The air was crisp and clear as Jasper, Lyra, Finn, and their new guide Raylan began an upward climb from the cave.
Indeed, with every step further, the ground turned from sand and dunes to rockier terrain. Onwards loomed the mountains, tall and silent giants standing guard.
Raylan took the lead, the steps sure with confidence, guiding them toward a fortress where the next altar was concealed.
Jasper felt both excitement and trepidation at once. There would indeed be another altar that, when destroyed, would bring them one step closer to weakening Malachar, but the risks outweighed those before.
Malachar's soldiers would be waiting for them, and they didn't know what kind of dark magic might guard the altar itself.
They walked in silence for most of the morning to save their energy for the climb ahead. Reaching the foothills of the mountain, Raylan suddenly stopped and turned to them with a serious face.
"These mountains are treacherous," he said in a low tone. "There are hidden paths and steep cliffs. One wrong step, and you'll find yourself tumbling down. Stay close and follow my lead.
The three nodded, their faces somber at the weight of his warning. Dangers had come their way thus far, but something with this journey felt different.
It hung in the air-a sense of tension tight-and the mountains looming in front of them were like giants, silent and unobtrusive, yet watching every step taken.
They began the ascent, making cautious moves up a winding trail that wrapped up the side of the mountain. The path was steep and irregular, jagged rocks jutting at odd angles.
Jasper concentrated on every step, his footwork sure before proceeding to the next. Lyra and Finn did the same, while Raylan moved with natural ease, his eyes seldom cast down as he climbed.
The higher they went, the colder it became. Jasper shivered, drawing his cloak tighter about him. He could see his breath in that chill mountain air; muscles ached from the exertion of the climb. Yet, he pressed on, intent to reach the fortress.
After what seemed to him hours, they came to a ledge where they might take respite. Raylan looked over his shoulder, nodding with approval at their progress.
Not bad for a group of young adventurers," he said with a grin. "Most people would never make it this far."
Jasper managed a slight smile, though he was too exhausted to say much. Lyra and Finn were equally as tired, but neither of them complained. They knew the journey was far from over.
Raylan pointed forward at a small passage between two high rock walls. "The fortress is just beyond that pass. Once we get through, we are in hostile territory. Keep your guard up and stay quiet.
They followed him through the pass, doing their best to be silent. The path was dark and narrow, with high walls to either side that seemed to close in on them.
Jasper felt a sense of claustrophobia creeping in. He made himself be calm. They were near now; he could feel it.
As they emerged from the pass, the fortress came into view. It was a huge stone structure built into the side of the mountain, high walls, and watchtowers commanding over the valley below. Soldiers paced upon the walls, their dark armor shining in the sun.
Jasper's heart thudded at the sight. This fortress was unlike anything they had faced before.
Raylan motioned for them to huddle down behind a large boulder, where they would not be easily seen. "The main entrance is guarded heavy," he whispered. "But on the east side, there's an invisible tunnel leading directly inside the fortress. It's risky, but it's our best chance.
Jasper nodded, grateful for Raylan's knowledge about the fortress. Otherwise, they would have had no way inside.
As they moved stealthily toward the tunnel, Jasper couldn't get rid of the feeling that they were walking into a trap. He set the thought aside, focusing on what lay ahead.
They reached the entrance to the tunnel, hidden behind a heap of rocks and interwoven vines. Raylan moved the rocks cautiously to reveal a dark, narrow pass into the fortress. He motioned them inside, and one after another they vanished within.
The tunnel was cool and damp, rough stone walls pressing in from either side. Jasper felt a sense of trepidation as they made their way deeper into the darkness guided only by the faint glow of Lyra's magic: the air was thick with the smell of mold and decay, while the only punctuation to the silent air was the sound of water dripping from somewhere.
A few minutes later, they were on the other end of the tunnel, climbing into a small chamber deep inside the fortress. Raylan motioned the group to be silent, peering out through a narrow crack in the wall as he studied the layout of the fortress above.
"The altar's in the central chamber," he whispered. "But there's a guard at the entrance. We'll have to get past him."
The possibilities could run like an chasing engine in Jasper's mind. A sudden attack was definitely out of the question; it would raise an alarm, and in no time, all the other guards would be after them.
They needed a plan, something that would allow them to get through with the guard without being noticed.
After a moment, Lyra spoke up. "I can create a diversion. If I cast a small light spell down one of the corridors, it might draw the attention of the guard long enough for us to slip past."
Raylan nodded impressed. "That may work. We are going to have to move fast once the guard is distracted, though. We won't get a second chance.
Lyra squared her shoulders and steeled herself. She concentrated on her staff, calling up a small orb of light that hovered in the air beside her. She flicked her wrist, sending the light bobbing away down the corridor.
It drifted over the flagged floor, casting flickering shadows and eerie glows on the stone walls.
In a matter of seconds, the guard saw the light; he was curious. He grumbled something under his breath and started to trace the light, his movement taking him away from the guard at the entrance into the central chamber.
"Now!" Raylan hissed, and in one swift, soundless move, they slid past the guard, slipping into the chamber before he could return.
It was a grand high-ceilinged central chamber with dark tapestries hanging, depicting ancient symbols and scenes of rituals performed.
The altar was in the middle of the room, a stone pedestal covered with runes, with candles set round, burning with an unnatural light.
As Jasper approached the altar, he could feel the dark magic emitting from it-a powerful, pulsating force, almost like a heartbeat. He glanced over at Lyra and Finn; both of them appeared just as disturbed.
Raylan stepped back and eyed them gravely. "This is it. The altar gets destroyed, the fortress loses its power. But be quick, because once the altar's gone, the guards are gonna know something's off.
Jasper nodded, grasping the altar. He breathed deeply, calming himself as he lifted his sword. With a mighty swing, he brought the blade down onto the altar. In a surge of light and energy, the stone seemed to shatter.
The earth shook and the altar crumbled, a wave of dark magic erupting from the broken stones, to dissipate into the air like a dark cloud.
Jasper tumbled backwards, screening his eyes from the light of blinding brightness as the last remnants of the altar's magic faded away.
After the silence, a strange sense of relief pervaded him. They had done it;another altar was gone and Malachar's power had been weakened once more.
In a short-lived victory, the sound of footsteps echoed through the chamber as guards rushed towards them, out of the destruction of the altar.
Raylan's eyes narrowed. "Time to go. Follow me!
They ran back toward the tunnel, trying to evade the guards while making their getaway. His heart was racing while running; the adrenaline pumped through his veins.
They had gotten so close to getting caught, but thanks to Raylan's guidance, they managed to slip through the fortress undetected.
By the time they reached the end of the tunnel and out into the fresh air, Jasper almost felt grateful for the new ally. Raylan had turned out to be rather trustworthy, and without his assistance, they would never have left alive.
They ran down the mountain, their legs pumping as fast as they would go, trying to put as much distance between themselves and the fortress as possible.
When they finally stopped to catch their breath, Jasper turned back to the mountains-a huge sense of pride and accomplishment washing over him.
Three altars down. Only a few more to go. And with each step, they were closer to stopping Malachar and saving their world.