After one night of resting, we were back at the pace of searching the Eldorian shard. Alex curiously asked, "Where do you think the shard is present?"
Based on our current experiences, I replied, "It is most likely within the kraken." Everyone knew that this was the answer, but no one wanted to imagine it.
Alex continued, "But how will I defeat it?" I could feel him shivering. Rowan said in the middle, "Don't worry, you have the great Magnus, me, and Lumina. We are pretty strong." He pointed to himself boastfully.
Anna chimed in, "And let's not forget the magic of teamwork. We've faced challenges before, and we've always come out on top when we work together."
Lumina, with her small yet determined voice, added, "Yeah! Teamwork is magical!"
I tried to ease Alex's concerns, saying, "We'll strategize, use our strengths, and ensure everyone stays safe. Facing a kraken won't be easy, but with our combined abilities, we have a shot at success."
Alex nodded, taking a deep breath. "Alright, let's do this. For Lemuria."
We said in unison, "Yes, Uncle!" Alex laughed at this support.
We decided to stride into the marvelous, broken down ruins ahead of us. It might take us off course, but it was worth exploring.
The ruins were a mesmerizing blend of architectural splendor and the quiet decay of time. Crumbling columns and intricately carved walls told tales of a civilization long gone, while mystical symbols and remnants of magical enchantments hinted at the Lemurians' advanced understanding of the arcane.
As we delved deeper, the air seemed to thicken with the ancient magic still lingering within the ruins. Faint echoes of a bygone era whispered through the corridors, carrying secrets and stories of Lemuria's past.
Suddenly, amidst the ruins, we stumbled upon a small campsite. Tattered remnants of a tent fluttered in the gentle breeze, and a makeshift fireplace hinted at a long-forgotten presence. My heart skipped a beat as I noticed a weathered journal lying nearby, bearing the name "Varun Kumar."
I cautiously picked up the journal, a mix of excitement and anxiety coursing through me. Flipping through its pages, I discovered entries chronicling my father's exploration of Lemuria. Detailed sketches, observations, and accounts of magical phenomena filled the worn pages, creating a vivid picture of his journey.
I was shocked by the writing and the research, "My dad has been stuck here for his whole life." It would take some time to explain to everyone, so I drew a memory rune in the journal, and some important moments of my father's life came alive.
The memory rune came into play, and the journal's pages appeared to be magically animated in front of our eyes. The scene unfolded, revealing my father, Varun Kumar, with determination etched on his face, exploring a peculiar mechanism within the ruins.
My father, with his black hair and eyes, kneeled before an ancient portal adorned with mysterious runes. His fingers traced the intricate symbols as he muttered to himself, "There's a connection between these runes and another realm. If I can decipher their meaning, I might unlock the gateway to a different world."
The air hummed with magical energy as he continued his meticulous examination, sketching the runes in his journal with annotations and theories. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as the portal's glow intensified, hinting at the potential for a journey into the unknown.
My father spoke to himself: "These ruins hold secrets beyond our understanding. Perhaps the key to unlocking them lies in another realm, waiting to be revealed."
He continued, "Maybe one day, I can go back home." There was sadness in his eyes. And like that, the scene disappeared.
As the memory rune unfolded, revealing the perpetual struggle and exploration of my father within the mystical ruins of Lemuria, a mix of emotions swept over me. Sweat formed on my forehead as I grappled with the realization that my father had been trapped in this magical realm for what seemed like an eternity.
My sister, Anna, standing beside me, mirrored my astonishment. Her eyes widened, reflecting a shared sense of disbelief and concern. The weight of the revelation hung in the air, creating a somber atmosphere as we processed the profound implications of our father's enduring predicament.
Anna, her voice tinged with a mixture of sadness and determination, said, "Magnus, we need to find a way to save Dad."
I muttered, "Right." Fear was still gripping me.
I flipped through pages for more clues to find my dad. I drew the memory rune on the journal again. The pages came to life again. Another shocking revelation came to us.
As the memory rune continued to unfold, the scenes within the journal transported us to the heart of the Lemurian ruins. The atmosphere grew ominous as my father, Varun Kumar, navigated through the ancient structures, eventually reaching a colossal statue of the kraken.
The statue loomed over the surroundings, its tentacles reaching menacingly towards the heavens. The craftsmanship was so detailed that the stone creature appeared almost lifelike, evoking a sense of terror and awe. The air in the memory felt charged with an unsettling energy.
