The forest seemed darker as they pressed forward. The mist clung to the trees like ghostly veils, and the air grew colder with each passing hour. Alex walked in silence, the Blade of Resonance strapped to his back. The battle with the Shadow Beasts lingered in his mind, their glowing red eyes haunting his thoughts.
Lyra led the way, her movements purposeful yet cautious. She seemed unshaken by the encounter, but Alex noticed her eyes darting to the shadows more often now.
"What's next?" Alex finally asked, breaking the silence.
Lyra glanced over her shoulder. "What do you mean?"
"You said I'm ready for what comes next. What is it?"
She hesitated, her gaze flicking back to the path ahead. "Answers," she said simply. "And more questions."
Alex frowned. "You're not exactly reassuring."
"I'm not here to reassure you, Alex," Lyra replied sharply. "I'm here to make sure you survive long enough to find out the truth."
"The truth about what?"
Lyra stopped suddenly, turning to face him. Her eyes were hard, her expression unreadable. "About that blade. About why you have it. And about what's hunting you."
A chill ran down Alex's spine. He thought back to the moment he'd first held the Blade of Resonance, the strange pull it had on him, as if it had chosen him. "You still haven't told me what you know," he said. "Why are you helping me?"
Lyra's jaw tightened, and for a moment, Alex thought she might not answer. But then she sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Because I've seen what happens when people like you are left to fend for themselves. The Flow is powerful, but it's also dangerous. Without guidance, it can destroy you."
Alex studied her, sensing the weight behind her words. "Did someone help you?"
Lyra's eyes darkened, and she turned away. "That's not important. Let's keep moving."
Frustrated but unwilling to push further, Alex followed her. The tension between them lingered, but the forest soon demanded their full attention.
---
By midday, they reached a clearing where the sun pierced through the canopy, casting golden light on a crumbling stone structure. It looked like an ancient temple, its walls covered in moss and vines. Symbols were etched into the stone, their meanings lost to time.
"What is this place?" Alex asked, stepping closer.
Lyra knelt beside the entrance, tracing one of the symbols with her finger. "A relic of the old world," she said. "Before the Collapse, structures like these were places of worship, knowledge, or power. Now, they're just ruins."
Alex felt a strange pull toward the temple, the same sensation he'd felt when he first touched the blade. "Why does it feel… familiar?"
Lyra stood, her eyes narrowing. "Because this isn't just any ruin. It's tied to the Flow."
The pull grew stronger as Alex approached the entrance, his heart pounding. The air felt thicker, charged with unseen energy. He hesitated at the threshold, glancing back at Lyra.
"Should I go in?"
She nodded. "This is part of your journey. Whatever's inside, it's meant for you."
Alex swallowed hard and stepped inside.
---
The interior was dimly lit, the only light coming from cracks in the ceiling where sunlight filtered through. The walls were covered in more symbols, some glowing faintly. The air buzzed with energy, making the hairs on Alex's arms stand on end.
As he ventured deeper, he came to a circular chamber. In the center stood a pedestal, and on it rested a small, glowing orb. The light it emitted was soft yet pulsing, like a heartbeat.
Alex approached cautiously, his footsteps echoing in the chamber. The Blade of Resonance vibrated against his back, resonating with the orb's energy.
"What is this?" he whispered, reaching out.
As his fingers brushed the orb, a surge of energy shot through him. His vision blurred, and suddenly, he was no longer in the temple.
---
He stood in a vast, open field under a blood-red sky. The ground was scorched, and the air smelled of ash. In the distance, a figure stood, cloaked in shadow.
"Who are you?" Alex called out, his voice trembling.
The figure didn't respond. Instead, it raised a hand, and the Blade of Resonance appeared in its grasp.
"What's going on?" Alex demanded, panic rising.
The figure finally spoke, its voice echoing as if it came from everywhere and nowhere. "You are not ready."
Before Alex could respond, the figure lunged. The Blade of Resonance in its hand glowed with the same light as Alex's, but its strikes were faster, more precise. Alex barely managed to dodge, his body moving on instinct.
He reached for his own blade, and as his hand closed around it, the Flow surged through him. The figure's attacks were relentless, forcing Alex to block and parry with everything he had.
"You hesitate," the figure said, its voice cold. "You doubt yourself."
Alex gritted his teeth, deflecting another strike. "Who are you?" he shouted.
The figure didn't answer. Instead, it raised the blade high, and a wave of energy erupted from it, knocking Alex off his feet.
As he hit the ground, the vision shattered.
---
Alex gasped, finding himself back in the temple. The orb was gone, its pedestal empty. He felt weak, his body trembling from the intensity of the vision.
Lyra's voice called out from the entrance. "Alex! Are you okay?"
He staggered to his feet, gripping the blade for support. "Yeah… I think so."
Lyra entered the chamber, her eyes scanning the room. "What happened?"
Alex hesitated, unsure of how to explain. "I saw… someone. They had a blade like mine. They said I wasn't ready."
Lyra's expression hardened. "A guardian," she said. "The Flow tests those who wield its power. It shows you what you fear, what you lack."
Alex frowned. "But who was it? Why did they attack me?"
"Because the Flow isn't just a gift—it's a responsibility," Lyra said. "And if you're not ready to bear it, it will break you."
Alex stared at her, the weight of her words sinking in. He thought of the figure, its cold voice and relentless strikes. The Flow wasn't just a tool—it was a force that demanded mastery.
"Let's go," Lyra said, turning toward the exit. "We've lingered here too long."
As they left the temple, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that the figure in his vision wasn't just a test. It was a warning. And whatever lay ahead, he knew he couldn't afford to hesitate again.