The Light Beyond Darkness
353 Words
The Last Lantern Keeper
Chapter 2: The Whispering Gate
The ancient gate stood taller than any castle wall Elian had ever seen. It was carved from black stone, covered with glowing symbols that shifted like living stars. Thick iron chains wrapped around it, yet they rattled even though there was no wind.
The lantern in Elian's hand shone brighter than ever.
A cold voice echoed from beyond the gate.
"Open it, Lantern Keeper. Your world deserves the truth."
Elian stepped back. "Who's there?"
Silence.
Then thousands of whispers answered at once.
"We are the Forgotten."
Suddenly, the symbols on the gate began to fade. One of the chains snapped with a deafening crack.
From the shadows behind him appeared a white wolf with glowing blue eyes. Instead of attacking, it bowed its head.
"Follow me," the wolf said.
Elian froze.
"You... can talk?"
"For a little while," the wolf replied. "The lantern gives you the ability to hear the ancient language."
The wolf led Elian into a hidden chamber beneath the tower. Dust covered old books, broken swords, and faded paintings of Lantern Keepers from centuries past.
On a stone table lay a silver map.
As Elian touched it, glowing lines spread across its surface, revealing seven hidden lantern towers scattered across the kingdom.
"The gate cannot remain sealed forever," the wolf explained. "Its magic comes from all seven lanterns. One has already gone dark."
Elian's heart raced.
"If another lantern falls..."
"The gate will open."
A loud explosion shook the tower.
The second chain snapped.
Dark mist poured through the growing crack in the gate. From within emerged a pair of glowing crimson eyes.
A towering shadow stepped forward.
It smiled.
"At last," it whispered.
The lantern flickered for the first time in hundreds of years.
Elian realized the old keeper hadn't died of old age.
He had sacrificed himself to keep the gate closed.
Now that burden belonged to Elian alone.
End of Chapter 2
If you'd like, I can continue with Chapter 3, where Elian begins his journey to find the other six Lantern Keepers before the shadow escapes completely.
- Writer
