The storm subsided as dawn broke, leaving the mountains cloaked in a stark, icy silence. The group stood at the edge of a cliff, staring down at the valley below.
The Serpent’s Altar.
The massive stone structure was carved directly into the mountainside, its serpentine motifs twisting and coiling around jagged pillars. Flickering torches lined the perimeter, casting long shadows across the ground.
Mira let out a low whistle. “That’s... ominous.”
“No kidding,” Zain muttered.
Kaede didn’t respond. Her focus was locked on the altar, her sharp eyes scanning for any signs of movement.
“Haruki,” she said without looking at him.
He straightened, surprised she was addressing him so directly. “Yeah?”
“Stay close to me. No heroics this time.”
Haruki nodded, his chest tightening. The sting of her words from the night before still lingered, but he wasn’t going to let her down again.
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THE DESCENT
The group made their way down the narrow path leading into the valley. The air grew colder with each step, and an unnatural stillness hung over the area.
Haruki found himself walking just behind Kaede. Her movements were precise, calculated, and he couldn’t help but admire her focus.
“You okay?” he asked quietly.
Kaede glanced over her shoulder, her expression softening ever so slightly. “I will be once we’re out of here.”
Before Haruki could respond, Zain hissed from up ahead. “Hold up.”
They froze as a low rumble echoed through the valley. Kaede motioned for everyone to get down, her hand on her sword.
“What is it?” Mira whispered.
Zain pointed to the altar. A group of cloaked figures was gathered around the base, their voices low and indistinct.
“Looks like a ritual,” Zain said, his voice barely audible.
Stolen novel; please report.
Kaede’s grip on her sword tightened. “We can’t let them finish it. Haruki, Mira, take the left flank. Zain, you’re with me.”
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INTO THE FRAY
Haruki and Mira moved carefully, keeping low as they circled around the altar. Haruki’s heart pounded as they got closer, the chants growing louder.
“They’re summoning something,” Mira whispered, her voice shaking.
“Something bad,” Haruki agreed, his palms sweating as he gripped his dagger.
On the other side of the altar, Kaede and Zain prepared to strike. Kaede’s eyes burned with determination, her body coiled like a spring.
“Wait for my signal,” she said, her voice a low growl.
The cloaked figures raised their arms, their chanting reaching a fever pitch. A green glow began to emanate from the altar, the air crackling with energy.
Kaede’s eyes widened. “Now!”
The group attacked in unison, their sudden assault breaking the ritual’s momentum. Haruki darted in, his dagger slashing through the nearest figure’s robes. Mira’s arrows flew with deadly precision, each one finding its mark.
Kaede was a force of nature, her sword cutting through the chaos with deadly efficiency.
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THE RITUAL AWAKENS
Despite their efforts, the green glow intensified, and the ground began to shake. One of the cloaked figures, an older man with a scarred face, shouted something in an ancient language.
“What’s happening?!” Haruki yelled, struggling to keep his balance.
“They’re finishing the ritual!” Kaede shouted back, her face set in grim determination. “We need to stop them now!”
The scarred man raised his arms, the glow enveloping him. A massive serpentine creature began to emerge from the altar, its scales shimmering with an unnatural light.
“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me,” Zain muttered, drawing his blade.
Kaede didn’t hesitate. She charged at the man, her sword aimed for his heart.
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A PRICE TO PAY
The man turned, a cruel smile spreading across his face. “You’re too late, little warrior.”
Kaede’s blade struck true, but the man’s body disintegrated into ash, leaving behind only the glowing serpent.
The creature roared, its eyes glowing with malice as it lashed out at the group.
Haruki dove out of the way, barely avoiding the creature’s massive tail. “What do we do?!”
Kaede didn’t answer immediately, her mind racing. Finally, she shouted, “Haruki! The runes on the altar! Destroy them!”
Haruki hesitated, looking at the glowing symbols carved into the stone. “Are you sure?”
“Do it!” Kaede snapped.
With no time to think, Haruki scrambled to the altar, his dagger striking at the runes. The creature roared in pain, its movements growing more erratic with each strike.
Kaede and the others fought to keep the serpent at bay, their weapons barely making a dent in its thick scales.
“Hurry up, Shima!” Zain shouted, narrowly dodging a strike.
“I’m trying!” Haruki yelled, his arms aching as he struck again and again.
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VICTORY AND LOSS
With a final blow, Haruki shattered the last rune. The serpent let out a deafening roar, its body dissolving into green light.
The silence that followed was deafening. Haruki collapsed to his knees, his chest heaving.
Kaede approached him, her face unreadable. For a moment, he thought she was going to berate him again.
Instead, she knelt beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “You did good, Shima.”
Haruki looked at her, surprise flickering across his face. “I—thanks.”
Kaede stood, her gaze turning to the now-silent altar. “But this isn’t over. Whatever they were trying to summon, it’s just the beginning.”