Zanto, Kyro, and the guide they had rescued began their perilous ascent toward the sacred temple. The guide — whose name was Elara — though still weak, proved to be an invaluable asset. She led them through treacherous paths, avoiding deadly cliffs and hidden chasms with practiced precision.
"This temple is a place of immense power," Elara said, her voice echoing through the howling wind. "It is said the gods themselves once walked within these halls. Be cautious — its power tests those who are unworthy."
As they climbed higher, the world around them began to warp into something strange. The trees twisted into unnatural shapes, and the wind carried faint whispers that seemed to speak directly into their minds. Zanto could feel the Aetherium within him pulsing uneasily, as though warning him of the danger ahead.
Suddenly, the path ended at the edge of a vast abyss. There was no bridge, no detour — only a yawning chasm separating them from their destination.
"This is impossible," Elara said, despair creeping into her voice. "I've never seen this ravine before. It must have been created by the corruption… by the monsters."
Zanto stepped forward, narrowing his eyes as he studied the chasm. He could feel a deep magical force pulsing below — the same energy that had tainted the valley and twisted its creatures into abominations.
"This isn't a natural barrier," Kyro rumbled. "It's a trial. We'll have to find a way across if we want to reach the temple."
Zanto thought quickly. He could fly across the chasm himself, but Kyro and Elara could not. They needed a way to cross together.
Then, an idea struck him. He remembered the Aetherium crystals he had encountered in the Stone Forest — how they could focus and amplify magic. Perhaps he could use his own energy to create a bridge… if he had a proper conduit.
"Kyro," Zanto said, "do you still have one of the Aetherium shards we found?"
Kyro nodded and reached into his pouch, pulling out a small, glimmering fragment. "I kept one for emergencies," he said. "Will it work?"
"It has to," Zanto replied. He took the crystal and closed his eyes, focusing his mind on the Aetherium within him. He visualized the flow of energy through his wings — the same force that allowed him to fly and unleash blasts of magic.
Opening his eyes, he held the Aetherium shard before him. The crystal began to glow brightly, radiating an intense blue light. Zanto channeled his power into it, amplifying and focusing the flow.
With a sharp cry, he thrust the crystal toward the abyss. A beam of pure energy shot out, striking the opposite cliff. As it touched stone, the energy solidified — forming a shimmering bridge of pure Aetherium that stretched across the chasm.
Elara and Kyro watched in awe as the bridge extended, connecting both sides in a cascade of blue light. The gentle glow illuminated their path, filling them with renewed hope.
"You did it!" Elara exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement. "You've passed the trial!"
Zanto smiled faintly, though he knew this was far from over. The chasm was only the first of many challenges awaiting them in the sacred temple.
"Let's go," he said. "We still have a long way to climb."
The three of them carefully crossed the Aetherium bridge, their footsteps echoing above the depths below. As soon as they reached the other side, the bridge dissolved into particles of light, leaving them on a narrow mountain path.
They pressed on, every sense on edge. The air grew heavier, and the pulse of divine energy around them intensified. The temple was close — and with it, a deep, foreboding presence.
At last, they reached the mountain's summit. The sacred temple stood before them — a towering structure of gleaming white stone, perched upon the highest peak. It radiated an aura of power and divinity; Zanto could feel the essence of ancient gods coursing through the air itself.
But something was wrong. The temple was not as serene and radiant as Elara had described. It was dark, shrouded in shadows that clung to its walls. A sinister aura seeped from within, corrupting the light around it.
"What happened here?" Elara whispered, her voice trembling. "This isn't the temple I remember…"
As they approached the entrance, a cloaked figure stepped into their path — blocking the doorway. The figure stood motionless, its face hidden beneath the hood, emanating an overwhelming presence of power.