The Echoes of Victory
The journey back to the temple was mercifully uneventful, though the weight of exhaustion hung heavy on the group. The Frostbound Peaks were silent now, as if acknowledging their triumph. Each step through the snow felt lighter than before, their victory fueling a sense of quiet pride.
When they finally saw the glow of the Moonlit Temple in the distance, a collective sigh of relief escaped them. The warmth of the sacred halls called to their frozen bodies, and the promise of rest beckoned louder than any words could.
---
As they entered the temple, Kaede was waiting for them. Her serene expression gave way to relief when she saw their weary faces.
"You succeeded," she said, her voice filled with quiet pride. "I felt the storm subside. The trial accepted you."
Haruto stepped forward, pulling the pendant from his pouch. Its intricate design shimmered faintly in the temple's light. "This is what we found. Is it the artifact we need?"
Kaede took the pendant, her fingers brushing over the runes etched into its surface. "Yes, this is it—the Frost Pendant. It's imbued with the energy of endurance, a vital component for what lies ahead." She paused, her gaze moving over the group. "But you all look like you've been to the brink and back. Rest. You've earned it."
They didn't need to be told twice. The group quickly dispersed to their respective chambers within the temple, each seeking comfort in sleep.
---
Haruto's Dream
Haruto found himself standing on the summit of the Frostbound Peaks once more, but this time, the storm was gone. The sky above was clear, the moon casting a silver glow over the landscape. In the distance, a figure emerged—a man cloaked in shadow, his face obscured.
"You've taken your first step," the figure said, his voice deep and resonant. "But the path ahead will break you if you are not prepared."
Haruto tried to respond, but his voice wouldn't come. The figure raised a hand, and the scene around them changed. The Frostbound Peaks melted away, replaced by a desolate battlefield. Corpses littered the ground, and the air was thick with the stench of blood.
"You will face this," the figure continued. "And more. Are you ready to pay the price of victory?"
Before Haruto could process the question, he awoke with a start, his heart pounding. The room was quiet, the only sound his ragged breathing. He clenched his fists, his mind racing.
What did that vision mean? And who was that man?
---
A Sudden Intrusion
The peaceful atmosphere of the temple was shattered the following morning when one of the temple guards burst into the main hall, his face pale.
"Kaede! There's trouble outside!"
The group, still groggy from their rest, quickly gathered in the main hall. Kaede's usually calm demeanor was strained as she questioned the guard.
"What kind of trouble?"
"Travelers," the guard stammered. "They've collapsed near the temple gates. They're injured—one of them is unconscious. And..." He hesitated. "They're carrying strange weapons."
Haruto exchanged a glance with Rei and Aiko before stepping forward. "Let's go."
---
Outside the temple gates, they found three figures lying in the snow. Two were conscious, barely, while the third lay unmoving. Their clothing was tattered, and their faces were gaunt with hunger and exhaustion. The weapons the guard mentioned were strange indeed—blades made of a dark, iridescent metal that seemed to pulse faintly, almost alive.
Rei knelt beside the unconscious figure, checking for signs of life. "He's alive, but barely. We need to get them inside."
Kaede nodded, her expression grave. "Bring them in. But keep their weapons separate—we don't know what we're dealing with yet."
---
The Survivors Speak
Once inside, the travelers were given food, water, and healing salves. The two conscious survivors, a man and a woman, sat huddled together near the temple's hearth.
"Thank you," the man said, his voice hoarse. "We... we didn't think we'd make it."
"Who are you?" Haruto asked, his tone measured. "And why were you in the Frostbound Peaks?"
The woman hesitated, her eyes flicking to Kaede before settling on Haruto. "We're from a village to the north," she said. "Or... we were."
The man picked up the story, his voice trembling. "The Moon Cursed attacked. They... they destroyed everything. We barely escaped with our lives. We heard about this temple, about the warriors who fight the Moon Cursed. We came looking for help."
Kaede frowned, her gaze turning distant. "The Moon Cursed are growing bolder. Entire villages..." She shook her head. "This is troubling news."
Haruto pressed further. "And the weapons? Where did you get them?"
The man and woman exchanged a glance, fear flashing in their eyes.
"We... we didn't make them," the man admitted. "They were given to us by a stranger. He appeared after the attack, cloaked in shadow. He said these weapons would help us fight back, but..."
"But they didn't," the woman finished, her voice breaking. "The Moon Cursed just kept coming. And the weapons... they feel wrong. Like they're alive."
---
The Warning
Kaede stood, her expression grave. "These weapons are dangerous. I can feel it just being near them. They're cursed, or worse."
"We can't just ignore this," Haruto said. "If someone is handing out weapons like these, they could be putting more lives at risk."
Kaede nodded. "Agreed. But you're not ready to face this threat yet. The Frost Pendant is only one part of the preparation you'll need."
"What's next?" Aiko asked, her voice tinged with weariness.
Kaede hesitated before replying. "The Trial of Shadows. It will test your ability to resist corruption. And if these weapons are any indication, that will be a vital skill in the battles to come."
The group exchanged uneasy glances. The Frostbound Peaks had pushed them to their limits, and the thought of facing another trial so soon was daunting. But they knew there was no other choice.
Haruto stepped forward, his voice steady. "We'll do whatever it takes."
Kaede looked at him, her expression unreadable. "Then prepare yourselves. The Trial of Shadows will be unlike anything you've faced before."
As the group began to ready themselves for their next challenge, a sense of foreboding hung in the air. The road ahead was growing darker, and the shadows were closing in.