THE GUARDIAN OF SHADOWS
The dawn bathed the village of Eldrion in a faint golden glow. Kyrahna adjusted her cloak as she waited for Zyrion at the village entrance. Two days had passed since they found the mysterious crystal and the scroll in the sanctuary. Both knew their lives would never be the same.
"Are you going to take all day, Zyrion? Or should I send you a formal invitation to show up on time?" Kyrahna shouted, visibly impatient.
From one of the nearby huts, Zyrion ran out while putting on his gloves. “I’m coming, I’m coming! What happened to patience? I thought nature masters like you were supposed to be more zen.”
Kyrahna crossed her arms. “Zen or not, I don’t want nightfall catching us in the middle of the forest again. And considering your tendency to trip over every branch, we need all the daylight we can get.”
Zyrion feigned exaggerated offense. “Hey! That trip was strategic. I was testing the stability of the terrain to make sure we weren’t ambushed.”
“Right, sure. Did you also trip on the altar because you wanted to test its durability?” Kyrahna replied with a teasing smile as she began walking.
Zyrion followed her, adjusting the dragon figurine in his pocket. “For your information, that altar had a very slippery design. But putting my explorer skills aside, why did you drag me out so early today? I thought we were going to study the crystal calmly.”
Kyrahna looked toward the horizon. “Elder Dervan said the crystal might be linked to a much greater power, remember? Last night, while reviewing the scroll, I found something else. A kind of map hidden between the words, as if intentionally concealed.”
Zyrion raised a brow, intrigued. “A map? Where does it lead?”
“I’m not entirely sure, but it seems to point to a cave to the east, in the Eldramor Mountains. According to the stories, those mountains are full of ancient secrets. Maybe we can find more answers there.”
“Eldramor? The same mountains where, according to tales, giant bears live and snakes spit fire? Great, why don’t we just schedule an appointment with our death while we’re at it?” Zyrion said sarcastically.
Kyrahna let out a soft laugh. “If you're scared, you can stay here. Of course, you'll have to explain to the villagers why their ‘chosen one’ decided to hide under his bed.”
“First of all, I'm not scared,” Zyrion replied, raising a finger to emphasize it. “And second, if I hide under my bed, it’s because I’m looking for my spare boots. But fine, let’s explore the mountains. Nothing like a bit of danger to start the day!”
As they walked toward Eldramor, the forest around them seemed quieter than usual. Branches cracked under their feet, and the wind whispered through the trees. Zyrion tried to break the tension with a joke.
“You know what’s good about this walk? I don’t have to worry about paying rent this month. If a bear eats me, technically I’m debt-free.”
Kyrahna shook her head, though she couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re impossible. But seriously, Zyrion, this isn’t a game. That crystal didn’t appear in our lives by accident. What we’re doing could change everything we know.”
Zyrion paused for a moment, his tone turning more serious. “I know, Kyrahna. I just try to keep things light because, honestly... I’m a little scared. I don’t know what it means to be ‘chosen’ or what I’m supposed to do with this crystal. But if you believe in this, then I trust we’re doing the right thing.”
Kyrahna looked at him, surprised by his sincerity. “Thank you, Zyrion. And don’t worry, we’ll figure it out together. Always.”
After hours of walking, the terrain began to slope upward. The Eldramor Mountains rose imposing before them, covered in mist. Near the base, they found a hidden entrance between the rocks, surrounded by symbols similar to those in the sanctuary.
“This must be it,” Kyrahna said, examining the carvings. “These symbols match those on the scroll.”
“Perfect,” Zyrion said, pulling a torch from his backpack. “Nothing like a dark, mysterious cave to make my day even better.”
Upon entering, the air grew colder and heavier. The torchlight revealed walls covered with inscriptions and drawings of dragons. The ground was littered with debris and dust, and droplets echoed in the distance.
“This is incredible,” Kyrahna whispered, running her fingers over the inscriptions. “These carvings are much older than I expected. Look at this dragon—he seems to be protecting something.”
“Protecting what? Treasure? A curse? Or maybe a lunch he forgot in his cave?” Zyrion asked while examining a statue.
Before Kyrahna could answer, a dull noise rumbled from the depths. Both turned quickly, eyes wide.
“Please tell me that was your stomach,” Zyrion said, taking a step back.
“That wasn’t my stomach,” Kyrahna replied, drawing her dagger. “Get ready. Whatever it is, we’re not alone.”
From the shadows emerged a massive stone guardian—grey-skinned, muscular, with eyes glowing like embers.
“Intruders,” it growled. “No one steps into these lands without proving their worth.”
