Forces of ancient dwellings pulsed throughout my body.

Without the proper cautions, it would have consumed me absolutely.

My soul was at battle with a wave of corrupting power.

A power that would lie, cheat, and kill to achieve its goals.

Let us in

You are not enough

With us, you are more than

With us, you could rule the whole realm

Why stop here?

WHY NOT JOIN US!!

ENOUGH!

I answered in turn.

Deepening my calm, I began my own assault.

Humming the song of peace, then the song of enlightenment, and finally-

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

The song of forgiveness.

I could feel the power creeping back, crawling into the crevices which it called home, hiding away.

Knowing that this would be my only opportunity, I produced a talisman seal from my pouch and slammed it on the hieroglyphs…

There came a shake, followed by a roar, then a burst of force that attempted to repel the threats.

But I didn’t budge. I stood firm against the onslaught.

Finally, there came the whimper of resignation.

Where there were once hieroglyphs burning and pulsing were now burnt-out engravings covered by a talisman that glowed with a golden hue.

A calming and familiar feeling rushed over my body, one that always comes after completing goals or massive feats. I felt rejuvenated, invigorated, and stronger.

Something inside my head told me that I would need more of these moments if I wanted to battle the coming storms.

If I wanted to continue my path.

Resting in a pile of shattered debris and rumble, I located a small crater that must have been where the beast had fallen.

Oddly, the remnants of the beast itself were not to be found.

This troubled me, but what was I to do but move on?

In the middle of the crater, there rested a small sack, the loot.

Once in hand, equipping my woodland cloak, followed by an elixir of feathering.

I made my way back up the chasm with new worries and fears.