The ship sailed toward the jagged mountain peak in the distance, its flame-like glow growing stronger with every passing moment. The stillness that followed the eerie whispers weighed heavily on everyone, and the crew moved about with uneasy glances toward the sky, where the dark clouds swirled ominously.
Kael stood at the bow, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Lyra, Seraphina, Borin, and Thorian stood close by, each preparing in their own way for whatever awaited them at the mountain.
"The light is too steady, too controlled," Lyra muttered, her eyes never leaving the peak. "There's powerful magic up there. I can feel it."
Thorian nodded in agreement. "The Old Ones could have hidden something there—an ancient source of power, or even the Eternal Flame itself. If this is their doing, we must be careful. We don't know what kind of traps or defenses may be in place."
Borin gripped his axe and let out a gruff chuckle. "Traps or no traps, nothing's going to stop us now. Let's get to it."
Seraphina's gaze was distant, though her hands reflexively tightened around the hilts of her daggers. "The whispers on the wind... it almost felt like they were calling out for help. But why lead us here?"
Before Kael could answer, Captain Thorne shouted from the helm. "We've reached the shore. Prepare to disembark!"
The companions gathered their gear and climbed into the rowboat, Thorne's crew lowering them into the water. As they rowed closer to the shore, the dark shape of the mountain loomed over them, its sheer cliffs and jagged rocks giving off an almost malevolent presence.
But there was something more. As they approached the beach, the dense fog that had clung to the sea parted, revealing a narrow path leading inland. Tall, ancient trees lined the path, their thick branches twisting and intertwining to form a natural archway, casting long shadows over the trail. The air was filled with the scent of damp earth and pine, and the oppressive weight of magic hung heavy in the atmosphere.
As they stepped onto the shore, Lyra shivered. "This place… it feels old. Older than the island, older than any magic I've ever encountered."
Kael tightened his grip on his sword. "Let's stay sharp. Whatever led us here, it's not welcoming us with open arms."
They moved cautiously down the path, the silence around them broken only by the soft rustling of the trees in the wind. The light from the mountain's peak glowed faintly through the branches, always just out of reach.
After what felt like hours of walking, they reached a clearing. At its center stood a massive stone circle, its ancient carvings glowing faintly with arcane energy. In the middle of the circle was a large tree, towering above the others, its bark pale and shimmering as though touched by the light of the moon. Its roots spread out like veins across the ground, curling around the stones and sinking deep into the earth.
Lyra's eyes widened. "This is a Sacred Grove. A place of power where the Old Ones performed their most potent rituals. The tree at the center… it must be connected to the magic that protects this place."
"Does that mean this is the source of the Eternal Flame?" Kael asked, stepping cautiously into the clearing.
Lyra shook her head. "Not the flame itself, but it could be the key to finding it. The energy flowing through this grove is immense. If we can unlock its secrets, we may be able to—"
Before she could finish, the ground beneath their feet trembled, and a low rumbling sound echoed through the grove. The tree's branches shook, and the light from the carvings flared brighter.
From the shadows at the edge of the clearing, figures emerged—tall, humanoid shapes with skin like bark and eyes glowing green with the same arcane energy that filled the grove. Their movements were slow but deliberate, and the magic that radiated from them was unmistakably ancient.
"Forest guardians," Thorian whispered, his eyes wide. "They were created by the Old Ones to protect sacred sites like this."
The largest of the guardians stepped forward, its voice a deep, resonant sound that seemed to echo through the very earth. "You trespass in a place of power, outsiders. Leave now, or face the wrath of the forest."
Kael stepped forward, his hand raised in a gesture of peace. "We mean no harm. We seek the Eternal Flame, to prevent a great darkness from rising."
The guardian's eyes narrowed, its gaze shifting from Kael to Lyra. "The Eternal Flame is not for mortals to find. It is bound to this world by ancient magic, and only those who prove themselves worthy may pass."
"How do we prove our worth?" Lyra asked.
The guardian extended a massive arm, pointing toward the tree at the center of the grove. "The tree holds the memory of the Old Ones. If you can unlock its knowledge, the path to the flame will be revealed."
Lyra stepped forward cautiously, her fingers glowing with arcane light as she reached out toward the tree. The moment her hand touched the bark, the carvings on the stones flared brighter, and a wave of energy surged through the grove.
Lyra gasped as the magic flowed through her, her mind flooded with visions of ancient rituals, battles long forgotten, and the creation of the Eternal Flame itself. She saw the Old Ones binding the flame to the earth, using it to seal away a great evil that had threatened to consume the world.
But then, she saw something else—a figure cloaked in shadow, moving through the darkness, searching for the flame. The figure's face was hidden, but its presence filled her with dread.
She pulled her hand away from the tree, her breathing heavy. "The Eternal Flame… it was created to seal away an ancient evil. But now, something—or someone—is trying to release it."
The guardians watched her closely, their glowing eyes unreadable. "You have seen the truth," the leader said. "But the path ahead is fraught with danger. If you seek the flame, you must be prepared to face the darkness that guards it."
Kael nodded. "We will. We have no choice."
The guardian stepped aside, allowing them to pass. "Then follow the winds. They will guide you to the heart of the mountain. But beware—the Eternal Flame is not the only thing that awaits you there."
With that, the guardians melted back into the shadows, and the grove fell silent once more.
Kael turned to his companions, his expression grim. "Let's move. The mountain's waiting."
And with that, they continued their journey, the weight of the task ahead pressing heavily on their shoulders.