Chapter 22: Awakening the Guardians
The glowing beam from the pedestal bathed the chamber in an otherworldly light. Shadows danced on the walls, their shapes eerily resembling the figures etched into the murals. Adam stepped back, his breath quickening.
"Henry, tell me we're not about to regret this," he said, his voice tinged with panic.
Henry didn't answer. His focus was fixed on the illuminated mural, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"Henry?" Adam repeated, louder this time.
Henry finally snapped out of his trance. "We might be."
Adam threw up his hands. "How about we start with solutions instead of snark?"
Before anyone could say another word, the room began to vibrate. The tremors were subtle at first but quickly grew stronger. Dust and debris rained down from the ceiling, and the once-solid ground beneath their feet felt alarmingly unstable.
From the shadows, a low growl echoed through the chamber. It wasn't human, nor did it belong to any animal Adam could identify. His stomach dropped as he turned toward the source.
Emerging from the darkness were towering figures—hulking stone constructs with glowing eyes and intricate patterns carved into their bodies. The guardians.
"Well, that answers the question of what was guarding this place," Adam muttered, taking a shaky step back.
Henry drew his pistol, though the sight of it in his hand felt almost laughable against the sheer size of the creatures. "Stay behind me. If they move, we run."
Adam clenched his fists. "You're really on fire today, aren't you?"
The guardians moved as one, their massive legs pounding against the stone floor. Each step reverberated through the chamber like a drumbeat. They encircled the pedestal, their glowing eyes fixed on Adam and Henry.
"Do they look mad to you?" Adam asked nervously.
Henry kept his gaze locked on the constructs. "Mad doesn't even begin to cover it."
One of the guardians raised an arm, and the patterns on its body flared brighter. A deep, guttural sound filled the air, like stone grinding against stone.
"I think it's charging up for something," Adam said, panic creeping into his voice.
Henry swore under his breath. "Whatever you did, you'd better undo it. Now."
"I don't even know what I did!" Adam shouted.
"Really?" Adam shot back. "That's your big idea?"
Reluctantly, Adam sprinted back to the pedestal. His hands hovered over its surface as he glanced back at Henry. "What if this makes it worse?"
"Then we'll know not to do it again," Henry said, dodging a swipe from one of the guardians.
"Fantastic advice," Adam muttered and placed his hands firmly on the pedestal.
The moment his palms made contact, the glowing patterns on the pedestal shifted. The beam of light intensified, and the symbols on the walls began to rearrange themselves, forming new, more intricate designs.
The guardians froze, their glowing eyes dimming slightly.
"Uh… is that a good sign?" Adam asked, his voice trembling.
Henry didn't answer. He was too busy watching as the largest guardian stepped forward, towering over them. Its eyes flared once more, and it opened its mouth to speak.
The voice that came forth was deep and resonant, like an earthquake given words. "WHO DARES DISTURB THE TEMPLE OF SHADOWS?"
Adam raised a hand hesitantly. "Uh, hi. That would be me. Totally accidental, by the way."
The guardian's glowing gaze shifted to him. "OUTSIDERS HAVE NO PLACE HERE. LEAVE, OR FACE OBLIVION."
"Gladly!" Adam said quickly. "Just point us to the exit, and we're out of your hair—or, uh, rocks."
Henry grabbed his arm. "Wait. We came here for a reason."
Adam gaped at him. "Are you serious? They just said oblivion. I like living, thanks."
Henry stepped forward, addressing the guardian. "We seek the knowledge of the ancients. We mean no harm."
The guardian tilted its head, the grinding sound of its movements filling the chamber. "KNOWLEDGE COMES AT A PRICE."
"What kind of price?" Henry asked cautiously.
The guardian raised an arm, pointing to the pedestal. "ONE MUST PROVE THEIR WORTH. ONLY THEN SHALL THE GATEWAY OPEN."
Adam frowned. "Prove our worth how? Is this a riddle thing? A trial? Do we have to fight you?"
The guardian didn't answer. Instead, the pedestal began to glow again, and a new inscription appeared on its surface.
Adam leaned in to read the inscription. "Solve the puzzle to reveal the key. Fail, and face eternal darkness." He straightened, his stomach churning. "Why is it always puzzles? I hate puzzles."
Henry smirked. "Good thing I don't."
The puzzle on the pedestal was unlike anything Adam had ever seen. It was a series of interconnected symbols, each glowing faintly. Moving one caused others to shift in unpredictable ways.
"Great," Adam said, watching Henry work. "A sliding puzzle of doom. No pressure."
Henry shot Adam a look. "If you're not going to help, at least keep an eye on the guardians."
Adam glanced nervously at the constructs, who were still as statues but no less intimidating. "Fine. But if they move, I'm bolting."
Minutes felt like hours as Henry manipulated the symbols, his movements careful and deliberate. The tension in the air was suffocating.
Finally, with a satisfying click, the symbols aligned, and the pedestal emitted a soft hum.
The largest guardian stepped forward once more. "YOU HAVE PROVEN YOUR WORTH. THE GATEWAY SHALL OPEN."
The beam of light shifted, focusing on a previously hidden door at the far end of the chamber. The door groaned as it slid open, revealing a swirling vortex of light and shadow.
Adam stared at it, his heart pounding. "That… doesn't look inviting."
Henry clapped him on the shoulder. "Come on. We've made it this far."
Adam groaned. "Worst pep talk ever."
With a deep breath, they stepped into the vortex.
End of Chapter 22