After the trial was over, Micheal could feel the beating of his heart loudly in his ears, Riven's words sounded a thousandfold in his head, "It isn't whether the prophecy concerns the saving but it is instead if you would destroy the jungle."
The weight of the words sat like a stone upon his chest. He looked at the Veralune Staff clutched in his hand, its glow soft, looking alive. It had chosen him, but for what? To save? Or to destroy?
Sharp, steady, Selene's voice cut into his reverie. "We have to keep moving. Whatever just happened. it was just the beginning."
Kai stretched his arms, wincing slightly from the earlier fight. "Yeah, because almost getting strangled by angry vines wasn't enough fun for one day."
Micheal didn't say a word. His eyes remained set ahead, toward the thick jungle.
It's getting darker now and everywhere becoming more silent as the pressed on.
"You saw something," Riven said suddenly, stepping closer to Micheal.
Micheal hesitated. Could he even explain what he'd seen? That vision of himself, older, colder, and terrifyingly powerful had felt more real than anything he'd experienced so far.
"It was nothing," he lied, tightening his grip upon the staff.
Riven's piercing gaze told him the monk didn't believe him, yet he did nothing to press the matter. Riven instead motioned toward the path ahead.
"Then we push on. The Heart of the Jungle is close, but it will be just as merciless, too."
Micheal's head jerked up. "The Heart of the Jungle? You know its location?"
Riven did not appear concerned. "I know only in which direction to travel. Finding it will, anyway, require you to prove your worth."
Kai groaned. "Oh great, more proving ourselves. Can't wait for the next testing, maybe this time the trees will try and eat us."
Selene cast a glance of annoyance at Kai. "Shut up, would you? You wanted an adventure, didn't you?"
"Not these kind"Kai muttered.
Moving on, Micheal stuck near Riven. He wasn't convinced he could trust the monk, but it was plain Riven knew more about both the jungle and the prophecy than he was currently revealing.
The deeper into it they ventured, the more the jungle seemed to change. The air thick, vibrant greens of leaves running deep into unnatural shades, twisted unnatural shapes the tree's branches curled.
The earth was never still beneath their feet, and every step had to be made precariously. Once, Micheal stepped onto the earth, thinking it was solid, it sank into blackened mud. Selene caught him before he fell, pulling him back with a sharp tug.
"Stay alert," she warned.
Micheal nodded, his hand never leaving the Veralune Staff.
Whispers began to carry through the air. At first, Micheal thought it was the wind, but the sounds grew clearer,faint and distant, but unmistakable.
"Do you hear that?" he asked.
Selene frowned. "Hear what?"
"The whispers," Micheal said, his head turning toward the source.
Kai froze, drawing his daggers out. "I don't hear anything, which is even worse.
Riven didn't stop. His calm voice sliced through the increasing tension. "The jungle remembers. It echoes with those that have gone down this path before."
Selene's eyes flashed. "What does that mean?"
Riven said nothing.
The whispers got louder, starting to take shape into words, Micheal was just able to catch.
"Turn back…"
"Unworthy…"
"Leave this place…"
Micheal's hand closed more tightly over the staff. "We don't go back," he growled to no one.
Riven glanced back at him, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Good. The jungle wants to see if you'll falter. Don't."
The path opened suddenly into a vast clearing. At the center stood a massive stone gateway, covered in intricate carvings that glowed faintly with a soft, green light.
But Micheal barely had time to take it in before a low growl rumbled through the air.
Something moved in the shadows beyond the gateway.
"Get ready," Selene said, drawing her sword.
The growl grew louder, and a massive creature stepped into the light.
It was unlike anything Micheal had seen before, sleek, black fur covering its body, shimmering unnaturally as if reflecting an unseen light.
Its eyes shone a piercing yellow, and the scratching of its claws upon stone made Micheal's stomach do funny flips
"A guardian," Riven said calmly.
Kai stared at him ghastly. "That thing is your guardian?"
"It guards the path into the Heart of the Jungle," Riven said. "If you cannot best it, you are unworthy to continue."
The beast did not stand on formalities. It came at them, its roar shaking the earth.
Selene was the first to move, her sword flashing as she intercepted its path. Her blade met its claws with a deafening clash, but the creature barely flinched. It swung its massive paw, forcing Selene to dodge.
Kai leapt to her side, his daggers striking at its legs, but the creature's hide was too tough. The blades barely left a scratch.
"Micheal!" Selene shouted.
Micheal's grip around the staff tightened. His mind reeled, his hands tingling with the energy of the Veralune, yet not quite clear as to how he was supposed to use it.
"Focus!" Riven growled. "The staff will respond if you let it."
The creature now turned its luminous eyes to Micheal and charged.
Instinct took precedence. Micheal raised the staff, and from its tip came a blinding flash of radiance that lashed into the chest of the creature.
The beast howled, reeling back, but wasn't down yet.
Selene and Kai pressed the attack, striking at its legs and sides while it was distracted. Micheal could see their movements, how they worked together seamlessly. He needed to find his place in the fight.
Once more the staff surged, the power coursing through him a second time. This time, he did not falter. He pointed the staff at the creature and willed it to respond.
Vines burst from the ground, ensnaring the beast's limbs and holding it fast. Selene's blade flashed, cleaving deep into its shoulder.
With one last roar, it slumped, its eyes going dull.
Micheal blew a shaky breath. His hands shook.
"You are learning," Riven said as he stepped into the area between them and the beast.
Micheal just didn't respond. He continued to look down at the beast's dead body.
Selene laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Good work."
Kai cleaned his daggers on his tunic. "Yeah, not bad for the first try."
Micheal mustered up a weak smile, though his mind was far away.
The jungle was testing him, just as Riven had said.
And somehow, he knew this was only the beginning
Riven neared the stone gateway, his fingers tracing the glowing carvings.
"These markings," he whispered, "are older than the jungle itself."
Micheal furrowed his brow. "What do they say?"
Riven's eyes narrowed as he examined the symbols.
"They speak of the Heart of the Jungle… and of the one who will awaken it."
Micheal felt a shiver run down his spine.
Selene stepped closer, her voice cautious. "Awaken it? What does that mean?"
Riven turned to Micheal, his gaze serious.
"It means the prophecy is beginning to unfold."
Micheal'shm heart punded. He didn't like the sound of that one bit.
Kai groaned. "Great.. More cryptic warnings. Can't anything just be straightforward?"
But Micheal wasn't listening. His eyes were nailed to the radiating carvings, and for a very brief moment, he thought something moved in the arch above a light pulse, like some heartbeat.
The Heart of the Jungle was ready.
And Micheal knew it was too late to turn around.