The storm had passed, leaving the air crisp and charged with energy. Willie and Ghoida stepped out of the cave, their footsteps crunching against the damp ground. Above them, the sky islands floated serenely, glistening from the recent rain.
“You think the Wraithborn is gone for good?” Willie asked, glancing back at the cave.
Ghoida tightened her grip on her sword. “Gone for now. Creatures like that don’t disappear forever. We should keep moving before it decides to come back.”
They followed a narrow path that led them closer to the heart of Ventosca, where towering spires of rock jutted into the clouds. The winds grew stronger as they ascended, carrying faint whispers that sent chills down Willie’s spine.
“Do you hear that?” he asked, pausing to listen.
Ghoida frowned. “The wind?”
“No, it’s something else,” Willie said, tilting his head. “It sounds like… voices.”
Ghoida stopped beside him, her eyes narrowing. “This place is full of strange things. Don’t let it mess with your head.”
They pressed on, but the whispers grew louder, forming incomprehensible words that seemed to swirl around them. Willie’s steps faltered as he clutched the crystal in his satchel.
“It’s the crystal,” he realized aloud. “It’s reacting again.”
“Great,” Ghoida muttered. “We’re either heading straight into a trap or finding more trouble. Probably both.”
As they rounded a bend, the path opened into a vast expanse. A colossal structure loomed ahead—an ancient temple built into the side of a cliff. Its surface was adorned with intricate carvings that shimmered faintly in the light.
“Another ruin,” Ghoida said, her tone guarded. “Let’s be quick. These places never end well.”
The entrance to the temple yawned open, revealing a staircase that descended into darkness. Willie hesitated, glancing at Ghoida.
“You’re sure about this?” he asked.
“No,” she replied, stepping forward anyway. “But standing around won’t get us answers.”
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
The air inside was cold and still, carrying a faint metallic scent. Their footsteps echoed as they descended, the glow of the crystal illuminating the walls. The carvings depicted scenes of battles between humans and monstrous creatures, their forms distorted and grotesque.
“These carvings,” Willie murmured, running his fingers over one. “They’re different from the others we’ve seen. It’s like they’re telling a story.”
“Let’s hope it has a happy ending,” Ghoida said, scanning their surroundings.
They reached a chamber at the bottom of the stairs. In the center stood a pedestal, atop which rested a circular artifact etched with runes.
Willie approached it cautiously. “This… looks important.”
“Important enough to trigger a trap,” Ghoida warned.
As if on cue, the chamber trembled. Dust rained down from the ceiling, and the sound of grinding stone echoed around them. The walls shifted, revealing hidden alcoves from which emerged humanoid figures clad in ancient armor. Their movements were stiff and mechanical, their eyes glowing with the same light as the crystal.
“Guardians,” Willie whispered, backing away.
“They don’t look friendly,” Ghoida said, drawing her sword.
One of the guardians lunged at her, its blade slicing through the air. She parried the attack, sparks flying as their weapons clashed.
Willie scrambled to avoid another guardian, ducking behind the pedestal. His heart raced as he searched for a solution. “Ghoida, I think the artifact is the key! We need to grab it!”
“Then grab it!” Ghoida shouted, fending off two guardians at once.
Willie reached for the artifact, but the moment his fingers touched it, the runes flared brightly. A wave of energy surged through the chamber, throwing him backward.
The guardians paused, their movements stuttering as if confused. Ghoida seized the opportunity, striking one down with a swift blow.
“Willie, whatever you did, do it again!” she yelled.
Willie staggered to his feet, clutching the artifact. Its runes glowed faintly now, as if awaiting a command. He closed his eyes, focusing on the impressions he felt from the crystal.
“Awaken…” a voice whispered in his mind.
The artifact pulsed, sending out another wave of energy. This time, the guardians froze completely, their forms crumbling into dust.
Ghoida lowered her sword, breathing heavily. “What just happened?”
“I don’t know,” Willie admitted, staring at the artifact in his hands. “But I think this is more than just a relic.”
“Great,” Ghoida said, wiping sweat from her brow. “Another thing to add to our list of mysteries.”
As they ascended back to the surface, the whispers from the wind returned, clearer now. Willie couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched, their every step guided by an unseen force.
“What now?” Ghoida asked as they emerged into the light.
Willie glanced at the artifact, its runes faintly glowing in the daylight. “We keep going. There’s more to this than we understand, and I think this artifact might be the key to finding answers.”
“And probably more trouble,” Ghoida added.
Willie smiled faintly. “Wouldn’t be much of a journey without it.”
The two pressed on, their resolve unwavering as they ventured deeper into the unknown.
> End of Chapter 8