The interior of the temple was a stark contrast to the scorching desert Richard had left behind. The air was chill, and the walls glowed with a faint light that seemed to emanate from the intricate carvings covering them. Every step he took echoed in the silence, and Richard couldn't help but feel as if something was watching him from the shadows.
"Good, Richard. This is what you've been waiting for," he murmured to himself, trying to calm his nerves.
The corridor stretched ahead, but soon opened into a wide room. In the center, a pedestal floated over a dark chasm, and around it, stone platforms rose and fell in an unpredictable pattern.
The air in the room was thick, charged with an energy that made Richard's skin crawl. In front of him, the stone platforms floated over a dark chasm, moving in an erratic pattern that seemed to defy all logic. Each platform seemed suspended by an invisible force, and the abyss beneath them seemed endless, as if staring at it for too long might pull him deeper into its depths.
Richard took a deep breath, trying to calm his frantic heartbeat. He knew he couldn't afford to hesitate. He'd come too far to turn back now.
"There's no turning back," he murmured, activating "Wind Steps."
At once, he felt his body grow lighter, as if the wind itself was pulling him forward. It was a strange sensation, as if his feet barely touched the ground, and every movement was assisted by an external force. With a determined leap, he landed on the first platform, which began to crumble beneath him almost instantly. Without time to think, he leaped to the next, barely managing to maintain his balance.
The sound of stones falling into the abyss echoed through the room, reminding him of the precariousness of his situation. But he didn't have time to stop and look. The platforms moved in an unpredictable pattern, some rising while others descended or disappeared entirely. Richard had to rely on his instincts, calculating each jump with pinpoint precision.
Suddenly, the walls came to life. The engravings covering them began to glow a deep blue, and magical arrows began to shoot from them. The arrows shot through the air with a high-pitched whine, forcing him to move even faster. Richard ducked, rolled, and jumped, dodging the projectiles with swift, precise movements. Each step drained his energy, and he could feel his mana rapidly diminishing.
"Focus, Richard!" he told himself, remembering Elyndra's words. "It's not just speed, it's control."
His mentor's words echoed in his mind, giving him the clarity he needed. He couldn't simply react; he had to anticipate. He watched the pattern of the platforms and the arrows fired, searching for a rhythm, a logic in the chaos. Little by little, he began to notice a pattern, a synchronization between the movements of the platforms and the magical attacks.
With this new understanding, his movements became more fluid. He leaped from platform to platform with near-perfect precision, dodging the arrows with a grace he hadn't known he possessed. But the challenge didn't end there. As he moved forward, the platforms began to move faster, and the magical arrows became more numerous.
At a critical moment, a platform crumbled before he could reach it. Without hesitation, he used "Wind Steps" to propel himself into the air, landing on a farther platform. The effort left him panting, but he couldn't stop. Every second counted, and he knew a single mistake could be fatal.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Richard reached the pedestal in the center of the room. He sank to his knees, breathing heavily as sweat trickled down his forehead. The pedestal gleamed faintly, and the sound of gears echoed in the room. A door opened on the other side, revealing the path to the next trial.
Richard took a moment to catch his breath, looking back. The platforms were now motionless, as if the temple acknowledged his success. He had passed the first trial, but he knew what was coming would be even more difficult. With renewed determination, he stood and moved toward the door, ready to face whatever the temple had in store for him.
"That was... intense," he murmured, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
As he stepped through the door, he couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and anticipation. He had proven his skill and control, but he knew the temple still had more challenges in store. And if the trials were any reflection of what lay ahead, he would have to be prepared to face the unknown with everything he had.
---
The next room was an abyss of absolute darkness, so dense it seemed to absorb any trace of light. Richard could see nothing, not even his own hands in front of his face. The air was heavy, charged with a magical energy that pulsed like a heart beating in the depths. Every step he took resonated with endless echoes, as if the void itself responded to his presence.
"This is... different," he murmured, feeling a chill run down his spine.
He knew he couldn't advance blindly. He activated "Echo Vision," and immediately, the world around him changed. Lines of energy began to shimmer on the floor, walls, and ceiling, revealing an intricate maze of paths and hidden traps. These lines weren't static; they moved like rivers of light, flowing in complex, shifting patterns. Richard watched carefully, trying to understand the logic behind the movements.
