The forest surrounding the temple felt denser as the group pressed on, the air thick with a sense of foreboding. The light that filtered through the canopy above seemed to dim with each step, and a strange silence settled around them, broken only by the crunch of leaves beneath their boots.
Jacob walked at the front, his hand gripping the pouch containing the crystal shard. He could feel its weight, not just physical but emotional, as if the artifact were burdened with memories of the darkness they had just faced. Behind him, Zara and Liara exchanged wary glances, their earlier confidence shaken by the encounter with Kael.
"We need to find a safe place to rest," Zara said, her voice low. "The shard's energy is unstable. It's affecting the balance of this area."
Jacob nodded, but his thoughts were elsewhere. He couldn't shake the feeling that Kael's words had been more than a threat. They carried a truth he wasn't ready to face.
As they moved deeper into the forest, a faint glow appeared ahead, beckoning them forward. The light led them to a clearing where a serene pool of water reflected the sky above. At its edge stood a simple stone altar, etched with ancient symbols.
"This place is sacred," Zara said, her eyes widening. "The Mirror Pool. It's said to reveal one's true self."
Liara raised an eyebrow. "That sounds ominous. Do we really have time for soul-searching?"
"It might not be a choice," Jacob said, gesturing to the pool. The water began to ripple, though no wind disturbed its surface. A soft hum filled the air, and the reflection of the group in the water began to shift.
"What's happening?" Liara asked, stepping back.
"The pool is reacting to the shard," Zara said, her voice tense. "It's drawing out... something."
The ripples coalesced into images, each one tied to a member of the group. Jacob saw himself, but different—his reflection was darker, his eyes filled with a cold determination that sent a chill through him. Beside him, Liara's reflection showed her standing alone, her bow broken and her expression haunted. Zara's reflection was the most startling; she stood amidst flames, her staff shattered, but her eyes burned with a fierce resolve.
"Is this our future?" Liara whispered, her voice trembling.
"No," Zara said firmly. "This is a warning. The pool shows us what we fear most, what could happen if we falter."
Jacob stepped closer to the water, his reflection staring back at him with unflinching intensity. "Or maybe it's showing us what we're capable of becoming."
The images faded, and the pool stilled. A sudden gust of wind swept through the clearing, carrying with it the faint sound of whispers. The group turned, their weapons ready, but nothing emerged from the shadows.
"We need to move," Zara said, her tone urgent. "This place has given us what it can. Staying here any longer is dangerous."
As they left the clearing, the sense of unease lingered. Each of them carried the weight of what they had seen, the reflections etched into their minds like scars. They didn't speak, the silence heavy with unspoken fears and questions.
Jacob led the way, his thoughts a storm of doubt and determination. The Mirror Pool had shown him a side of himself he didn't want to acknowledge, a side that could easily be consumed by the darkness they fought against. But it had also reminded him of what was at stake.
The forest thinned as they approached the edge of a steep ravine. Across it lay a narrow bridge, its wooden planks weathered but intact. Zara paused, her gaze scanning the area.
"This is the only way forward," she said. "But it's not going to be easy."
Liara stepped forward, testing the first plank with her foot. "It'll hold. We just need to be careful."
One by one, they crossed, the bridge creaking under their weight. Halfway across, Jacob felt the shard pulse in its pouch, a wave of energy rippling through him. The bridge swayed violently, and a shadowy figure emerged at the far end.
Kael.
"You can't escape me," he called, his voice echoing across the ravine. "The darkness is already within you."
Jacob drew his dagger, his eyes narrowing. "Then come and face it."
Kael stepped onto the bridge, his blade drawn, and the final planks groaned under the weight of their confrontation. Jacob braced himself, knowing that this battle would test not only his strength but the fragile alliance holding them together.
ns 15.158.61.244da2
