Chapter Eight: "The Call of the Unknown"
As Younes ventured further along the winding path, the quiet of the forest gave way to a new landscape. The trees thinned, replaced by rolling hills covered in golden grass that swayed gently in the breeze. In the distance, towering mountains loomed, their peaks hidden in clouds, giving them an air of mystery and challenge. Despite the serenity of his surroundings, Younes felt a pull deep within him, as though something—or someone—was calling him forward.
The sun was setting, casting a warm, orange glow over the horizon, and Younes found a spot at the crest of one of the hills to rest for the night. As he sat, watching the last rays of sunlight disappear, he couldn't shake the feeling that something important lay ahead. It wasn't just the end of his journey—it felt like the beginning of something much bigger, something he had yet to understand.
As he settled into the quiet of the night, a soft voice broke through the silence.
"You feel it too, don't you?"
Startled, Younes turned to see a woman standing behind him. She was tall and elegant, her long dark hair flowing down her back, and her eyes shone with a knowing light. She wore a simple cloak, but something about her presence felt ethereal, almost otherworldly.
"Who are you?" Younes asked cautiously, standing up to face her.
The woman smiled, her expression kind but mysterious. "I am but a guide, like Lirael. My name is Selene."
"Another guide?" Younes asked, his brow furrowing. "Why are you here? I thought I'd passed the trials. What more is there?"
Selene stepped closer, her voice calm and soothing. "The trials you faced were just the beginning, Younes. They prepared you for what lies ahead. But the real journey has only just begun."
Younes frowned, confusion clouding his mind. "What do you mean? I thought I had found what I was looking for. I thought I was free."
"You are free," Selene confirmed, her eyes locking onto his. "Free from the burdens of your past. But freedom is not the end—it's a doorway. A doorway to the unknown, where true purpose awaits. You have been chosen, Younes. There is a path you must walk, one that will take you far beyond anything you've experienced before."
Younes felt a surge of conflicting emotions—curiosity, excitement, and uncertainty. "Chosen? For what?"
Selene glanced toward the mountains in the distance, her gaze becoming distant and thoughtful. "The world is full of mysteries, Younes. Forces beyond what most can see or comprehend. You are one of the few who can sense them, who can feel the call of something greater. That is why you were guided through the trials—to prepare you for this moment. The mountains ahead hold the key to that mystery."
Younes followed her gaze, staring at the looming peaks. They seemed impossibly far, daunting and foreboding. "And what am I supposed to do once I get there?"
Selene's expression softened, though her tone remained serious. "You must unlock what has been hidden for centuries. There are ancient powers at work in this world, some benevolent, others dangerous. You've been given the strength and wisdom to navigate this journey, but the choices you make will have consequences not just for you, but for many."
Younes felt the weight of her words settle on his shoulders. This was no ordinary task—this was something far greater than any personal quest for identity or freedom. This was about the fate of others, of the world itself.
"Why me?" he asked quietly, his voice almost lost in the wind.
"Because you are ready," Selene replied, her voice gentle but firm. "You've faced your fears, let go of your past, and discovered your inner strength. But more importantly, you have a heart that seeks not just for yourself, but for others. That is why you have been called."
For a long moment, Younes was silent, staring out into the darkening landscape. The stars were beginning to appear, twinkling in the night sky like distant promises of something more. He knew that this journey—whatever it was—would push him beyond anything he had ever faced. It would test him in ways he couldn't yet imagine.
But deep down, he also knew he couldn't turn back. He had come too far, learned too much, to ignore this new calling.
"I'll do it," Younes finally said, his voice resolute. "I'll go to the mountains. I'll find whatever it is that needs to be unlocked."
Selene smiled, her eyes filled with approval. "I knew you would. The path ahead will not be easy, but you are ready."
She stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Remember, Younes, you are never truly alone. Trust in what you have learned, and trust in yourself. The answers will reveal themselves in time."
With that, she began to fade, her form dissolving into the night like mist. Younes watched her disappear, her final words lingering in the air like a whisper on the wind.
As the night deepened, Younes lay back on the grass, staring up at the stars. His mind raced with thoughts of what was to come. The mountains loomed in the distance, dark and imposing, but now they held a different meaning—a challenge, a destiny waiting to be fulfilled.
And as he closed his eyes, Younes felt a sense of purpose ignite within him. This was no longer just a journey for himself. It was a journey for something far greater. The unknown called to him, and he was ready to answer.
If you liked the novel and want to support me, please send a power stone