"Good, Richard." Just follow the path... he told himself, moving forward cautiously.
At first, it seemed simple. The energy lines formed a clear path, and Richard followed it, dodging the traps that appeared and disappeared around him. Some traps were simple, like holes opening in the ground or magical arrows shooting from the walls. Others were more elaborate, like energy walls that suddenly rose up or platforms that crumbled upon contact.
However, soon the pattern began to change. The energy lines crossed and intertwined, creating illusions that confused his senses. At one point, the path seemed to split into multiple directions, each more dangerous than the last. Richard stopped, feeling the pressure building. The air seemed to vibrate with increasing intensity, as if the temple itself were testing his resolve.
"This isn't as easy as it looks..." he murmured, frowning as he studied the lines.
He remembered Elyndra's words during his training: "The 'Echo Vision' reveals not only what is there, but also what is to come. Learn to read the echoes of the future." He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, letting his mind calm. When he opened them again, he noticed something he had previously missed: a faint trail of energy moving between the main lines. It was almost imperceptible, like a whisper in the middle of a shout, but it was there, guiding him forward.
"There you are..." he said, with a spark of renewed confidence.
He followed the trail carefully, taking one step at a time. The path became increasingly complicated. The energy lines moved faster, and traps appeared more frequently. At a critical moment, a wall of energy rose up in front of him, blocking his progress. Richard stopped, watching the lines intertwine in a chaotic pattern. It was as if the temple were challenging him to find a solution.
"Think, Richard. What would Elyndra do?" he wondered, remembering his mentor's lessons.
He closed his eyes again, trusting his instincts. He visualized the flow of energy, looking for a weak spot in the pattern. When he opened his eyes, he saw a small gap in the energy wall, barely large enough to pass through. But the gap wasn't static; it moved, appearing and disappearing at irregular intervals.
"It's now or never..." he said, activating "Wind Steps" to propel himself across the gap.
The jump was precise, but not without risk. He barely made it across before the gap closed behind him, leaving a flash of energy that made his skin crawl. He landed on the other side, panting with exertion. The trail of energy continued onward, leading him toward a door at the end of the room. With each step, he felt the tension in the air lessen, as if the temple acknowledged his progress.
However, the challenge wasn't over yet. Just when he thought he was safe, the ground beneath his feet began to crumble. Richard reacted instinctively, activating "Wind Steps" to propel himself toward a nearby platform. The energy lines glowed brightly, guiding him toward a safe path, but each leap required pinpoint precision.
"Come on, Richard! Don't stop now..." he told himself, struggling to keep up.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he reached the door. As he stepped through, a warm light enveloped him, and the darkness was left behind. Richard paused for a moment to catch his breath, looking back. The energy lines were now motionless, as if the temple acknowledged his success.
"Two tests passed. One more..." he said, with a mixture of relief and determination.
He knew the temple still had more challenges in store, but he also knew he was ready to face them. With "Vision of Echoes" and "Wind Steps" at his disposal, he moved on to the next room, prepared for whatever was coming.
---
The final chamber was an imposing sight, a place that seemed designed to intimidate even the bravest of adventurers. It was immense, with a ceiling that stretched into darkness and walls covered in arcane symbols that glowed red, pulsing rhythmically like the beat of a giant heart. The air was charged with oppressive energy, and Richard's every breath felt heavy, as if the temple itself were testing his endurance.
In the center of the chamber, a colossal creature loomed, an amalgamation of stone and fire that seemed to have been sculpted by the same primordial forces that shaped the world. Its body was a mixture of rock blocks held together by incandescent magma that flowed between them, as if it were its blood. Its eyes glowed like burning embers, and every movement it made emitted a deep, guttural sound, like the creaking of a collapsing mountain. Richard gulped, feeling sweat trickle down his forehead even before the creature moved. The heat emanating from it was so intense that the air around it seemed to distort, creating a rippling effect that made it difficult to focus.
"Great..." he muttered, activating "Wind Steps" just in time to dodge a massive blow from the creature.
