Chapter 98: The final Ascent

Chapter 98: The Final Ascent

The temple stretched ahead of Natasha and Alison like as old, stone guardian – its towering stone rising from the ground and twined with climbers and adorned with a complicated artwork that depicted animals and plants and celestial signs. It was as if power was charged in the very air – the air of the jungle, oppressed as it were at receiving an anticipated shock.

"Here it is," Natasha repeated with heroism to her breast. That is why the Heart of the Jungle has to be inside.

As for Alison, he stopped and gripping his axe firmly he surveyed their environment. As such, let us not get careless: If the trials were any example, this's going to be no walk in the park."

They stepped to the gates of the temple—enormous opening with a pair of statues of jaguars above it. Approaching the statues, the eyes of the statues lit up and a low tone voice, The statues began to speak.

"Who would ever come near the Temple of the Eternal Balance?"

Natasha spoke confidently and continued, I'll take the lead and step forward. Here are also descendants of slaves and 'we are seekers, chosen by the jungle'. Tell them that we have tested our metal and proved worthy in as many ways as they have tried us.

The earth somehow rumbled as the statues moved, the rotation of their heads following Natasha and Alison.

"Make one final statement," the loud voice said. Booty awaits only the Pure at Heart in this temple of the Jungle. Get in and let the jungle decide".

The doors of the temple creaked as who ever designed it wanted to make them look like the gates of hell. The two women locked eyes for a moment before entering the building.

---

The air within the temple was dun and heavy with the smell of mould and soil. There were torches along the walls and as they lit up the corridor all you saw were wavering silhouettes. Carvings here were more graphic to read out a story about the yin yang - creation and destruction, creation and destruction, light and darkness etc.

"Natasha," Rich said turning around, he noticed her standing behind him, "It is beautiful, isn't it?"

"It's a warning," Alison said frowzily, indicating to a picture that showed a big tree on flames with animals running away. "Balance can be broken. And when it is, everything suffers."

They proceeded futher into the temple until they got to a large circular area. In front of where the Ravens and Sato spoke stood a platform with one of the world'sfew remaining: the Heart of the Jungle, radiating a bright golden light. The chamber was surrounded by six pillars, each carved with a different element: fire, water, earth, air, light and darkness.

"I think this is too easy," said Alison aloud while making round in the room his eyes making round in the room. "Where's the challenge?"

It was as if in reply the earth grew wavy and the pillars were coming to light. Now someone appeared in the shadow—Inhuman figure with the body looking like the bush from which he stepped out with the green eyes.

Then closing its eyes and extending its hands the figure spoke "I am the Guardian of Balance." It says, 'In order to get the Heart you need to show that you are one.' This means that only by combining their forces can all of them envisage success.

The floor started to floor and split into two different platforms and they were on different ones. In the middle was a series of small floating tiles with symbols on them and the hands included animals, plant, and astronomy related pictures.

"It's a puzzle," Natasha said, looking at the board of symbols. ''I think as a team it is up to us to try and look for the direction.''

Before you take it, answer this: That is power and what do you intend doing with it? Why do you seek it?"

Natasha glanced at Alison and then again at the Guardian. It is about the Heart that we have come to attempt to right the scales—of the jungle and the world. Men have become greedy and exploitative of members in the society as seen in different events. This is the reason why branded counted said: "We want to make things right."

The Guardian tilted its head to one side and its green eyes stared. "And you, warrior? What drives you?"

Then suddenly out of nowhere, Alison badly took the lead, his voice authoritative. 'I understood from experience the consequences – the abuse that comes when balance shifts—that people can take and take and take but they don't give anything in return.' Therefore, I would like to save what is remaining and guarantee that the next generations are going to have something they could live for.

The Guardian was quiet for a moment then you nodded. "Your purposes are pure. In my view, I want to inform you that all of you have deserved it."

The Heart of the Jungle shone even more and as soon as Alison together with Natasha touch it unknown energy ran through the duo. It took a vision for them to see visions of an abundant rainforee, fulgent wildlife and symbiosis of man and environment. They said that they were the inhabitants of the jungle and that the jungle itself spoke to them conveying it strength and knowledge.

Finally when the light went off, he realized that they were standing out in the open outside the temple, and the Heart of the Jungle was floating midair between them. The trees closed around them as if breathing; the green aura was positively pulsing.

"We did it…" Natasha whispered in spite; such a gentleman was his triumph that the joy of winning actually seemed to surprise her.

Alison just nodded, and a somewhat enigmatic grin crossed his lips. "Now the real work begins."

With the Heart of the Jungle now in their hands they turned back and prepared to correct a world that needs it.