IMMORTAL QUEST
Chapter 32: The Hunt for the First Piece
The journey ahead was uncertain, but the purpose was clear: they needed to find the remaining three pieces of the crystal in order to defeat the encroaching darkness. Each piece was rumored to be hidden in a different corner of the world, protected by ancient magic and dangerous trials. The first piece, according to the sage, was located in a distant temple at the heart of a sprawling desert.
As they departed from the village, Scott felt a weight in his chest, but it wasn't just from the burden of their quest. The darkness was still fresh in his mind, the memories of the shadow figure's voice echoing in his thoughts. It had spoken of things—things Scott didn't understand fully. And there was still a gnawing question in the back of his mind: who was really behind all this? What greater force was pulling the strings?
But those thoughts had to wait. They were heading into the desert, a barren place known for its scorching heat and unforgiving winds. The desert wasn't just a physical obstacle, though. It was a place of isolation, a place where the light of the crystal would be tested in ways they hadn't yet imagined.
"We'll need to prepare," Valen said, his voice cutting through Scott's thoughts. He was always practical, always thinking ahead. "The desert is a harsh place. We can't afford to be careless."
Derek, ever the adventurer, grinned. "Harsh places are my specialty. I'll take point. Keep an eye on anything that moves."
Malia, who had been silent for most of the conversation, finally spoke. "We need more than just survival skills. The temple isn't just a building. It's a labyrinth. Whoever hid the crystal there did so for a reason."
Scott turned to her, his brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Malia's eyes were steady as she met his gaze. "The temple is protected by ancient magic. I've studied some of it. It's not just traps and puzzles. It's a test. A test for those who seek the crystal's power. It will weigh your hearts, your minds, and your intentions. If you're not worthy, you won't leave."
There was a heavy pause as everyone absorbed her words. Even Derek's cocky grin faltered slightly, though he quickly masked it with a chuckle. "Well, I'm not about to back out now. I've come this far."
Mia, who had been unusually quiet, placed a reassuring hand on Scott's arm. "We've all come this far. We're in this together."
Scott nodded, his resolve strengthening as he looked around at his friends. They had faced darkness together before—and they would face it again.
"We'll be ready," Scott said, determination lacing his voice. "We have each other. That's all we need."
---
Days later, in the scorching heat of the desert…
The journey to the desert temple had taken longer than they anticipated. The sun beat down relentlessly, the sand stretching endlessly before them. Scott could feel the weight of the heat, but it was nothing compared to the weight of the mission they were on. They had no choice but to push forward.
"Is this even the right place?" Derek grumbled, his face covered with a cloth to shield him from the sun. He wiped his brow, glancing out at the vast emptiness. "It doesn't look like a temple."
"It's here," Malia said, her voice steady despite the heat. She had a look of concentration on her face, as though she were listening to something Scott couldn't hear. "It's hidden from the untrained eye. But I can feel it."
Theo, who had been unusually silent, finally spoke up. "How do we even know what we're looking for?"
"That's the tricky part," Malia said. "The temple doesn't reveal itself to everyone. The moment we get close enough, it will test us. If we're ready, it will let us in. If not…"
Scott's heart skipped a beat. He didn't need to hear the rest of the sentence. They had no choice but to succeed.
"Let's get moving," Scott said, his voice resolute. "We're going to find it. Together."
---
Later that evening…
The group made camp as the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the sand. The temperature dropped slightly, but the air still felt heavy with tension. Everyone was on edge, knowing that the next day would bring them closer to the temple—and the trial that awaited them.
As they sat around the campfire, Scott couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them, that the desert held more secrets than they could possibly understand. The wind shifted, and he looked up, catching a glimpse of the stars beginning to shine in the night sky. For a moment, he felt small in the vastness of the world.
"We'll make it through this," Mia said softly, her voice cutting through the silence. She had been sitting beside him, and her presence was a quiet comfort. "I know we will."
Scott turned to look at her, his heart swelling with affection. In the midst of everything they were facing, it was moments like these that grounded him. "I don't know what I'd do without you," he admitted, his voice low.
Mia smiled softly, her eyes warm as she reached for his hand. "You won't ever have to find out."
Derek and Theo, sitting nearby, exchanged amused glances, but neither of them said anything. They both understood the bond that had formed between Scott and Mia, and they knew it was something that could not be easily broken.
Valen, who had been silently observing, finally spoke up. "I'll be watching the perimeter. We need to be prepared for anything."
Malia, who had been deep in thought, glanced up. "The temple is closer than we think. We'll reach it tomorrow. But be ready. It won't let us in easily."
Scott nodded. Tomorrow was the day. Tomorrow, they would face the trials of the temple. They would either succeed and find the first piece of the crystal—or they would fail.
As the fire crackled, the group sat in silence, each lost in their thoughts. The journey ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: they would face it together.
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End of Chapter 32