The impact of the attack resonated throughout the room, shaking the floor beneath his feet and kicking up a cloud of dust and rock fragments. Richard rolled to the side, quickly getting back on his feet as he assessed the situation. The creature was fast, much faster than he had anticipated for something of its size. Every time he tried to close in to attack, the guard seemed to anticipate his movements, forcing him to retreat.
"This isn't going to work..." he gasped, keeping his distance while trying to think of a plan. He remembered Elyndra's words during their training: "Don't rely solely on your strength or speed. Observe, analyze, find the pattern." He closed his eyes for a moment, blocking out the sound of the thumps and the roar of the guardian. When he opened them, he activated "Echo Vision."
At once, the world around him changed. The energy lines surrounding the guardian became visible, revealing an intricate pattern of movements and, most importantly, weak points in its structure. Cracks in the stone joints glowed with a faint light, like open wounds.
"There you are..." he murmured, a spark of confidence lighting his eyes.
Using "Wind Steps," Richard moved quickly toward one of the weak points. With a precise strike, he connected with the crack, causing the creature to roar and retreat. However, the damage wasn't enough to bring it down. The guardian responded furiously, unleashing a torrent of fire that filled the room. Richard barely managed to dodge it, feeling the scorching heat graze his skin. The fire left black marks on the ground, and the air became even more stifling.
"This is going to take a while..." he said, panting as he prepared for the next attack.
The battle continued, a game of patience and strategy. Richard dodged the guardian's attacks, studying its movements and looking for opportunities to attack its weak points. Each blow he managed to land weakened the creature, but also drained its energy.
At a critical moment, the guardian changed tactics. It slammed both arms into the ground, creating a shockwave that rippled through the room. Richard was thrown backward, crashing into one of the walls. The impact stunned him, and for a moment, all he could hear was the pounding of his own heart.
"I can't... give up now..." he muttered, struggling to his feet.
He activated Echo Vision again, desperately searching for a solution. It was then that he noticed something he had previously overlooked: the energy lines connecting the guardian to the symbols on the walls. It seemed the creature's power was coming from the room itself, and the symbols acted as conduits keeping it active.
"So there's your secret..." he said, a spark of determination lighting his eyes.
He decided to change strategy. Instead of attacking the guardian directly, he began moving toward the walls, dodging the attacks while searching for the brightest symbols. With each blow he landed on the symbols, the glow in the guardian's eyes dimmed, and his movements slowed.
The guardian, realizing what he was doing, roared in fury and redoubled his attacks. But Richard, now with a clear target, moved with a precision and determination he hadn't shown before. Each destroyed symbol weakened the guardian, until finally, he fell to his knees, his stone body beginning to crumble.
With a final effort, Richard launched himself toward the center of the room, where a larger symbol glowed brightly on the floor. With a final blow, he destroyed the symbol, and the guardian let out a roar that echoed throughout the room before collapsing completely.
The silence that followed was deafening. Richard sank to the floor, breathing heavily as sweat trickled down his forehead. The room, once filled with heat and oppressive energy, now felt calm, almost peaceful.
"I did it..." he murmured, closing his eyes for a moment to catch his breath.
A door opened on the other side of the room, revealing a hallway lit by a warm light. Richard struggled to his feet, staring at the door with a mixture of relief and determination. He had passed the third test, but he knew his journey was far from over.
"One more test... one step closer to the truth..." he said, moving toward the door. As he crossed the threshold, he couldn't help but feel a mixture of pride and anticipation. He had faced the guardian and emerged victorious, but he knew the true challenge was yet to come. With Wind Steps and Echo Vision at his disposal, he was ready to face whatever the temple had in store for him.
Richard felt a surge of energy course through his body. His mana increased by 3, restoring some of the energy he had lost during the trials. With a new sense of strength, he prepared for what was to come.
---
Richard found himself in a different world. The structures were impossible, floating in the air and connected by bridges of light. Magical creatures moved between them, and a powerful energy filled the air.
A voice echoed in his mind:
"This is the other side, the realm to which the temples connect. Here lies the lost knowledge, but also the danger that threatens to destroy both worlds."
