Charter 29: Lian

Calcium and Lian moved along the snowy slopes, their footsteps seemed to dissolve into the dull sound of the blizzard, which once again covered the world around them.

The wind tore at their clothes, but they continued walking, as if the magic pulling them along would not allow them to turn back. Every step they took became a part of something bigger, and their breathing became deeper and more intense.

From time to time, Calcium felt her tattoo on her palm begin to pulse in time with her heart, as if to show that she was on the right track.

But at the same time, the same thought kept replaying in her head more and more often – what kind of secret was hidden in this temple? What exactly is she supposed to figure out? And why was Lian connected to this place?

She stole a glance at him, noticing how his gaze had become cold, absorbed in his own thoughts. Lian was not what he seemed at first glance. Beneath his calm exterior, there was a power unknown to her, and the more time she spent with him, the more she realized that his fate and her own were closely intertwined.

Just like that strange moment when they met, when she realized she had to help him. But the more she tried to figure it out, the more her answers got lost in the shadow of uncertainty.

– What do you know about the temple, Lian? –She couldn't stand it, breaking the silence.

There was a slight wariness in her voice, as if she was trying to pull him out of his thoughts, but at the same time she was afraid of what she would hear.

Lian tilted his head slightly, as if he was debating whether to answer her question. His gaze was hidden under a hood, and only the reflections of the snow illuminated his face, giving his features a mysterious expression.

– You understand that the temple is not just a place for us, Calcium. –His voice was low, as if he was deciding how to say more without revealing too much: –The knowledge he holds is ancient, it can change destinies. This temple was built to capture the most important truths that should not fall into the wrong hands. However, for me, a temple is not just a building. It's part of my story. This is a place that I have to find and understand.

His words sounded heavy, as if they were soaked in time and sorrow. Calcium felt her heart tighten at this revelation. Not just a place. It was something personal for him. And now she was part of that journey, part of his destiny.

– You say that the temple is connected with your history. But... why didn't you tell me sooner?– She asked, trying to hide the slight hurt in her voice, but still realizing that he didn't have to reveal everything to her. All this time, her intuition had been telling her that her connection with Lian wasn't accidental.

Lian stopped and turned to her. He looked straight into her eyes, and his gaze reflected a deep inner conflict that she had seen but could never understand.

– I couldn't. It was too important. I thought you wouldn't want to know. And now you're already in it. You can't get out. We're both too close to the solution. The temple is waiting for us. – His words were as hard as stone, but there was a certain slight pain in them.

But Calcium felt that it was not easy for him to talk about it. This temple was not just his goal, but an important and painful element of his past. And now that her fate was linked to him, she began to realize that this path would reveal not only the secrets of Lian, but also her own.

Suddenly, the contours of the ancient walls shimmered in front of them. The temple appeared out of the mist like a giant shadow towering among the snow, with dark entrances and strange runes etched into its stones. It was a place that felt like something alive, as if hiding an ancient power.

Calcium felt her body react to this place. Her tattoo lit up again, even brighter now, and her heart accelerated its rhythm. She intuitively knew that this was not just a temple. It is a place that reveals not only the past, but also the future.

–We're here.– She whispered, her throat constricted, feeling the magic around them become dense and almost tangible.

Lian stepped forward and, without looking back, headed towards the entrance, his figure disappearing into the snowy gloom.

– You don't have to be afraid, Calcium. You're already on a path that you can't part with. Come with me.

Calcium took one step at a time, feeling the tension build with each approach to the temple. Now their path was merging into a single whole – they were going not only to the solution, but also to a turning point in their lives.

The temple in front of them stood like a giant shadow, absorbing the light that made its way through the snowstorm.

The majestic stone walls were covered with faded runes and ancient symbols, which exuded such a weight of time that it seemed as if the very air around them was thickening.

Every movement was like a violation of some ancient silence, every step was an echo of long centuries. Calcium couldn't understand why this place seemed so familiar. She could feel her tattoo on her palm throbbing more and more, as if reacting to the magic of this place.

–You don't have to be afraid, Lian. – Calcium finally broke through her thoughts and said those words out loud. She didn't know where they came from, but she felt it was true.

Lian stopped for a moment without turning around, but her words seemed to reach him. He held back a deep sigh before answering, his voice softer than usual.

– That's not what I'm afraid of, Calcium. I'm afraid of what we'll find there. There is more than just power hidden in this temple. There are things that I would never want to reveal, it's very difficult.…

He paused, and Calcium felt the weight of the words hang in the air. She didn't ask any additional questions, realizing that both of them were hiding too much from each other for their conversation to be simple.

But this atmosphere was building up like an invisible wall, and Calcium knew that if they entered the temple, they would not be able to go back.

Meanwhile, the temple's door, tall and decorated with strange symbols, began to slowly open. It wasn't a physical movement, but rather a feeling as if the magic itself had begun to recede, allowing them to enter.

The space in front of them changed, and Calcium felt an invisible force pressing down on her. She took a step forward, and her palm, where her tattoo was pulsing, felt this charge of magic.

It seemed like her every step was weighed in the past, and she was part of something more ancient and important than she could have imagined.

//To be continued, please like and save.