บท 20: The Rise of the Guardian
As the dust of battle in the cave slowly settled, the atmosphere turned silent. The cave walls, which had previously trembled, now stood firm, as if observing the remaining warriors amidst the ruins.
Arya stood in the middle, his body weary, yet his gaze remained full of determination. The chakra in his hand slowly dimmed, and he felt a strange emptiness, as if part of him had vanished in the earlier explosion.
"Arya, are you okay?" asked Laksmi, who walked towards him with a limp, her shimmering staff now emitting a dim light.
"I'm... just a little tired," Arya replied, trying to smile. But in his heart, he knew that the great power he had just used did not come without a price.
Mahendra helped Laksmi stand upright, then looked at Arya with a face full of concern. "We have to get out of this cave now." The cracks in the wall look worse.
Arya nodded, then they began walking towards the cave's exit. Every step felt heavy, not only because of the wounds they had suffered but also because of the lingering fear left by Durgama's earlier presence.
However, as they were about to reach the mouth of the cave, a soft yet firm voice was heard. "You are not done here yet."
The three of them turned around cautiously. In front of them, an old man in a blue robe stood atop the ruins. His gaze was sharp, full of authority, and his body radiated a warm aura that contrasted with the previous darkness.
"Who are you?" Mahendra asked, raising his sword with full vigilance.
The old man smiled faintly. "I am the Keeper of this Seal." "Your task has brought you to an important step, but this is not the end of the journey."
Arya looked at the man, sensing something familiar in his aura. "Guardian of the Seal?" "If you are the guardian, why could the seal be broken?"
The old man approached, his steps light as if he were not touching the ground. "The seal can only be broken by those who possess the chakra of light. But its destruction does not mean that evil will triumph." On the contrary, this is part of the destiny that must happen."
"What destiny?" Laksmi interjected, her tone full of curiosity yet suspicion.
"The destiny where darkness and light must achieve a new balance," the old man replied calmly. "You, especially you, Arya, have a significant role in creating that balance."
Arya frowned. "I just want to protect this world. "If breaking the seal is a mistake, I..."
The old man raised his hand, interrupting Arya. "Not a mistake, but a necessary step." There is something greater behind that seal something you do not yet know. "But before you take another step, I must ensure you are ready."
"Ready for what?" asked Mahendra, now calmer but still on guard.
"To face the final trial," the man replied, waving his hand. Suddenly, a bright blue light enveloped the cave, making it impossible for the three of them to see anything.
As the light faded, Arya, Laksmi, and Mahendra found themselves in a different place. A vast plain stretched out, adorned with gigantic stone pillars that resembled ancient monuments. The sky above them was golden, and the wind blowing carried a strange aroma of nostalgia.
"What is this?" Laksmi whispered while looking around.
"Your final exam," the old man's voice was heard, even though his figure was no longer visible. "In this place, you will face your deepest fears, your greatest doubts, and your hidden desires." If you succeed, the door to your destiny will open. If you fail, you will never return.
Those words echoed in the air, leaving tension in their hearts. Arya clenched his fist, trying to suppress the tremor that was starting to emerge.
"Are you ready?" the voice sounded again, this time closer.
Arya glanced at Laksmi and Mahendra, then nodded firmly. "Whatever awaits us, we will face it together."
With that decision, the stone pillars around them began to glow, and a large portal appeared in the middle of the field, emanating a challenging mysterious aura.
Silence enveloped the cave that was once filled with the roar of battle. The air felt heavy, as if bearing the weight of thousands of years of history that had just been awakened. Arya stood amidst the ruins, his body covered in wounds, yet his eyes remained ablaze with determination. In his hand, the Chakra of Light trembled slowly, as if waiting for a command.
Laksmi and Mahendra approached Arya, their breaths panting. On their faces, a mix of relief and exhaustion was evident. However, the victory they achieved felt like the beginning of something much greater.
"We did it," said Laksmi in a hoarse voice, leaning on her staff which now glowed dimly.
"Not yet," murmured Arya, gazing at the Cakra in his hand. "I can feel it." Durgama is still out there. He is just waiting for the right moment."
Mahendra clenched his fist, his eyes sweeping across the room filled with ancient carvings. "Then we must get out of here before everything collapses."
However, before they could take a step, a soft yet firm voice echoed in the room. "You have awakened the Keeper of the Seal." "Prepare yourselves for your true test."
The three of them stopped, turning towards the voice. In front of them, a figure slowly emerged from the light. A man in a golden robe with a chakra-shaped crown stood there. His face radiated boundless wisdom, and his aura brought both tranquility and strength.
"Who are you?" asked Laksmi, trying to maintain her composure.
"I am the Guardian of this Seal," the man replied. "Your presence here has awakened a power that has been hidden for thousands of years." However, only those with a pure heart and strong determination can continue this journey."
Arya stepped forward, his gaze full of confidence. "What must we do?"
The Keeper of the Seal smiled faintly. "You must face the final trial." A journey into your hearts and souls. There, you will find the truth about yourselves and your destiny.
Suddenly, the cave floor began to tremble. The stone pillars around them glowed, creating a circle of light that surrounded the three of them. A large portal opened in the middle of the circle, emitting a dazzling blue light.
"Enter," said the Keeper of the Seal. "Beyond this portal, your trial awaits." If you succeed, you will emerge with enough power to fight the darkness. If you fail, you will never return."
Arya stared at the portal resolutely. He knew, this was not just about him. The world depends on his success. He glanced at Laksmi and Mahendra, who gave him a nod full of confidence.
"We'll face this together," said Arya.
With steady steps, the three of them entered the portal. The blue light enveloped them, transporting them to a strange world, filled with challenges that would test the limits of their strength, determination, and friendship.
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Oyex_Sabiansyah
Oyex_Sabiansyah Thank you for following Arya and his companions' journey up to this chapter. The trial behind the portal will reveal their deepest secrets. Will they be able to overcome the challenges and find their true strength? Keep following this story to answer the big questions that are starting to unfold.
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