The vision shifted, showing a great catastrophe: portals opening uncontrollably, creatures invading the human world, and a dark figure that seemed to control everything from the shadows.
"Balance must be restored. You are the key."
When the vision ended, Richard fell to his knees, breathing heavily.
"What does all this mean?" Richard murmured, holding the fragment in both hands, feeling a warm, pulsing energy emanate from it.
The voice echoed again, this time clearer, as if coming from everywhere and nowhere at once. It was deep, ancient, laden with a knowledge that seemed to transcend time.
"The fragment you possess is a piece of a greater whole, a vestige of a power that maintains the balance between the worlds. Each temple holds a fragment, and together they form the core that connects and stabilizes both realities. Without this balance, the worlds would collapse, dragging each other toward destruction."
Richard felt a chill run down his spine. The voice's words were clear, but the magnitude of what they implied was overwhelming.
"Why me?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper. "Why was I chosen for this?"
The voice responded with a calmness that belied the urgency of its words:
"It is not a matter of choice, but of destiny. Your actions, your decisions, have brought you here." You are the only one who can bear the weight of this mission, for within you lies the capacity to understand and face what lies ahead.
Richard clutched the shard tighter, feeling how the energy emanating from it seemed to synchronize with his heartbeat.
"What should I do?" he asked, his tone now firmer, though uncertainty still shone in his eyes.
The voice continued, its tone taking on a warning tinge:
"You must find the remaining shards. Each is hidden within a temple such as this, guarded by trials designed to challenge not only your strength, but also your mind and spirit. Each shard contains a fragment of lost knowledge, a piece of the puzzle you must assemble to understand the true nature of balance."
Richard nodded slowly, processing the voice's words. But before he could respond, the voice added something that made him pause.
"However, you are not alone in this quest. Others seek the shards as well, and not all of them have noble intentions." Some desire the power these fragments grant, and will not hesitate to destroy everything in their path to obtain it.
The warning made Richard's stomach tighten. He would not only have to face the trials of the temples, but also others that might be even more dangerous.
"How can I stop them?" he asked, his voice heavy with determination.
The voice responded, this time in a softer, almost paternal tone:
"Trust your allies, but also yourself. Learn from the fragments, for each one will grant you not only power, but also knowledge. Only when you have gathered all the fragments and understood their purpose will you be ready to face the darkness that threatens to consume both worlds."
The vision began to change. Richard felt the environment around him fade, as if he were being pulled back into the temple. But before everything disappeared, the voice said one last thing, laden with a gravity that made Richard's heart stop for a moment.
"The fate of both worlds is in your hands. Do not fail." Suddenly, Richard opened his eyes, finding himself back in the temple. The shard in his hand glowed with a warm light, as if responding to his determination. He breathed deeply, feeling a new energy flow through him, a mixture of fear, hope, and responsibility.
He stood slowly, looking at the shard with a look of resolve.
"I will not fail," he said softly, clutching the shard tightly.
With firm steps, he moved toward the temple exit. He knew his journey was just beginning, and that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges and dangers. But he also knew he couldn't afford to hesitate. The fate of two worlds depended on his success, and he was determined to fulfill the mission entrusted to him.
---
Richard left the temple, where Elyndra was waiting for him, her figure standing out against the horizon tinted by the last rays of the sun. The desert breeze gently stirred her cloak, and her gaze, fixed on Richard, reflected a mixture of relief, pride, and concern.
"You did it," Elyndra said, breaking the silence as Richard approached. Her voice was calm, but charged with an intensity she couldn't hide. "What did you see in there?"
Richard stopped in front of her, breathing deeply as he tried to gather his thoughts. He still felt the weight of the trials he had faced, and the voice's words echoed in his mind.
"I saw… something beyond this world," he began, his tone serious as he held up the fragment he had obtained. "An impossible place, filled with floating structures and pure energy. There were magical creatures, and a voice… a voice that spoke to me of the balance between the worlds."
Elyndra frowned, tilting her head slightly as she listened. She didn't interrupt him, allowing him to continue.
