Forgotten Shrine 2

Kade sat on the edge of his bed, rolling the old woman's token between his fingers. It was small, circular, and felt much heavier than it should, as if it carried a weight beyond its physical form. As he turned it over, a faint pulse of energy radiated from its core, sending a shiver up his spine. Something about it felt. alive.

Curiosity gnawed at him. He had planned to ignore it, but now, that was impossible. He needed answers.

He went to the town's archive, an old dusty building, which was administered by Elder Barrow, a scholar who spent his entire life studying their long-overshadowed artifacts. The token having been produced, the old man's eyes flew wide with shock. "This. this is a mark of the Forgotten Shrine," he murmured in a barely audible voice. "Where did you get this?"

Kade hesitated, "What is it?" she replied, "An old woman gave it to me after I helped her."

Elder Barrow took a slow breath, counting out his words. "The Forgotten Shrine is older than this academy, older than a few of the noble bloodlines. It was a sanctuary that once acted as a home to knowledge, a haven where seekers of power beyond mortal understanding sought refuge. But it has been abandoned for centuries, lost to time. Or so we thought."

A thrill of intrigue ran through Kade. "So where is it?"

"That. I do not know," the elder admitted. "Many have searched, and few have returned. But if this token found its way to you, it means something. Perhaps the shrine has chosen you."

Kade didn't believe in destiny. But this token, this energy—it wasn't coincidence. He had to find the shrine.

That evening, he prepared to leave. And just as he was about to slip away, Mira confronted him. "You are leaving," she said, her arms crossing.

Kade sighed. "I have to check something out. It's probably nothing."

"Liar," she said, narrowing her eyes. "I'm coming with you."

He should have argued. He didn't, not really. She was stubborn. And perhaps, a part of him didn't want to be alone.

It brought them to the edge of the town, the old forest only a few paces away; a place fewer ventured into for fear of something that lurked in the woods. The atmosphere became heavy, and the world was silent; as if the earth itself dared not breathe.

Kade's senses began to prickle—the familiar presence was back.

The hooded figure.

This time, they did not run; they walked towards him, voice a whisper against the wind, "Turn back. What awaits you will make you different."

Kade clenched his fists. "You've been following me. Who are you?"

The figure hesitated before answering, "A warning. Nothing more."

Kade didn't waver. "I'm going. No matter what."

The cloaked figure exhaled, then stepped aside, vanishing into the darkness. A warning, but no attempt to stop him.

Mira looked at him. "That wasn't creepy at all."

They pressed on, until the trees thinned and they arrived at an ancient stone archway, half-buried in overgrown vines. Beyond it, an abandoned temple stood, shrouded in mist. The moment Kade stepped inside, shadows stirred around him, coiling like living things.

Something—or someone—was waiting.