The air inside the temple was dense, a mix of ancient dust and something more ethereal. Faint light seeped through cracks in the walls, illuminating carvings that depicted scenes of battles and rituals. Each step echoed, a sharp contrast to the chaotic jungle he had just escaped.
"Right," he muttered, glancing at the translucent map hovering in his vision. The waypoint pulsated, leading him deeper into the temple. His nerves were frayed, but the adrenaline hadn't subsided. "Let's just grab this thing and get out."
The system, predictably, remained silent. He still wasn't sure if it was ignoring his questions or if it simply couldn't respond. Either way, it didn't make him feel any better.
The first chamber he entered was vast, its floor covered in tiles of varying colors. A faint hum filled the air, and as he stepped onto one of the tiles, a low vibration ran through the room.
[System Notice: Puzzle Detected. Objective: Activate the Correct Sequence to Proceed.]
"A puzzle?" he muttered, glancing around. The carvings on the walls seemed to depict a pattern, but it was hard to decipher. As he studied them, the tiles under his feet began to glow faintly, shifting in color.
"Alright, think," he said, crouching to examine the tiles. Each seemed to correspond to an element: fire, water, earth, or air. The carvings on the walls showed a battle sequence where the elements were used in harmony. "Fire, then water, then earth, then air," he guessed, stepping onto the first red tile.
The vibration grew louder, but the tile held steady. Encouraged, he stepped onto a blue tile next, then a brown, and finally a white. As his foot touched the last tile, the entire floor lit up, and the wall ahead rumbled, sliding open to reveal a staircase descending further into the temple.
"One down," he muttered, his confidence growing.
The next chamber was less welcoming. A series of glowing orbs floated above pedestals, each radiating a different energy. The system chimed:
[Warning: Defensive Mechanism Active. Neutralize or Avoid Hostiles.]
The orbs began to move, swirling in an erratic pattern. Before he could react, one shot a bolt of energy directly at him. He dove to the side, narrowly avoiding it.
"Great, moving targets," he grumbled, ducking behind a pillar.
Instinctively, he reached out, his hand crackling with energy. A small bolt of light erupted from his palm, striking one of the orbs. It shattered with a satisfying burst, but the remaining orbs grew more aggressive, their movements becoming faster.
[Skill Unlocked: Energy Manipulation. Proficiency: Beginner.]
He didn't have time to celebrate. Bolts of energy rained down, forcing him to stay in constant motion. With each shot, he grew more precise, his attacks connecting with greater accuracy. By the time the last orb shattered, he was panting but exhilarated.
The system chimed again:
[Challenge Complete. Path Unlocked.]
The next door slid open, revealing the final chamber. At its center was a pedestal, and on it rested the Crystal Core. The artifact pulsed with a gentle light, casting intricate shadows on the walls.
"Finally," he said, stepping forward.
As his fingers closed around the core, the entire temple began to shake. The system's chime was sharp, almost urgent:
[Warning: Temple Integrity Compromised. Evacuate Immediately.]
"Of course," he muttered, clutching the core tightly as he sprinted back the way he came.