The girls found themselves standing in a desert,looking defeated, they did not know the guardians of the realms could be this cruel .
The desert stretched before them-an expanse of shifting dunes, relentless sun, and secrets buried beneath the sands. Keisha, Matilda, Tori and Zenid stood at the threshold, their exhaustion from previous realms replaced by determination. The desert was their next trial-a spiritual realm, where forgiveness and redemption awaited and a chance to reverse time.
As they stepped onto the sun-baked sand, illusions danced and a shimmering oasis in front of them .
"Stay focused,"Tori warned. "The desert plays tricks. Our artifacts won't save us here."
As they walked in the desert , the desert winds carried echoes-their own doubts, and their guilt.
The desert symbolized solitude-a vast emptiness where introspection thrived. All their spiritual weapons felt heavy on them.
It felt like they had been walking for days, the sun bore down at them as a relentless judge. Their skin was blistered, their throats parching .
" Even our spiritual cores ain't protecting us from this burning sun , we might pass out " Matilda complained . The other girls just continued walking , they had no time for drama ,they were also exhausted but did not dare to say it out loud .
After walking for hours they finally got close to the corpse pine trees , behind them was the Bloodstone Pact Chamber.
There it was , Infront of them at the heart of the desert - the bloodstone chamber. Its walls pulsed with memories.
" I don't know about this but we have to get in there " Keisha said.
" Obviously it's not like we have an option" Zenid added .
Carefully entering the chamber , their hearts raced , this was scary but they needed to find a way back home ...the bloodstone chamber 's walls were throbbing like veins.Shadows danced freely ,their forms shifting .... strange.
The bloodstones pact center held the Firestone of immortality, a shard of forgiveness. As they touched it, a voice sounded in the chamber ,a strange figure appearing, Its eyes held the weight of eons, and its voice echoed like distant winds....
"Step forward,"the bloodstone figure intoned. And so the girls stepped forward with fear in their hearts but still kept straight faces .
"Each grain of sand holds a memory-the choices you regret,and the paths untaken." The figured intoned ..
"I know your regrets and your deepest secrets , which is why I won't use them against you , and I see his weary you all look ,so instead of punishing you , you will solve a simple riddle for me " the bloodstone figure said with an echoing voice .
" We will solve the riddle ". Keisha said looking desperate for freedom .
"Yes we will " Tori added as the rest of the girls nodded .
"Good then "
"I will say it once ....' I am a reflection of what is ,yet but never was . Seek me ,in the shifting sands ,boring in the morning,yet I die in the evening,but still remain eternal . Who and what am I? ...
The girls looked at each other, that's not one riddle, those are four riddles combined,but only two answers are important .
The girls went and stood a bit far from the figure as they brought their heads together thinking of the answer , they each contributed and thought carefully before going close to the figure .
When they had carefully decided , they joined hands ,as they said the answer at the same time - their voices echoing across the chamber.
" You're..The mirage"s enigma hiding in the whispering echoes in the desert sands".. The girls exchanged glances , their answers had to align with the crypts gate of the realm ,for it to open .
Their hearts were racing , they had to get it right , although they already knew their minds are as sharp as the desert winds ,but they were still worried.
The figure looked at them amused , and gladly smiled as it stepped back . The crypt trembled. The sands swirling , absorbing their answer. The bloodstone figure's eyes softened.
"Resolve,"it said. "You've faced regret, temptation, solitude, and sought forgiveness. The crypt opens and you don't need to worry your time has been reversed "
With that the figure vanished showing the crypt a portal infront of them with-a shimmering veil. The girls stepped through, their resolve tested, their hearts lighter. The desert whispered its approval-their redemption unfolding.
And as they vanished into the sands, the Crypt Guardian watched -as it was the keeper of secrets, the judge of souls. With its duty fulfilled, it settled back into the dunes, awaiting the next seekers.
But the girls had to see if the portal was going to lead them back home or this was another trap ....
To be continued....