Ascension of the Eternal Game-Chapter 44: The Guardian’s Trial

The Whispering Woods lived up to their name. As Lyra and her companions followed the Guardian deeper into the forest, the air grew thick with an unsettling chorus of murmurs. The trees themselves seemed to lean in, their gnarled branches like fingers reaching out to snatch at the unwary. Lyra's hand rested on the hilt of her sword, her senses alert for any sign of danger. The Guardian moved ahead with an eerie grace, its white cloak billowing behind it like a ghost in the mist.

Thorne glanced at Lyra, his brow furrowed. "I don't like this," he muttered. "Feels like we're walking into a trap."

Lyra nodded, her eyes never leaving the Guardian's back. "I know. But we have to trust it—for now. We need to reach the gate."

Kael, walking a few paces behind, let out a low whistle. "Trust? That's a tall order. This place gives me the creeps."

Mikey, clutching his dagger tightly, piped up. "What if the Guardian's leading us to the Shadowveil?"

Lyra shook her head. "If it wanted us dead, it could have let the Shadowveil's minions finish us off. No, it wants something else."

The path ahead split into three identical trails, each disappearing into the fog. The Guardian stopped, turning to face them. "The woods test all who enter," it said, its voice echoing unnaturally. "Choose your path wisely, for only one leads to the gate."

Lyra's stomach churned. "How do we know which one to take?"

The Guardian's hood shifted, as if it were smiling. "That is for you to discern. The gate calls to those who are worthy."

Thorne scowled. "Great, a riddle. Just what we need."

Kael stepped forward, examining the paths. "Maybe there's a clue in the surroundings. Look for differences."

Mikey pointed to the left path. "That one has more footprints. Maybe others have gone that way."

Lyra shook her head. "Or it could be a trap to lure us in. The gate might not want to be found easily."

Elara, who had been quiet, spoke up. "The Guardian said the gate calls to the worthy. Perhaps we need to listen for its call."

Lyra considered this. "Like the whispers? Maybe if we focus, we can hear it."

Closing her eyes, Lyra tried to block out the whispers and focus on any other sound. At first, there was nothing but the rustling leaves and her own heartbeat. Then, faintly, she heard it—a low, resonant hum, like a distant bell tolling.

"There," she said, opening her eyes and pointing to the middle path. "I think it's coming from there."

Kael nodded. "I hear it too. Let's go."

As they pressed on, the hum grew louder, vibrating through the ground beneath their feet. But so did the whispers, now tinged with malice. Suddenly, the trees around them began to move, their branches twisting into grotesque shapes, forming barriers that blocked their way.

Thorne drew his sword. "Looks like the woods don't want us to pass."

Lyra notched an arrow. "Then we'll make them."

The group sprang into action. Thorne charged forward, his blade slicing through the bark with a satisfying crunch. Kael unleashed a burst of flame from his fingertips, setting the branches alight. Elara's arrows flew true, piercing the wooden limbs and pinning them to the trunks. Mikey darted between the trees, his small size allowing him to evade their grasp as he struck at their roots with his dagger.

But for every branch they severed, two more took its place, the woods seeming to grow angrier with each blow. Lyra heard a cry and turned to see Mikey ensnared by a tangle of vines, lifting him off the ground. "Mikey!" she shouted, racing toward him.

Thorne was closer, his sword flashing as he hacked at the vines. But they were too thick, too resilient. Kael's magic sputtered, his mana reserves low from the earlier battle.

"Hold on, Mikey!" Lyra called, drawing her own dagger and climbing the tree to reach him.

Just as she was about to strike, a blinding light erupted from the Guardian's form, and the vines recoiled, releasing Mikey. He fell into Thorne's arms, gasping for breath.

The Guardian's voice rang out, calm but commanding. "The woods respect strength, but they bow to those who understand their pain."

Lyra helped Mikey to his feet, her eyes narrowing at the Guardian. "What do you mean?"

"The Whispering Woods were once a place of peace, until the Shadowveil corrupted them. To pass, you must not only fight but also heal."

Elara stepped forward, her staff glowing softly. "If the woods are corrupted, perhaps we can cleanse them. I know a spell, but it will take time and concentration."

Lyra nodded. "We'll protect you. Do it."

As Elara began to chant, her voice weaving through the air like a melody, the woods reacted violently. Branches lashed out, and the ground trembled as roots burst forth.

Lyra and Thorne stood back to back, fending off the attacks. Kael's spells created barriers of light, holding the worst at bay. Mikey, though shaken, threw himself into the fray, his dagger flashing.

Slowly, the corruption began to recede, the dark tendrils shrinking back as Elara's magic took hold. The whispers softened, becoming less hostile, more mournful.

With a final surge of light, Elara's spell completed, and the woods stilled. The path ahead opened, the trees parting to reveal a faint glow in the distance.

The Guardian inclined its head. "You have proven yourselves. The gate awaits."

As they stepped forward, Lyra couldn't shake the feeling that the true test was yet to begin. The glow ahead pulsed like a heartbeat, and she wondered what price the gate would demand.

Follow current novels on ƒreewebηoveℓ.com.