A Relic of the Past
Kael and his companions moved swiftly, guided by the ancient map that hinted at their next destination—the Temple of the Forgotten. With each step, unease settled deeper into his bones. The battle with the beast had shaken something loose in him, something primal.
As they trekked through the ruins of a once-great city, Elyra suddenly halted, her eyes narrowing at the entrance of a decrepit cathedral.
"Something's here," she whispered.
Kael felt it too. A presence. Faint, but suffocating.
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Whispers in the Dark
Inside the cathedral, the air was thick with dust and decay. Stained-glass windows, cracked and broken, barely let in the moonlight. At the center of the hall, an ancient stone pedestal stood, upon which rested a tome, its cover etched with symbols that pulsed with unnatural energy.
Kael approached cautiously. The moment he touched the tome, a voice echoed in his mind.
You have come far, but knowledge has a price.
A surge of energy coursed through his body. Visions struck him like a hammer—flashes of another life, battles waged in a realm beyond comprehension, his name spoken in reverence and fear.
Elyra grabbed his arm. "Kael! Are you okay?"
He staggered back, gripping his head. "I remember... something. Not everything. But enough to know we're running out of time."
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The Hunters Arrive
A sudden crash shattered the moment. The cathedral doors burst open as a squad of armored figures stormed in, their weapons crackling with arcane energy. Their leader, a man cloaked in silver, stepped forward, his gaze locked onto Kael.
"You should not exist."
Kael's grip on his sword tightened. "You'll have to do better than that."
The battle ignited in an instant.
Elyra and the old man leaped into action, engaging the hunters in a deadly dance of steel and magic. Kael, however, faced the leader alone. Their blades clashed, sending sparks flying through the air. Each strike, each movement, carried the weight of something deeper—a connection.
"Who are you?!" Kael demanded between blows.
The silver-cloaked man smirked. "Someone who remembers more than you."
With a final strike, their weapons locked, raw energy crackling between them. Then, just as suddenly as they arrived, the hunters vanished, leaving only their leader's parting words:
"Find the temple, or be consumed by what you are."
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The Path Forward
Breathing heavily, Kael sheathed his blade. The encounter had left more questions than answers. But one thing was certain—he needed to reach the Temple of the Forgotten before his enemies did.
Elyra placed a hand on his shoulder. "We don't stop now."
Kael nodded. "No. We don't."
With renewed determination, they pressed onward, into the unknown.
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To be continued…