My father, portrayed with a mix of curiosity and caution, discovered another mechanism near the statue. As he successfully deciphered the runes, a low rumble reverberated through the cavernous space. Suddenly, to his horror, the stone kraken statue came alive, its massive form shifting and animating into a formidable adversary.
As the memory abruptly cut off with the animated Kraken statue advancing toward my father, an overwhelming sense of dread filled the air. The details of the stone creature and the lifelike depiction left an indelible mark on our minds.
"Dad!" I shouted instinctively, the anguish in my voice echoing through the ruins. Anna, beside me, gasped in shock and disbelief. Alex, who had been silently observing, wore a grim expression.
Rowan and Lumina, sensing the rising distress, hurriedly tried to calm us down. Lumina fluttered around, her tiny wings a blur, while Rowan placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
"Magnus, we'll find him. We'll figure this out together," Rowan said, his voice steady but full of empathy.
Alex added, "We won't rest until we find your dad. I promise." He was almost stammering.
But anger surged within me—a potent mix of frustration and helplessness. "No! This can't be happening! I won't let that monster take my dad away from me," I declared, my fists clenched.
The pain of not knowing my father's fate, the fear of losing him to the very ruins he sought to explore, and the frustration of being confronted with the unknown all surged through me. Questions swirled in my mind like a tempest—was he still trapped within the clutches of the kraken? Did he manage to escape? Or was there something even more sinister lurking in the depths of Lemuria?
I always hated him, but seeing him struggle in this trapped place made me feel guilty. It was not his fault.
Suddenly, all my hatred shifted to the Kraken. I turned into my astral form. I could feel a dark aura coming out of me, even though my magic was pure. I turned to everyone around me and angrily said, "I am going to kill that Kraken. Don't try to stop me!"
Like that, I flew to the heart of the ruins. I could hear voices saying things to stop me. My sister, however, said, "Brother! Kill that monster!"
In my astral form, I soared toward the heart of the ruins, a determined aura enveloping me. The surge of magical energy resonated with anger and a desire for vengeance against the monstrous Kraken that had threatened my father.
Reaching the heart of Lemuria, I confronted the intricate mechanism. The carvings on the walls seemed to react to my presence, glowing with an ethereal light. I saw the same scene that my father saw. The ominous, gigantic Kraken looked at me with authority.
With practiced precision, I conjured the runic pattern that Seraphina had taught me, directing my magic to unlock the mechanism.
As the runic pattern illuminated in response to my astral magic, a sudden tremor reverberated through the chamber. The colossal Kraken statue, once dormant, began to stir. Stone tentacles shifted, and the eyes carved from the same ancient stone now glowed with an eerie, malevolent light.
The very air seemed to crackle with otherworldly energy as the Kraken's form detached itself from the stony constraints. Slowly and menacingly, the creature came to life. The ground shook beneath its immense weight, and the cavern echoed with the haunting sound of stone scraping against stone.
The Kraken fixed its gaze upon me, its eyes glowing brighter with an unspoken challenge.
With the Kraken now fully awakened and animated, its colossal form twisted and turned, animated by ancient magic. The ethereal glow in its eyes intensified as it locked onto my astral form, sensing an intruder challenging its domain.
As I conjured protective runes and hurled bolts of astral energy toward the Kraken, it deftly evaded my attacks with swift, serpentine movements. The stone tentacles of the creature lashed out, responding to the dance of my astral magic with a lethal choreography of their own.
Despite my best efforts, the Kraken's magical defenses proved formidable. It countered my every move, deflecting my attacks effortlessly. The air crackled with the clash of opposing forces, and the very essence of Lemuria seemed to pulse with each movement in this duel.
Exhausted and overpowered, my astral form wavered. The Kraken, sensing my vulnerability, seized the opportunity. Stone tentacles wrapped around my ethereal essence, restraining me with a vice-like grip. The ancient creature, with an air of finality, began to drain the astral energy from my form.
I thought that it was my end. I unconsciously embraced my end. A lighting flash cut through the stone tentacle, and the Kraken winced in pain. I began falling to the ground due to my lack of astral energy.
Unexpectedly, strong arms caught me, breaking my fall. As I looked up, still disoriented, my eyes widened with astonishment. The face that greeted me was none other than Alina, though she looked a bit older. Her flaming red eyes bore into mine, and her flowing white hair framed her presence.
"ALINA!"