The forest ahead was a dense sea of ancient trees, their twisted branches knitting together to form a canopy that blocked out the twilight. Kael stood at the edge of this primeval wilderness, his eyes narrowed in focus. Beside him, Selene held a glowing orb, its faint light casting long shadows across their faces.
"This is it," Kael murmured, eyes scanning the thick, tangled underbrush. The map had led them here—to the fabled Forgotten Temple, hidden deep within these cursed woods. If the stories were true, within those walls lay answers to the mysteries that had plagued him since his mother vanished.
"Are you sure?" Selene asked, her voice barely a whisper. Her fingers tightened around the orb, its magic thrumming in time with her rising apprehension.
Kael glanced at her. "I'm sure. The map was clear, and the energy... it feels right." He turned his gaze back to the looming forest, its silence unnerving. "But be ready. This place is dangerous."
The two stepped forward, the forest swallowing them in an eerie quiet. The deeper they ventured, the thicker the mist grew, clinging to their clothes like icy fingers. Kael felt a chill crawl up his spine—not from the cold, but from the oppressive magic that seemed to pulse through the very air.
They pressed on in silence, the only sound the faint crunch of leaves beneath their boots. As the path narrowed, Kael's senses sharpened. Something was watching them. He could feel it. The magic in this place was alive, aware, and it was waiting.
After what felt like hours, they stumbled into a clearing. At the center stood a massive stone structure, its surface worn by centuries of neglect. Vines crawled up its sides, and moss clung to the crumbling pillars. But even in its decay, the temple radiated power. Ancient runes, barely visible beneath the overgrowth, glowed faintly in the fading light.
"The Forgotten Temple," Selene breathed, her eyes wide with awe and fear. "It's real."
Kael stepped forward, feeling the energy grow stronger with each step. This was it—the key to everything. His mother's disappearance, the dark forces stalking him, the mysterious power inside him—it was all connected to this place.
Just as he reached the temple's entrance, a gust of wind swept through the clearing. It was unnatural, cold, and filled with whispers. Kael froze, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Did you hear that?" Selene asked, her voice trembling.
Kael nodded, his eyes scanning the shadows. The whispers grew louder, forming words he couldn't quite understand. But one thing was clear—they were not alone.
A figure emerged from the darkness, cloaked in shadows. The air around it crackled with energy, and its presence was suffocating. It moved with an unnatural grace, its face hidden beneath a hood, only the gleam of cold, silver eyes visible in the darkness.
"Who dares disturb the sanctity of the Forgotten Temple?" The voice was low, each word dripping with power.
Kael didn't flinch, though his heart raced. He stepped forward, his voice steady. "We seek the truth hidden here. The magic sealed within these walls."
The figure's eyes narrowed, its gaze piercing. "Truth comes at a price, child of Armitage. Are you prepared to pay it?"
Kael's breath caught in his throat. The figure knew him—knew his name. How? His mind raced, but there was no turning back now. He had come too far.
"We'll pay whatever is necessary," Kael replied, his voice firm despite the unease gnawing at him.
The figure let out a low, mocking laugh. "Then prepare yourselves. The trials within this temple have claimed the lives of many who sought its secrets. You will be no different."
With a wave of its hand, the figure disappeared, dissolving into the shadows as if it had never been there. A heavy silence fell over the clearing, broken only by the sound of Selene's nervous breathing.
"What now?" she asked, her grip on the orb tightening.
Kael looked at the temple's entrance, the dark doorway beckoning them forward. "We go in," he said, determination hardening his voice. "There's no turning back."
Together, they crossed the threshold into the temple, the stone walls towering above them. As soon as they stepped inside, the door slammed shut behind them with a deafening boom, sealing them in darkness.
The air inside the temple was thick with ancient magic, almost suffocating in its intensity. Faint glows emanated from the walls, the runes pulsing in sync with Kael's heartbeat. The temple felt alive, its presence oppressive and watchful.
Without warning, the ground beneath their feet shifted. Selene yelped as they were suddenly plunged into darkness, the floor giving way beneath them. They tumbled down, the world spinning as they fell through the air, before landing hard on a stone platform far below.
Kael groaned, pushing himself up, pain shooting through his limbs. "You okay?" he asked, reaching out to help Selene to her feet.
"I think so," she replied, wincing. "Where are we?"
Kael glanced around. They were in a vast chamber, dimly lit by the same pulsing runes that lined the walls. Ahead of them, a massive door loomed, carved with intricate symbols that seemed to shift and change as they watched.
"The trials," Kael muttered, a sinking feeling settling in his gut. "This is it."
Selene took a step closer to the door, her face pale. "Are we really doing this?"
Kael's jaw tightened. "We have no choice. Whatever's behind that door... it's the only way to get the answers we need."
Taking a deep breath, Kael stepped toward the door. The moment his hand touched the surface, the runes flared to life, bathing the room in a harsh, blinding light.
And then, the door creaked open, revealing the first trial of the Forgotten Temple.