"She showed me a vision," Richard continued, clutching the fragment in his hand. "Rampageous portals, creatures invading our world, and a dark figure that seemed to be behind it all. The voice said this fragment is part of something larger, something that maintains the balance between our world and... that other side."
Elyndra nodded slowly, processing each word. Her expression grew graver, and her eyes seemed to wander off into the distance, as if she were remembering something.
"The other side..." she murmured, almost to herself. "I always knew the temples were connected to something else, but I never imagined it to be so literal. If what you say is true, then we're dealing with something much larger than we thought."
Richard looked at her, noting the concern on her face.
"The voice said I must find the remaining fragments," he added. "That each temple holds one, and that together they form the core that stabilizes both worlds." But he also warned that I'm not alone in this quest. There are others… others who want the fragments for less noble reasons.
Elyndra closed her eyes for a moment, letting out a deep sigh. When she opened them, her gaze was filled with determination.
"That explains a lot," she said finally. "The organization has been searching for these temples for years, but we never fully understood why. Now we know. If they obtain all the fragments, they could unleash unimaginable power… or destroy both worlds in the process."
Richard felt a chill run down his spine. The magnitude of what was at stake was overwhelming, but he also knew he couldn't afford to hesitate.
"So what do we do now?" he asked, his voice firm but laced with uncertainty.
Elyndra looked him straight in the eye, her expression serious but full of confidence.
"First, we need time to plan our next move," she replied. "But before that, we must get out of here."
Before she could continue, a noise in the distance interrupted them. They both turned toward the source of the sound, and what they saw made Elyndra frown.
Vehicles were approaching rapidly, their lights cutting through the desert gloom. The roar of the engines grew louder with each passing second, and a cloud of dust rose behind them.
"It's the organization," Elyndra said, her tone grave as her eyes followed the vehicles. "They found us."
Richard clenched his fists, feeling the adrenaline begin to course through his veins.
"Then we will fight," he said, his determination clear in every word.
Elyndra gave a small smile, a spark of pride shining in her eyes.
"That's what I wanted to hear," she replied, raising a hand as her magic began to glow with a deep blue radiance.
The wind around them began to stir, charged with magical energy. Richard activated "Wind Steps," feeling his body grow lighter, ready to move swiftly.
The vehicles stopped some distance away, and figures dressed in dark uniforms descended. They were armed, and their posture made it clear they hadn't come to negotiate.
"Richard, listen," Elyndra said, without taking her eyes off the enemies. "We can't allow them to capture us or obtain the fragment. If things get complicated, I want you to run." "Run?" Richard replied, surprised. "I'm not leaving you here."
Elyndra glanced at him, her expression gentle but firm.
"It's not a matter of choice. If we fall here, all will be lost. You carry the shard, and that makes you the primary target. I can handle myself, but you must ensure this shard doesn't fall into their hands."
Richard gritted his teeth, fighting the urge to argue. He knew Elyndra was right, but the thought of abandoning her filled him with frustration.
"Fine," he said finally, though his tone made it clear he wasn't entirely convinced. "But I'm not letting you face them alone."
Elyndra nodded, satisfied with his answer.
"Then let's make it quick," she said, as the first shots rang through the air.
The battle began with overwhelming intensity. Elyndra unleashed her magic, creating energy barriers that deflected enemy projectiles while launching precise attacks that disarmed her opponents. Richard, for his part, used Wind Steps to move swiftly among the enemies, disorienting them and striking with precision.
Despite his skill, the number of enemies seemed endless. For every one that fell, two more took their place. Richard began to feel the weight of the battle, but the determination in Elyndra's eyes kept him going.
"Richard, now!" Elyndra shouted, pointing to an opening in the enemy ranks.
Richard hesitated for a moment, but Elyndra's gaze convinced him. With one last glance at her, he activated Wind Steps and ran toward the opening, dodging the attacks that tried to stop him.
As he walked away, he heard Elyndra's voice echo in his mind:
"I trust you." Don't fail.
Richard clutched the shard in his hand, feeling its energy pulse strongly. He knew this was only the first of many battles, but he also knew he couldn't afford to fail. With the fate of two worlds at stake, he was determined to fulfill the mission entrusted to him.