Chapter 79: The Path of Thorns
Back in the main chamber, the walls were alive with shifting symbols, now brighter and more animated. The dagger in Natasha's hand glimmered faintly, as if it recognized the progress they had made.
"Last path," Alison said, his gaze settling on the tunnel marked with jagged, thorn-like carvings. "I'm guessing this one's not exactly going to be a stroll through the park."
Natasha gave him a tight smile. "When has it ever been?"
They stepped into the final tunnel, the air growing heavy with the scent of damp earth and vegetation. The walls were overgrown with thorny vines that seemed to pulse with life. As they ventured deeper, the tunnel widened into a vast forest, its trees gnarled and covered in razor-sharp thorns.
"This feels... alive," Alison muttered, his machete ready in hand.
"Stay alert," Natasha warned. "The other trials were illusions and memory traps. This one feels more... physical."
The Living Forest
As they moved through the dense forest, the vines began to shift, slithering across the ground like snakes. One snapped toward Alison, but he sliced it cleanly with his machete.
"Yep, definitely physical," he grunted.
The forest seemed to react to their movements, the thorns growing larger and more aggressive. Natasha's eyes scanned their surroundings, looking for any sign of the shard.
"This place is like a maze," Alison said, frustration creeping into his voice.
Natasha paused, noticing a faint glow in the distance. "That way," she said, pointing toward the light.
They pushed forward, cutting through the thick vines. The deeper they went, the more hostile the forest became. Branches lashed out like whips, and the ground itself seemed to shift beneath their feet.
The Guardian of Thorns
They finally emerged into a clearing, where the faint glow they had seen originated. In the center stood a massive, ancient tree, its trunk twisted and dark. Embedded in its bark was the third shard, glowing faintly.
Before they could approach, the ground trembled, and the tree came to life. Its roots burst from the earth, forming thick, thorn-covered limbs. The creature let out a low, guttural roar, its hollow eyes glowing with green light.
"Of course there's a guardian," Alison muttered, gripping his machete.
Natasha raised her dagger, the two shards embedded in it shining brightly. "We've faced worse," she said.
The guardian lashed out with a massive branch, forcing them to dive in opposite directions. Natasha rolled to her feet, slashing at a root that tried to ensnare her. The dagger cut cleanly through it, causing the creature to recoil.
"It's vulnerable to the shards!" she called out.
Alison nodded, dodging another attack. He moved with precision, striking at the roots and branches that came near him, creating openings for Natasha.
A Deadly Dance
The battle was relentless. The guardian's attacks grew more ferocious, its thorny limbs whipping through the air like deadly spears. Natasha and Alison fought in tandem, their movements synchronized as they chipped away at the creature.
Natasha spotted an opening and darted toward the tree's trunk. The guardian roared, sending a massive root crashing down in her path. Alison intercepted it, slicing through the root with all his strength.
"Go!" he shouted.
Natasha didn't hesitate. She leapt onto the trunk, her dagger glowing brightly. With a swift, decisive strike, she drove the blade into the tree, directly into the shard.
The guardian let out a deafening roar as its body began to crumble, the vines and thorns disintegrating into ash. Natasha pulled the shard free, its light merging with the dagger.
The Final Shard
The forest around them dissolved, leaving them back in the main chamber. The dagger in Natasha's hand now pulsed with an intense, golden light, the power of all three shards united.
Alison collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily. "Please tell me that was the last one."
Natasha smirked, though her own exhaustion was evident. "That was the last one."
The symbols on the chamber walls shifted one final time, forming a new doorway. Beyond it, a blinding light beckoned.
"This is it," Natasha said, helping Alison to his feet.
He nodded, his expression serious. "Let's end this."
Together, they stepped through the doorway, into the unknown.