The mist of Shadowveil Highlands thickened, warping the surroundings as distant roars echoed ominously. Though the group paused for a short rest, none could fully relax, their senses heightened for the dangers lurking in the unknown.
Loka stood up, surveying the terrain carefully. "We can't stay here for long. The Shadowveil Beast may not have pursued us, but that doesn't mean its territory ends here. We must find a way out of the mist—quickly."
Katherine pulled out a map and joined Loka in examining it. "The eastern exit of the highlands should be nearby, but the mist has distorted our sense of direction. We'll need to rely on the landscape to guide us."
Eileen frowned, scanning their surroundings warily. "This mist... it doesn't feel natural. It's almost as if it's pressing in on us, like it's alive."
Suddenly, an older warrior in the group raised his hand, signaling everyone to stop. He pointed toward a heap of jagged rocks ahead and whispered, "Do you hear that?"
Everyone stilled, straining to listen. From the depths of the rocks came a strange, low murmuring sound, as if the wind were whispering—or perhaps it was something else.
"Is that... a voice?" Eileen's eyes widened with unease. "Could it be ghosts?"
"Stay calm," Loka interrupted firmly. "The Shadowveil Highlands may be treacherous, but there are no legends of ghosts here. This could be a natural phenomenon—or something else entirely."
Before he could finish, the murmuring grew clearer, forming distinct words: "...Outsiders… leave… at a cost…"
"This is no natural phenomenon," Katherine murmured, her expression grim. "It's some ancient power, warning us."
Loka hesitated briefly before speaking. "Whatever it is, we can't let it frighten us into retreat. Move forward cautiously, and stay alert."
The group resumed their formation, carefully skirting around the rock pile. Just as they were about to leave the area, a faint light appeared within the mist, as if beckoning them toward an unknown destination.
"What's that?" Eileen whispered in surprise, pointing toward the light.
Loka squinted, trying to discern its source. He hesitated briefly before deciding, "It could be a trap, but we have no other choice. Stay close and don't fall behind."
The appearance of the light offered a glimmer of hope. Following its lead, they ventured onward, the mist parting slightly to reveal a narrow path. Although uneven, the way forward lacked the imminent threats of beasts or ambushes they had faced earlier.
At last, the light led them to an ancient stone monolith. Covered in glowing runes, the monolith stood starkly against the swirling mist, its inscriptions shimmering faintly.
"What is this?" Katherine stepped closer, reaching out to touch the runes, but Loka stopped her. "Be careful! Don't touch anything until we know what we're dealing with."
Eileen studied the runes intently. "These symbols look somewhat similar to the scripts of my tribe, but they're much more intricate. I can't decipher their meaning."
Turning to Katherine, Loka asked, "Does your family have any knowledge of these runes?"
Katherine nodded. "We've studied some simple runes, but nothing this complex. Deciphering them will take time."
Before they could delve further, the monolith began to hum softly, and its glow intensified. Then, a deep, ancient voice echoed in their minds: "To pass through the Shadowveil, offer your truth, and you shall be guided."
The group froze, stunned. The voice didn't belong to anyone among them, yet it was clear and resonant in their thoughts.
"'Offer your truth'?" Eileen repeated softly, frowning. "What does that mean?"
Loka studied the monolith, his voice heavy with thought. "It could be some sort of trial. We're trespassing in its domain, and it wants to judge our intentions."
Katherine stepped forward with resolve. "If it seeks the truth, then we must show our purpose." She approached the monolith and addressed it directly, her voice steady: "We are not invaders. We seek only to pass through this land to aid our allies in resisting foreign aggression. If this land requires protection, we will not bring harm to it."
The glow of the monolith dimmed slightly, and the runes seemed to rearrange themselves subtly, as if responding to her words.
Loka stepped forward, adding, "As the leader of my tribe, I vow that my group will not harm the Shadowveil Highlands. Our mission is to stand against the invasion of Strongson."
After a moment of tense silence, the monolith's glow faded entirely. The guiding light reappeared, extending further into the mist.
"It's accepted us," Katherine whispered, her tone tinged with relief.
Loka nodded but remained cautious. "We've earned its trust for now, but this trial may not be over. Stay vigilant as we move forward."
The group resumed their march, following the mysterious light deeper into the mist. Shadows shifted and twisted around them, but no threats emerged. It seemed the Shadowveil Highlands was watching, its judgment still incomplete.