Mason stared at Darius.
Mason: "We're here because you led us here."
Darius smiled.
Darius: "Did I?"
Zack stepped forward.
Zack: "You knew we'd follow the tunnel."
Darius: "I knew you'd have no choice."
The massive golden doors behind them suddenly slammed shut.
BOOM.
Mason turned.
Mason: "We're trapped."
Darius: "Not trapped."
He stepped toward the tower.
Darius: "Contained."
Zack's wolf growled.
Danger.
The First Wolf moved between Darius and the two boys.
First Wolf: "You were never meant to enter this place."
Darius: "Neither were they."
He pointed at Mason and Zack.
Darius: "But the Gate has chosen them."
Mason looked up at the enormous tower.
Its walls were covered with carvings of wolves, moons, and two figures standing together.
Mason: "What is this place?"
Darius: "A prison."
Zack's eyes widened.
Zack: "For what?"
Darius didn't answer.
Instead, he walked toward a massive circular door at the base of the tower.
He placed his hand against it.
The entire structure began to shake.
THOOM.
The golden walls lit up.
Zack's necklace began glowing.
Then Mason's.
The two lights connected.
A symbol appeared on the door.
Mason recognized it immediately.
It was the same symbol that had appeared on the letter from his mother.
Mason: "That's the mark from the pact."
Darius: "Exactly."
Zack stepped closer.
Zack: "Why did our parents hide this from us?"
Darius looked at him.
Darius: "Because they knew what would happen if you opened the Gate."
Mason: "And what happens?"
Darius smiled.
Darius: "You'll find out."
Suddenly, the golden door opened.
A wave of cold air rushed past them.
Inside was a circular chamber with a massive stone altar in the center.
Two empty spaces were carved into the altar.
One for each necklace.
Zack stared at it.
Zack: "No..."
Mason: "What?"
Zack pointed.
Zack: "The necklaces."
The First Wolf's expression became serious.
First Wolf: "Do not place them there."
Darius laughed.
Darius: "Of course they should."
Mason looked between them.
Mason: "Why?"
The First Wolf: "Because once the necklaces are placed upon the altar..."
It paused.
First Wolf: "...the Gate opens."
Zack stepped backward.
Zack: "Then why did our parents give them to us?"
The First Wolf looked at him.
First Wolf: "They didn't."
Silence.
Mason: "What?"
The First Wolf looked toward Darius.
First Wolf: "Darius gave them to your families."
Zack's eyes widened.
Zack: "You?"
Darius smiled.
Darius: "I needed the bond to awaken."
Mason clenched his fists.
Mason: "You used us."
Darius: "I gave you a choice."
Mason: "What choice?"
Darius pointed toward the altar.
Darius: "Open the Gate willingly..."
His eyes began glowing red.
Darius: "...or watch me tear the bond apart."
Zack stepped beside Mason.
Mason looked at him.
Zack whispered:
Zack: "Whatever happens..."
Mason finished:
Mason: "...we stay together."
The First Wolf suddenly looked toward the ceiling.
First Wolf: "Too late."
A deep rumble shook the tower.
Something enormous stirred beneath the altar.
Then a voice echoed from somewhere deep inside the tower.
"WHO HAS COME TO OPEN MY PRISON?"
Everyone froze.
Darius's smile disappeared.
For the first time...
he looked afraid.