The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the ancient city as the Guardians wandered through its desolate streets. Kai trailed behind, drawn by an inexplicable pull that seemed to guide his steps. Something about the overgrown path felt familiar, like a memory teetering on the edge of recollection.

Suddenly, a rustling in the weeds ahead caught his attention. From the tall grass, a large dog emerged. Its shaggy brown coat glinted in the fading light, its floppy ears twitching as it regarded him with intelligent eyes.

The dog sat in the middle of the path, cocking its head as if waiting for him.

"Kai?" Reya’s voice called softly from up ahead, but he barely heard her, his focus locked on the animal.

The dog padded forward, its movements graceful and deliberate, and nudged its head under Kai’s outstretched hand. Its fur was warm and soft, a strange comfort in the eerie stillness.

Then, without warning, it gently bit down on his hand—not enough to hurt, but enough to pull him forward.

"You want me to follow you?" Kai asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

The dog’s tail thumped against the ground once before it turned and trotted off, glancing back to ensure he was following.

Kai trailed the dog, weaving through overgrown bushes and crumbled walls. The others, noticing his absence, hurried to catch up.

"Where are you going?" Amaya asked, breathless as she jogged to his side.

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Kai nodded toward the dog ahead. "I think it’s leading us somewhere."

The group followed in silence until they came upon a grand structure partially buried under rubble and overgrowth. What remained of its façade was imposing, its columns cracked but still standing. Carvings adorned the stone, intricate and ancient, depicting scenes of people reading, writing, and gathering in circles.

"A library," Lina whispered, awe in her voice.

The dog walked up to a heavy, vine-covered door at the base of the building and pawed at it before turning to sit on the path. It let out a single bark, then vanished in a burst of light.

"Well, that’s not ominous," Reya muttered, staring at the spot where the dog had been.

Kai approached the door, running his hands over the carvings. "It feels... important. Like it’s been waiting for us."

Amaya pointed to an inscription etched above the doorway, nearly obscured by moss. "Can anyone read that?"

Reya stepped forward, brushing away the vegetation to reveal the words beneath. "It’s old, but I think it says, ‘Knowledge is the key, and unity unlocks all.’"

Lina examined the door itself. "It doesn’t look like it opens easily. There’s no handle or hinge."

Reya knelt to inspect the base of the door. "And no way to dig around it. If there’s another way in, it’s not obvious."

Kai took out the stone tablet he’d found earlier. "Maybe this is part of it."

He held the tablet up, aligning it with a faintly glowing indentation near the center of the door. The tablet clicked into place, and a low hum filled the air.

The carvings on the door began to glow faintly, and the inscription above shimmered with light.

"Okay, now what?" Amaya asked, stepping back cautiously.

The hum grew louder, but the door remained sealed. Reya frowned. "The inscription mentioned unity. Maybe we need to work together somehow."

"Like all of us at once?" Lina asked.

Kai nodded. "It’s worth a try."

The four of them placed their hands on the glowing carvings. The hum deepened, resonating in their chests. A moment later, the door shuddered and began to slide open, revealing a dark, cavernous space beyond.

Cold, stale air wafted out, carrying the faint scent of aged parchment and stone.

Amaya stepped forward, her fire illuminating the space. Rows upon rows of shelves stretched into the shadows, many collapsed or overtaken by vines. Ancient books and scrolls lay scattered, their covers cracked and faded but still intact.

"This place is incredible," Lina said, her voice hushed in reverence.

Kai walked deeper into the library, his steps echoing softly. Despite the decay, the air thrummed with an energy he couldn’t explain. "There’s something here," he said, glancing back at the others. "Something we’re meant to find."

Reya picked up a scroll, unrolling it carefully. "These symbols—they’re similar to what we’ve seen in the temples. Maybe this library holds the answers we need."

Amaya gestured toward a central table, its surface carved with a large map of the city. "Let’s start there. If we’re going to explore, we need to know what we’re looking for."

As they gathered around the table, the library seemed to settle around them, as if welcoming its first visitors in centuries.