Chapter 108: The Guardian of the Mountain
714 Words
The forest slowly became thinner as the group continued traveling north.
Towering mountains rose before them like ancient giants, their peaks hidden behind thick clouds.
Cold winds swept down from the mountains, carrying the scent of snow and stone.
Aria could feel the strange pull growing stronger with every step.
It was no longer just a feeling.
It was a call.
Something deep within the mountains was waiting for her.
Kael noticed the way she kept glancing toward the peaks.
“You feel it again,” he said quietly.
Aria nodded.
“It’s stronger now.”
Darius rode slightly behind them, scanning the surrounding forest.
“Well,” he muttered, “I hope whatever is calling you is friendly.”
Roran snorted.
“In ancient temples? Unlikely.”
After several more hours of traveling, the group finally reached the base of the mountain.
The path upward was narrow and steep.
Jagged rocks covered the ground, and patches of snow clung to the shadows of the cliffs.
Kael dismounted from his horse.
“We continue on foot from here.”
Roran tied the horses near a sheltered area between the rocks.
“They’ll be safe here,” he said.
The group began climbing the narrow mountain path.
The wind grew colder the higher they went.
The sky darkened again as thick clouds gathered around the mountain peaks.
Aria suddenly stopped.
“What is it?” Kael asked.
She pointed toward the mountain wall ahead.
There—half hidden beneath layers of ancient stone—stood a massive gate carved directly into the mountain.
The gate was enormous.
At least three times the height of a normal man.
Ancient symbols covered its surface.
Silver markings shaped like crescent moons.
Darius whistled softly.
“Well… that definitely looks important.”
Roran studied the carvings carefully.
“These symbols are ancient.”
Aria slowly stepped closer to the gate.
The silver mark on her arm began glowing again.
The moment she touched the stone—
The entire mountain trembled.
Dust fell from the cliffs above.
A deep rumbling sound echoed through the valley.
Roran grabbed his sword immediately.
“Something’s happening.”
The ground shook again.
Then suddenly—
A massive stone figure moved beside the gate.
Everyone jumped back in shock.
The statue had been standing there the entire time.
But now it was waking up.
Stone cracked and fell away as the enormous figure slowly stepped forward.
It was a giant.
Carved entirely from rock and ancient magic.
Its glowing blue eyes opened slowly as it looked down at the group.
The Guardian of the Temple had awakened.
Darius rubbed his forehead.
“Of course there’s a guardian.”
The giant’s deep voice echoed across the mountain.
“WHO SEEKS THE TEMPLE OF THE FIRST MOON?”
Its voice sounded like thunder rolling across the sky.
Kael stepped forward.
“We come seeking the Moon’s trial.”
The giant’s glowing eyes shifted toward Aria.
Its gaze lingered on the glowing mark on her arm.
For a long moment, it said nothing.
Then the giant knelt.
The entire mountain shook when it lowered itself.
“THE MOON’S DAUGHTER HAS RETURNED.”
Aria’s heart pounded.
“You… know who I am?”
The giant bowed its head respectfully.
“I HAVE WAITED FOR YOUR RETURN FOR MANY CENTURIES.”
Darius blinked.
“Okay… that’s new.”
But the guardian’s voice suddenly turned serious.
“HOWEVER… THE TEMPLE IS NO LONGER SAFE.”
Kael frowned.
“What do you mean?”
The giant slowly turned its massive head toward the dark clouds above the mountain.
“THE BLOOD KING HAS TAKEN CONTROL OF THE INNER SANCTUARY.”
A cold wind swept across the mountain.
Roran looked confused.
“Blood King?”
Aria felt fear creeping into her chest.
“The creature we saw in the clouds…”
The guardian nodded slowly.
“YES.”
Its glowing eyes returned to her.
“YOUR ENEMY WAITS INSIDE.”
The massive stone doors behind the guardian slowly began to open.
Darkness poured out from the ancient temple.
The wind carried a strange whisper from deep within the mountain.
Aria felt the silver mark burn against her skin again.
The trial had begun.
And whatever waited inside the temple… was ready for them.
- Writer
