Chapter 7: The Second Node

The next morning, I awoke to the sound of rain tapping against the temple's tiled roof. The air was cool and damp, carrying the earthy scent of wet soil. Lin Mo was already waiting for me in the courtyard, his expression serious but calm. He handed me a small satchel filled with supplies—dried rations, a water flask, and a few talismans.

"The second node is deeper in the forest," he said, his voice low. "It's more dangerous than the first. Are you ready?"

I nodded, slinging the satchel over my shoulder. The Serpent's Eye Pendant around my neck felt warm, as if it were attuned to the energy of the day. Elder Wu's words from the previous night echoed in my mind: *The journey will be dangerous, and the entity will not rest until it has claimed you.*

We set off from the temple, following a narrow trail that wound through dense forest. The rain had turned the path into a muddy stream, and the trees seemed to close in around us, their branches heavy with water. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves.

As we walked, Lin Mo explained more about the second node. "This node is tied to the element of water," he said. "It's said to be guarded by a spirit that can manipulate the flow of energy. We must be cautious."

I glanced at the map Elder Wu had given me. The second node was marked with a symbol that resembled a coiled serpent surrounded by waves. "What exactly are we looking for at this node?" I asked.

Lin Mo hesitated. "Nodes are points where the ley lines converge. They are often guarded by... things. Spirits, anomalies, or even remnants of ancient rituals. We must be cautious."

The forest grew darker as we ventured deeper, the canopy above blocking out most of the sunlight. The air grew colder, and I could feel the weight of the spiritual energy around us. The Serpent's Eye Pendant pulsed faintly, as if warning me of something ahead.

Suddenly, Lin Mo stopped and held up a hand. "We're close," he whispered. "Do you feel it?"

I nodded. The energy here was palpable, like a low hum in the air. It was both exhilarating and unnerving.

We emerged into a small clearing, and I immediately understood why this place was a node. In the center of the clearing stood a massive stone altar, covered in moss and ancient carvings. The air around it shimmered faintly, as if the very fabric of reality was bending.

But what caught my attention was the figure standing beside the altar. It was a woman, dressed in tattered robes that seemed to blend into the shadows. Her hair was long and unkempt, and her eyes glowed with an unnatural light.

Lin Mo tensed beside me. "A spirit guardian," he murmured. "We must be careful. She will not let us pass easily."

The woman turned to face us, her gaze locking onto mine. I felt a chill run down my spine as she spoke, her voice echoing as if from a great distance.

"Who dares disturb the sanctity of this place?" she demanded.

I stepped forward, trying to keep my voice steady. "We mean no harm. We seek only to understand the imbalance in the ley lines."

The spirit guardian's eyes narrowed. "The imbalance is not for mortals to mend. Leave now, or face the consequences."

Lin Mo placed a hand on my shoulder. "We should go. She is bound to this place, and her power here is immense."

But I hesitated. The system had brought me here for a reason, and I couldn't turn back now. I reached into the satchel and pulled out one of the talismans Lin Mo had given me. It was a simple piece of paper, but I could feel the energy pulsing within it.

"I don't want to fight," I said, holding up the talisman. "But I can't leave without answers."

The spirit guardian's expression shifted, her glowing eyes flickering with something like curiosity. "You carry the mark of the system," she said slowly. "Very well. Prove your worth, and I may allow you to pass."

Before I could respond, the ground beneath us trembled. The air grew thick with spiritual energy, and I realized that the node itself was reacting to our presence. The stone altar began to glow, and the carvings on its surface came to life, twisting and shifting like living things.

"Brace yourself!" Lin Mo shouted, drawing a talisman of his own.

The spirit guardian raised her hand, and a wave of energy surged toward us. I barely had time to activate the talisman in my hand, creating a barrier of light that deflected the attack. The force of the impact sent me stumbling backward, but I managed to stay on my feet.

Lin Mo moved quickly, chanting under his breath as he threw his talisman toward the spirit guardian. It exploded into a burst of light, momentarily blinding her.

"Now!" he shouted.

I didn't need to be told twice. I focused my energy, channeling it through the Serpent's Eye Pendant. The pendant grew warm, and I felt a surge of power as I directed it toward the spirit guardian.

The energy struck her, and she let out a piercing shriek. Her form began to waver, the glow in her eyes dimming. But instead of attacking again, she lowered her hand and regarded me with a mixture of surprise and respect.

"You have proven yourself," she said, her voice softer now. "The node is yours to inspect. But remember—the path you walk is fraught with peril. The balance of this world is fragile, and your actions will have consequences."

With that, her form dissolved into mist, leaving us alone in the clearing.

Lin Mo let out a breath he had been holding. "That was... impressive. You handled yourself well."

I nodded, though my heart was still racing. "What now?"

He gestured toward the altar. "Now, we see what the node has to show us."

As we approached the altar, I could feel the energy radiating from it. The carvings on its surface seemed to tell a story—one of creation and destruction, of life and death. But there was something else, something hidden beneath the surface.

I reached out and placed my hand on the altar. The moment I did, a vision flashed before my eyes—a vast, dark void, filled with swirling energy. In the center of the void was a figure, cloaked in shadow, its eyes burning with an ancient, malevolent light.

Then, just as quickly as it had come, the vision was gone.

Lin Mo looked at me, concern etched on his face. "What did you see?"

I shook my head, trying to make sense of it. "I'm not sure. But I think... I think we're dealing with something much bigger than we realized."