The Progenitor
Chapter 5: The Gatekeeper's Warning
The storm had subsided, leaving the streets slick with rain and the air heavy with the scent of wet asphalt. Yun Tae-min followed Seol through the labyrinth of Seoul's back alleys, the journal tucked securely under his arm. The cryptic message from the book echoed in his mind: "Seek the Gatekeeper."
Seol had been oddly quiet since they left the diner, his usual snark replaced by a tense silence. Tae-min wasn't sure if that was a good or bad sign, but he decided not to push his luck.
Finally, they emerged into a forgotten corner of the city—a crumbling temple hidden between towering office buildings. The structure seemed out of place, its ancient stones defying the encroaching modernity around it.
"This is it?" Tae-min asked, eyeing the temple warily.
Seol nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade. "The Gatekeeper doesn't like visitors. Try not to get killed."
Before Tae-min could respond, Seol strode forward and pushed open the heavy wooden doors. A low creak echoed through the air, followed by an oppressive silence.
Inside, the temple was dimly lit, the walls adorned with faded murals depicting battles between shadowy figures and radiant beings. At the center of the room stood a single figure, cloaked in deep crimson robes, their face obscured by a hood.
"You bring him here," the figure said, their voice a mix of weariness and authority. "You risk much, Seol."
Seol shrugged, leaning against a cracked pillar. "The journal pointed him to you. Blame destiny, not me."
The Gatekeeper turned their head toward Tae-min, their presence radiating a palpable weight. "So, you're the one chosen by the journal. Yun Tae-min."
The sound of his name, spoken by this enigmatic figure, sent a chill down his spine. He stepped forward cautiously. "You know me?"
"I know what you are," the Gatekeeper replied, their tone unreadable. "And I know the chaos that follows you."
Tae-min gritted his teeth. "Then you know why I'm here. The journal said to seek you. I need answers."
The Gatekeeper raised a hand, and the journal flew from Tae-min's grip, hovering in the air before them. They examined it, their fingers tracing the glowing runes that had begun to etch themselves along its spine.
"This artifact is no ordinary relic," they murmured. "It's a conduit—a bridge between what is and what could be. It binds you to the Progenitor's path, whether you desire it or not."
Tae-min took a step closer. "What is the Progenitor? What am I supposed to do?"
The Gatekeeper's hood tilted downward, as if considering how much to reveal. "The Progenitor is both creator and destroyer, the spark that ignites a chain of events spanning lifetimes. You, Yun Tae-min, are its latest vessel. But your path is not yet set. That is both your power and your curse."
Seol snorted from his corner. "That's helpful. Real inspiring."
The Gatekeeper ignored him, their focus remaining on Tae-min. "The Hunters that attacked you are merely pawns of a greater force. They seek the journal to manipulate its power, to rewrite the threads of reality itself. If they succeed, the balance will be undone."
Tae-min clenched his fists. "Then tell me how to stop them. What do I need to do?"
The Gatekeeper extended their hand, and the journal floated back to him. "The journal is a tool, but it is also a trap. Every time you use it, you bind yourself closer to the Progenitor's destiny. You must choose your battles carefully."
"I don't have time for riddles!" Tae-min snapped. "If you know how to help me, just say it!"
The Gatekeeper's voice hardened. "You must find the Obsidian Key. It is the only artifact capable of severing the journal's hold on you. Without it, you will lose yourself—your mind, your will, your soul."
Before Tae-min could ask more, the temple shook violently. Dust rained from the ceiling as an otherworldly screech tore through the air.
"They've found us," Seol growled, drawing his blade.
The Gatekeeper turned toward the entrance, their hands glowing with a faint, ethereal light. "They will not stop until the journal is theirs. You must leave. Now."
The doors burst open, and a wave of shadowy creatures flooded into the temple. These weren't the humanoid Hunters from before; they were monstrous, twisted abominations with glowing red eyes and razor-sharp limbs.
Tae-min's dagger flared to life as he braced himself. "What about you?"
"I will hold them off," the Gatekeeper said firmly. "Your task lies elsewhere."
Seol grabbed Tae-min by the arm, pulling him toward a hidden passage at the back of the temple. "Come on, rookie. We don't have time to argue."
Reluctantly, Tae-min followed, casting one last glance over his shoulder. The Gatekeeper stood alone against the horde, their form radiating a blinding light as they unleashed a wave of energy that obliterated the first wave of attackers.
The passage led them into a narrow underground tunnel, the sound of battle fading behind them. Tae-min's chest heaved as he struggled to keep up with Seol's brisk pace.
"Where are we going?" he asked between breaths.
"To find the Obsidian Key," Seol replied, his voice grim. "If we don't, you're as good as dead."
Tae-min's grip tightened on the journal as they emerged into the open air, the first rays of sunlight breaking through the storm clouds.
For the first time, he felt the weight of what lay ahead—not just for him, but for everyone who would be caught in the Progenitor's wake.
And somewhere, in the shadows of the city, his future self watched, waiting for him to falter.