Leo and his guide had been following the trail of the Sunblade for several weeks, traveling across many lands and facing many dangers. They had finally reached their destination: a ruined temple in the middle of a desert.
The temple was an ancient and majestic structure, built by a civilization that had vanished long ago. It was made of stone and metal, carved with intricate patterns and symbols. It had a dome-shaped roof, supported by four pillars. It had a large door, that was sealed with a lock and a keyhole.
The guide dismounted his horse, and approached the door. He took out a key from his pocket, and inserted it into the keyhole. He turned it, and heard a click. The door opened, revealing a dark and dusty corridor.
He turned to Leo, who had also dismounted his horse.
He said:
We're here, boy. This is it. The temple of the Sunblade.
Leo felt a surge of awe and excitement. He had been dreaming of this moment for so long, ever since he had his first vision of the Sunblade. He hoped that his dream would come true, that he would find the sword and fulfill his destiny.
He followed his guide into the temple, leaving their horses outside.
They walked through the corridor, which was lit by torches on the walls. They saw paintings and statues, depicting scenes and figures from the ancient civilization. They saw writings and symbols, that they couldn't understand.
They reached the end of the corridor, where they found a large hall. The hall was circular, with a high ceiling and a skylight. In the center of the hall, there was a pedestal, on which there was a sword.
The sword was magnificent, unlike any sword Leo had ever seen. It had a golden hilt, shaped like a sun. It had a silver blade, that shone with a bright light. It looked powerful and beautiful, divine and magical.
It was the Sunblade.
Leo gasped.
He said:
There it is. The Sunblade.
The guide nodded.
He said:
Yes, boy. There it is. The sword of light. The sword of your prophecy.
He walked towards the pedestal, with Leo following him.
He said:
Come on then. Let's get it.
They reached the pedestal, and looked at the sword with admiration and awe.
The guide reached out his hand, and grabbed the sword by the hilt.
He said:
It's mine.
He pulled the sword out of the pedestal, and held it in the air.
He said:
It's mine!
He laughed maniacally, as he felt the sword's power coursing through his veins.
He said:
It's mine! All mine!
Leo felt a shock of betrayal and anger.
He said:
What? What are you doing? Give me that sword! It's mine!
The guide looked at Leo with contempt and malice.
He said:
Yours? Don't make me laugh, boy. You're nothing but a pawn in my game. A tool for my plan. A means to an end.
He pointed the sword at Leo, threateningly.
He said:
You see, boy, I've been lying to you all along. I'm not your guide. I'm not your friend. I'm your enemy. I'm a spy for the dark lord.
Leo felt a chill of fear and disbelief.
He said:
What? No! That can't be true! You're lying!
The guide shook his head.
He said:
No, boy. I'm telling you the truth. The truth that I've been hiding from you for so long. The truth that will destroy you.
He smirked evilly.
He said:
You see, boy, I've been following you since you left your village. I've been watching you and waiting for you to lead me to the Sunblade. I've been pretending to help you and protect you, but in reality I've been manipulating you and using you. I've been setting traps for you and creating obstacles for you, to test you and weaken you. I've been playing with you like a cat plays with a mouse.
He laughed wickedly.
He said:
And now, boy, the game is over. I have what I came for: the Sunblade. The only weapon that can combat the dark lord's power. The only weapon that can stop him from conquering the world.
He raised the sword in triumph.
He said:
And now, boy, I will do what you were supposed to do: I will face the dark lord and end his reign of terror. But not as his enemy, as his ally. Not as his foe, as his friend. Not as his challenger, as his champion.
He grinned wickedly.
He said:
You see, boy, I don't want to stop the dark lord. I want to join him. I want to serve him. I want to rule with him.
He lowered the sword, and pointed it at Leo's heart.
He said:
And you, boy, you are the only one who can stop me. You are the only one who can fulfill the prophecy. You are the only one who can wield the Sunblade.
He sneered cruelly.
He said: But you can't, boy. You can't. Because I have it. And you don't.
He almost stabbed Leo in the chest.
Leo said: Why did you betray me?
The guide shrugged.
He said:
Because I could, boy. Because I could.
He turned around, and walked towards the exit.
He said:
Farewell, boy. And good luck with your prophecy.
He left the temple, with the Sunblade in his hand.
He didn't know that he had triggered a deadly trap.
As soon as he left the temple, the door slammed shut behind him, locking him inside. The skylight closed above him, plunging him into darkness. The torches on the walls went out, leaving him in silence.
He heard a loud and ominous rumble, coming from below. He felt the ground shaking beneath his feet. He saw cracks appearing on the walls and ceiling.
He realized that the temple was collapsing.
He panicked.
He said:
What? What's happening? What's going on?
He ran towards the door, managing to get out at the last second.
He looked for the guide, but he left.