowed. "What kind of power could do something like this?"
Soren stepped forward, tracing the glowing runes with his hand. "Only a master of runes, perhaps even a Magic Elder, could inscribe something like this. The runes are so powerful that they bypass language and speak directly to the mind."
They all stared at the door, the translation now echoing in their thoughts as clearly as if spoken aloud:
_"Here lies the tomb of Altherius, Magic Elder of the Forgotten Era. Within these halls rests his legacy. Those who seek his power must prove themselves worthy. Only those who pass the trials may claim the inheritance of the Elder."_
The air grew thick with excitement, the promise of untold power hanging in the air like a tantalizing fruit just out of reach.
"A Magic Elder…" Finn murmured, his eyes wide. "The legends were true."
Lyra's breath caught in her throat. "To think we stumbled upon a tomb like this… The inheritance of a Magic Elder could make someone invincible. This is the chance of a lifetime."
Elias could feel the weight of the words settle over him. The inheritance of a Magic Elder? He had never heard of such a thing, but the very idea sent a shiver down his spine. If this was real, it could change everything—for all of them. But especially for him.
"Hold on," Griffin interrupted, his tone sharp, slicing through the excitement like a cold wind. "This isn’t something to rush into. There’s no telling what kind of trials this ‘Elder’ left behind. The power of a Magic Elder… it’s beyond anything we’ve ever encountered. This could be a trap."
Rhea, who had been silent the entire time, nodded subtly. Her cold eyes flickered over the runes, but she said nothing, her expression unreadable.
"I understand your concerns, Griffin," Soren replied, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "But we can’t turn back now. If there’s even a chance we could inherit this power…"
Griffin looked at each of them in turn, his jaw clenched. They were all eager, blinded by the prospect of the legacy this place held. Even Elias, normally cautious, had a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"Dad" Elias said softly, stepping closer to his father. "I know you’re worried, but what if this is my chance? My chance to finally awaken… I can feel something here, something calling to me."
Griffin’s heart twisted at the look on Elias’s face, filled with so much hope. He knew his son had struggled with his lack of magic, and this tomb might indeed hold something that could change his life forever. But the sense of dread gnawing at him wouldn’t go away.
Griffin sighed, his resolve faltering. "Alright," he finally said, voice heavy with reluctance. "We’ll go through with it. But we move carefully. If anything seems wrong, we stop immediately."
Soren grinned, stepping forward with renewed determination. He placed his hands on the door, his fingers brushing over the glowing runes. With a low, whispered incantation, the runes began to shift and pulse with a more intense light.
Suddenly, the massive door shuddered, the ground beneath them trembling slightly as the ancient mechanisms groaned to life. Slowly, the door began to open, revealing a dark, foreboding chamber beyond.
The group exchanged tense glances, but there was no turning back now. With hearts pounding and magic at the ready, they stepped forward, into the tomb of the magic elder.