Zyrion lifted his hands. “Hey, buddy! We don’t want trouble. We’re just looking for answers. How about we skip the trial and go to the chapter where we all become friends?”
The guardian slammed its fist into the ground, shaking the cave. “Silence. To continue, you must prove your strength and your heart.”
Kyrahna stepped forward. “Zyrion, I think this is our trial. If the crystal chose you, this might be part of your destiny.”
“My destiny? Why can’t it be a destiny that includes naps and pastries?” Zyrion muttered, unsheathing his sword.
The battle began. The guardian was overwhelmingly strong. Each punch created shockwaves, making it hard to keep balance. Kyrahna dodged with agility while Zyrion searched for an opening.
“Kyrahna! Distract him! I have an idea!” Zyrion shouted.
“An idea? I hope it’s better than your jokes!” she replied, throwing a dagger to grab the guardian’s attention.
Zyrion climbed a pillar and jumped toward the guardian, striking a crack in its back. With a precise blow, his sword lodged deep, causing the creature to collapse to its knees.
“I did it!” Zyrion cheered, raising his arms.
The guardian turned calmly toward them. “You have proven your worth. The path is open. But remember: what you seek is not only power. It is a destiny that will mark you forever.”
The creature turned to dust, and a hidden door opened at the end of the cave.
“See? I told you I could do it,” Zyrion said, exhausted but proud.
Kyrahna laughed softly. “Well done, heroic comedian. But this is only the beginning.”
They crossed the new doorway. A dim corridor illuminated by floating crystals stretched before them.
“At least this part has lights,” Zyrion said. “Though these floating crystals are kind of creepy. Are they enchanted? Ancient magic? And what if—”
“Zyrion, please,” Kyrahna interrupted. “Focus. If this is what I think it is, we’re in territory linked to the original fragments. One wrong step and we might activate something worse than the stone guardian.”
“Worse? What’s worse than a giant fist trying to squash me? Although… these drawings are interesting. Look—this dragon seems to be eating a star. Does that mean anything?”
Kyrahna approached the image. “It could symbolize absolute power. According to ancient legends, dragons could consume cosmic energy to fuel their strength. If the fragments are connected to dragons, it makes sense their energy is so devastating.”
“Great,” said Zyrion. “So not only are we dealing with magic fragments, but also with beings that literally ate stars. What’s next? A dragon spitting fragments at us?”
Before she could respond, a metallic sound echoed behind them—like a door closing.
“This is starting to feel like one of those horror stories where the protagonists never return,” Zyrion murmured, tightening his grip on his sword. “If I hear a creepy laugh, I’m running.”
“Zyrion, relax,” Kyrahna said, creating a small magical light in her palm. “We’re not alone, that’s clear. But as long as we stick together, we can handle it.”
They reached a massive circular chamber. The ceiling was full of crystals reflecting colorful lights. In the center, an altar held a fragment floating and radiating bright white light.
“It’s a fragment,” Kyrahna whispered. “This is what we were looking for.”
“This seems way too easy,” Zyrion said. “Where’s the trap?”
Kyrahna extended her hand—but a shadow formed on the wall. It grew into a warrior clad in worn black armor, wrapped in a dark aura.
“Intruders. The fragment is not for the weak. Prove your strength… or perish.”
Zyrion stepped forward. “Why do they always want to kill us first? Can’t we just talk like civilized adults?”
The warrior unsheathed a dark sword that absorbed light.
“I guess that’s a no,” Kyrahna said, drawing her dagger.
The fight was brutal. The warrior was unexpectedly fast. Every strike echoed like thunder. Zyrion blocked desperately while Kyrahna analyzed the aura.
“Kyrahna! Find his weak point!”
“I’m trying! The aura gives him strength. If we disperse it, we can weaken him!”
“How?! Do we politely ask him to turn off his evil aura?!”
Kyrahna threw a dagger at a ceiling crystal, shattering it. The released light struck the warrior, forcing him back.
“That’s it! We need more light! Break the dark crystals!”
“With pleasure! I always wanted to smash lamps during a deadly battle!”
They shattered several crystals. Light flooded the chamber. The warrior roared and dissolved into smoke.
Zyrion dropped to his knees. “If I ever say I want more adventures, hit me. This is too much.”
Kyrahna approached the altar and picked up the fragment. “We did it. This is just the beginning, but it’s an important step.”
“Yeah, a step toward a nervous breakdown,” Zyrion said. “What’s next? A real dragon?”
Kyrahna smiled. “Come on. We have much to analyze.”
As they left the cave, the fragment glowed in her hands. Triumph—and fear—followed them. They knew this was only the beginning of something far greater.
TO BE CONTINUED…