章節 4: The Voices of the Valley
As Aelion and Kaelith left the temple's sanctuary, a soft light bathed the valley, filtered through the dense foliage of the trees. The path ahead, once so obscure, now seemed slightly clearer, as if nature itself was inviting them to continue their quest. Yet, a palpable tension hung in the air—a sense that the apparent tranquility masked dangers yet to come.
Their silent march was interrupted by a strange sound, a distant murmur that seemed to rise from the ground itself. Kaelith, ever vigilant, stopped abruptly, his golden eyes scanning the horizon. "Do you hear that?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Aelion nodded, his senses alert to the same phenomenon. "These are the voices of the valley. The spirits that inhabit this place." He closed his eyes, attempting to decipher the hidden messages within these ethereal murmurs. "They speak to us of the old world, of secrets buried beneath this land. But not all of them are benevolent. Some have been corrupted by time and pain."
Kaelith clenched his jaw. "Then we must stay on our guard. This valley is more than just a place to pass through. It's a test, like the temple. If we're not careful, it could become our grave."
The two elves resumed their march, but this time, every step was measured, every movement scrutinized. The valley, once a refuge, was gradually becoming a labyrinth of illusions and traps, where the spirits sought to lead them astray. Dull noises echoed beneath their feet, as though something deep within the earth was awakening as they drew near.
They reached a clearing bordered by tall, ancient stones covered in shimmering runes. Aelion paused to examine them, his fingers lightly tracing the carvings that seemed to vibrate under his touch. "These runes… They protect a passage. An ancient tunnel that runs through the valley. If the spirits of the valley are testing us, this is where we must prove our worth."
Kaelith eyed the stones with suspicion. "And what if it's a trap?"
Aelion was silent for a moment, his mind assessing the surrounding energies. "It could be. But I also sense a benevolent force here, something that seeks to guide us. We must be discerning."
He began to recite an incantation in the ancient Elvish tongue, calling upon the spirits of the earth to reveal their intentions. The runes on the stones glowed brighter, and the ground beneath their feet trembled slightly. An opening formed between the stones, revealing a staircase descending into the depths of the earth.
Kaelith, his eyes glowing with an inner fire, drew his blades, the flames surrounding them with a controlled intensity. "If this is where our path leads, then let's go down."
They entered the tunnel, where the darkness felt almost tangible. The walls were covered in ancient symbols, some distorted by time, others still glowing with a mysterious light. Aelion could feel the magic imbued in every stone, every grain of sand beneath his feet. It was an ancient place, built long before the fall of human civilization, perhaps even before the elves themselves emerged.
The whispers of the spirits grew louder as they descended, becoming more distinct, more urgent. Aelion listened intently, trying to decipher their message. "They're warning us… of something ancient, something that has watched over these tunnels for millennia."
Kaelith, ever vigilant, scanned their surroundings, his warrior instincts on high alert. "It could be a guardian, or worse, a creature left here to protect this place from intruders. We must be ready for anything."
They pressed on, the flames from Kaelith's blades casting flickering shadows on the damp walls. Finally, they reached a vast underground cavern, at the center of which stood a massive stone structure, surrounded by columns engraved with glowing symbols.
每周推薦票狀態
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