The room was eerily quiet after the collapse of the stone guardians, the dust still settling from the massive crash. Erik stood by the altar, his hands trembling as he tried to steady himself. The power he had channeled through the temple had taken its toll on him, leaving him exhausted, but the feeling of triumph lingered. The guardians were down, but the real challenge was just beginning.
Lili approached, her brow furrowed with concern. "You okay?"
Erik nodded, though his legs felt weak. "Yeah, I'll manage. But we need to know what this altar's hiding."
The group gathered around the ancient stone structure, its surface carved with strange symbols and markings, much like the ones outside. Now that the guardians were gone, the altar's energy seemed to calm, no longer pulsing aggressively but humming with a quiet, almost subdued power.
Sasha knelt beside the altar, her fingers tracing the carvings. "These symbols... they're older than anything I've ever seen. This place predates any known civilization. If the gods left something here, it's buried deep in history."
Zara crossed her arms, eyeing the altar suspiciously. "So, what now? Do we just open it and hope it doesn't explode?"
Hugo chuckled nervously. "I'm with Zara. We've already fought stone giants. Who knows what's inside this thing?"
Erik's gaze was fixed on the altar. The closer he got to it, the more he felt like it was speaking to him—not with words, but with the same deep, resonant energy that had been coursing through the temple. Whatever was inside, it was tied to him. He had to know.
"There's only one way to find out," Erik said quietly, stepping forward.
Lili glanced at him, her eyes full of worry. "Just be careful. We've been through enough today."
With a deep breath, Erik placed his hands on the altar once more, feeling the cold stone beneath his fingertips. He closed his eyes, allowing the energy to flow into him again. This time, he was ready for the flood of power, bracing himself for the rush of visions and sensations. The altar responded to his touch, the symbols glowing faintly as the air around them grew heavy with magic.
Suddenly, the altar rumbled, and with a loud grinding noise, a section of the stone surface slid away, revealing a hidden compartment. Inside was a small, ornate box, its surface etched with intricate designs. The box radiated a faint golden light, as if it held something of immense value.
Everyone held their breath as Erik carefully lifted the box from the altar. It was surprisingly light, and as he turned it over in his hands, he could feel the subtle pulse of magic inside.
"What is that?" Carter asked, stepping closer to get a better look.
Erik shook his head, unsure. "I don't know. But it's definitely important."
Sasha leaned in, studying the box intently. "It's not just a container. There's something inside, something powerful. We should open it."
"I'm not sure that's a good idea," Zara warned, eyeing the box with suspicion. "We've already triggered enough traps today."
But Erik couldn't shake the feeling that this was what they had come for. The temple, the guardians, the energy—it all led to this moment. Slowly, he unlatched the small clasp on the box and carefully lifted the lid.
Inside was a single glowing orb, about the size of an apple, hovering just above the bottom of the box. The orb was a brilliant mix of colors, shifting between shades of gold, blue, and silver, as though it were alive, pulsating with raw, untapped energy.
"What... is that?" Hugo breathed, his eyes wide with awe.
"I think it's a relic," Sasha whispered, her voice barely audible. "An artifact left behind by the gods."
Lili's eyes flickered between the orb and Erik. "And it's meant for you."
Erik could feel it too. The energy from the orb was familiar, like a piece of himself he hadn't known was missing. It called to him, drawing him in, and without thinking, he reached out toward it.
As his fingers brushed against the orb, a surge of power shot through his body, stronger than anything he had felt before. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he was no longer in the temple. Instead, he was standing in a vast, open space—an endless sky filled with swirling clouds and shimmering light. In the distance, he could see figures—tall, imposing, and radiant with power.
Gods.
They were watching him, their eyes glowing with an intensity that made Erik's heart race. He could feel their presence all around him, their power dwarfing his own, but there was no malice in their gaze. Only curiosity. And something else—expectation.
"You are not yet ready," a voice echoed in his mind, deep and resonant, as if the entire universe were speaking to him. "But soon, you will be."
Erik blinked, and suddenly he was back in the temple, his hand still resting on the orb. The others were staring at him, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern.
"Erik?" Lili's voice was soft, hesitant. "What just happened?"
He shook his head, trying to make sense of it. "I... I saw them. The gods. They're watching us."
Sasha's eyes widened. "The gods? You mean, they're real?"
"They're more than real," Erik replied, his voice shaky. "And this—" he gestured to the orb, "—this is a part of their power. But they don't want me to use it. Not yet."
"Not yet?" Carter echoed. "What does that even mean?"
Erik stared down at the glowing orb, his mind racing. "I don't know. But I think this is just the beginning. There's more—more they want me to learn, more they want me to do."
Zara frowned. "So, what do we do now?"
Erik gently closed the box, the orb's light dimming as he latched it shut. "We take this with us. Whatever the gods have planned, this orb is the key. And I need to figure out why."
Lili placed a hand on his arm, her touch grounding him. "We'll figure it out together. You're not alone in this."
Erik nodded, his resolve hardening. The journey had only just begun, but for the first time, he felt a clear sense of purpose. The gods were watching, waiting, and whatever trials lay ahead, he was ready to face them.