The next morning, the sky remained unusually dark, as if it had not yet woken from the nightmare of the night that had passed. The winds were still strong, carrying with them a cold breath, as though whispering ancient secrets. Kylon sat on a large stone overlooking the vast plains, staring at the distant horizon where the first light of the sun struggled to break through the thick clouds still covering the sky. The scar on his face ached more than usual, as if it were responding to something strange in the air, something invisible that was drawing closer.
While he was deep in thought, Lyra approached him, already awake for some time, checking her weapons. She looked intensely focused, as though she were expecting something to happen.
Lyra said softly, though her voice carried a hint of unease, "I feel something strange. Like we're being surrounded by something bigger than just these spirits."
Kylon, still staring at the scar on his hand, replied, "I feel it too. There's something controlling all of this. It's not just the war spirits or the sorcerers. There's a greater force behind it all."
At that moment, Finn arrived, carrying his bow, his eyes reflecting the same unease that lingered in the air. He smiled, but the smile was tight, showing that worry was gnawing at him. He stood beside them and said, "Let's go to where the light is shining in the distance. Maybe there's something there, something leading us to the truth."
The decision was quick, and everyone knew there was no turning back. Death might be faster than turning around, and the absence of answers weighed more heavily on them than any threat.
---
The group began their journey across the plains, heading toward the faint light that had appeared on the horizon. The winds grew stronger, and the silence surrounding them felt almost suffocating, as though the earth itself feared to speak. They crossed the open land, where everything seemed still, except for the shifting of the wind and the grasses that swayed beneath it. Kylon could feel the weight of the scar on his face, and a strange sensation grew in his chest, as though the pain wasn't just from the wound but from something deeper.
As they moved forward, the landscape began to change. The ground became harsher, and each step echoed in the emptiness. The light they had been following now seemed more unnatural. It appeared to come from an unseen place, as if the world itself was hiding a secret in this region.
At that moment, Lyra stopped and said quietly, "What's going on here? This place doesn't feel like anything we've passed through before."
Finn, who had been watching the horizon, replied, "This... doesn't feel right. We've entered somewhere different."
With swift steps, Kylon led them toward the source of the light. The closer they got, the louder the sound became. It was faint whispers at first, like the earth itself was breathing and murmuring to them. As time passed, the sound became clearer and stronger, like whispers rising from the deep sea.
Finally, they reached what they had been searching for. Before them stood an ancient gate, made of strange stone, emitting the light they had been tracking. The walls were adorned with unfamiliar runes, and the ground around the gate was covered in moss and glowing flowers that emitted an eerie glow. This place felt like it belonged to another world, as though it didn't belong to this one.
Kylon, his voice tense with apprehension, said, "This is it. This is where we find the sword."
Finn smiled, though his expression was tight, "Maybe we'll find the answer to all our questions here."
But Lyra was more cautious. She said, "Are we ready for this? This place doesn't feel normal. It feels like something's watching us."
As they debated, the light suddenly grew brighter, as if something inside the gate had awakened in response to their presence. The sound now was a soft, intermittent moan, like the creatures that had lived in this place were slowly waking from a long slumber.
Kylon, his voice firm, said, "There's no time for discussion. We need to go in now."
And so, they passed through the massive stone gate. Inside, the world was different. The air was thick with an ancient smell, as if they had crossed into another realm.