Chapter 5: The Trials of the Ruins

Chapter 5

Chapter 5: The Trials of the Ruins

Eli and Kael stood in the clearing, the ancient ruins of the Wandmaker’s workshop looming before them like a monument to secrets long forgotten. The air seemed to thrum with energy, and the faint golden glow from within the ruins cast eerie shadows across the crumbled stone walls.

Eli tightened his grip on the wand, his pulse quickening. “What did you mean by ‘what comes next’?” he asked, his voice tense.

Kael smirked, though it lacked the usual cocky charm. “The Wandmaker was no fool, mate. You don’t think he’d leave his legacy lying around unprotected, do you? No, there are trials inside—tests, traps, maybe even guardians. And if you don’t pass, you don’t make it out.”

Eli swallowed hard. His fear grew stronger, but so did his resolve. “Let’s get this over with.”

Kael chuckled softly. “Brave words. Let’s see if you can back them up.”

The two of them stepped into the ruins, the faint glow illuminating the path ahead. The walls were covered in intricate carvings, runes that seemed to shift and shimmer when Eli looked directly at them. The ground was uneven, littered with debris and overgrown with vines. It felt like walking into the heart of another world.

They reached a wide chamber, the air thick with magic. At the center stood three pedestals, each holding an object—a shimmering crystal, an ornate golden key, and a small vial filled with a glowing blue liquid. Above them, ancient words were etched into the stone in a language Eli couldn’t understand.

“What do we do now?” Eli asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kael stepped closer, studying the pedestals and the writing. “We choose,” he said simply. “The right object will open the way forward. The wrong one… well, I’d rather not find out.”

Eli frowned, his gaze shifting between the three objects. The crystal seemed to vibrate gently, calling to him in a way he couldn’t explain. The key gleamed in the golden light, its design intricate and regal. The vial’s contents swirled as though alive, radiating a faint warmth.

He reached toward the crystal, but Kael grabbed his arm. “Wait,” Kael said, his tone sharp. “The trials are designed to test more than your instincts. You have to think this through.”

Eli hesitated, his heart racing. He glanced at Kael, who seemed unusually serious, and then back at the pedestals. The Keeper’s words echoed in his mind: *Trust no one.* But could he trust himself?

After a moment, he made his choice. He reached out, his fingers closing around the shimmering crystal. As he lifted it from the pedestal, the chamber began to shake, the air crackling with energy. A hidden door in the wall slid open, revealing a dark passageway.

Kael let out a low whistle. “Well, looks like you picked right. This time.”

Eli’s relief was short-lived. From the shadows of the passageway emerged a figure cloaked in darkness, its eyes burning with green fire. It held a staff twisted like gnarled roots, and when it spoke, its voice was a guttural growl.

“You seek the Wandmaker’s legacy,” the figure said, its presence filling the chamber. “But you are not worthy.”

Eli’s grip on the wand tightened as the figure stepped closer, its gaze fixed on him. The trials had only begun.