The temple groaned with ancient breath, its massive stone doors parting with a hiss of forgotten magic. Dust motes danced in the soft glow of Isabella's conjured Aetherlight, a pale-blue orb humming quietly above her palm. Jake followed close behind, his sword drawn and senses alert.
The path led them to a vast circular chamber, vines and arcane carvings lining its fractured walls. In the center stood a stone golem—ten feet tall, plated with enchanted runes and crystal joints that pulsed with dormant power. As the two cousins stepped forward, its eyes flared to life with a violet hue.
"Back!" Jake warned, raising his sword.
But Isabella stepped forward, power welling up in her chest. She raised her hand and focused—Aetherwell flared to life.
The golem charged.
Isabella dodged to the left, releasing a bolt of compressed energy. Aether Blast! The golem reeled, one arm chipped. With a shout, she formed an Aether Shield, blocking a retaliatory blow that sent her skidding back. Her mind raced—heat, motion, electricity—energy sources surged around her. She absorbed more, her body glowing faintly with accumulated power.
Now focused, she formed an Aether Construct—a spear of pure energy—and launched it at the golem's core. With a loud crack, the construct pierced the runes in its chest. The light in its eyes dimmed, then vanished entirely as the golem collapsed into rubble.
Jake blinked. "That… was incredible."
Breathing heavily, Isabella grinned. "I think I'm finally getting the hang of this."
Behind the fallen golem, the great doors creaked open, revealing a hidden library unlike anything they'd seen before.
Tall obsidian shelves held glowing grimoires, magical tomes, and scrolls floating gently between worlds. The air pulsed with mana. Isabella's eyes widened in awe—this was a treasure trove of arcane knowledge. She immediately began collecting select grimoires—some ancient, some seemingly aware of her presence.
Meanwhile, Jake explored deeper.
Toward the back of the library, nestled behind a collapsed pillar, he discovered a stone archway with a partially opened door. Inside was a dim, circular room with a single pedestal—and resting atop it, a strange, watch-like device.
Sleek, metallic, and engraved with spiraling runes, the object emitted a faint, silvery-blue glow.
Jake stepped closer.
As his fingers brushed its surface, a sudden voice echoed:
"Anthecian DNA detected. Beginning binding process."
The device sprang to life.
"What the hell?!"
It launched from the pedestal, latched onto his right wrist, and clamped tight.
Jake screamed, trying to rip it off. But it refused to budge. Runes snaked up his forearm, burning momentarily before settling beneath his skin.
The voice returned, calm and mechanical:
"Welcome, bearer. The Mythatrix is now bonded. Unleash the legends within."