The Mark of the Chosen

The last echoes of the Guardian's collapse faded into silence, leaving only the flickering torches and the distant hum of the temple's energy. Emma stood in the center of the ruined chamber, her breath still uneven, her limbs aching from the battle.

She had won.

But the stones at her waist still pulsed, as if something unfinished remained.

Rahi dusted himself off, slipping his dagger back into its sheath. "I'll admit, I thought you were going to get flattened back there."

Emma shot him a glare. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

He smirked but didn't argue. Instead, he walked toward the crumbled remains of the Guardian, sifting through the dust. "Whatever that thing was guarding, it didn't want you getting near it."

Emma turned her gaze back to the pedestal, the inscriptions still faintly glowing despite the destruction around them. Slowly, cautiously, she stepped forward.

As soon as she touched the stone, a warmth spread through her chest.

The markings on the pedestal shifted, rearranging themselves as if recognizing her presence. The language was ancient, but somehow, she understood.

"The Five were scattered, but their duty remains. Only one with the heart of fire, the sight of truth, and the will of the storm may awaken what was lost."

Emma's pulse quickened. This was meant for her.

Rahi leaned against the nearest intact pillar. "Care to translate for those of us who don't hear voices from glowing rocks?"

Emma ignored him. The warmth in her chest spread to her palm, and before she could second-guess herself, she pressed her hand to the stone.

The entire temple shuddered.

A beam of golden light erupted from the pedestal, surrounding Emma in a swirl of energy. She gasped, feeling something searing into her skin, not painful, but powerful.

Then, just as quickly as it had begun, the light faded.

Emma stumbled back, breathing hard.

Rahi straightened. "What just happened?"

Emma lifted her hand—and froze.

A symbol had appeared on her palm, glowing faintly before fading into her skin. A mark—not just any mark, but the same inscription she had seen in the vision.

Her heart pounded. "I think… I've been chosen."

Rahi stared at her, his usual sarcasm absent. "Chosen for what?"

Emma swallowed hard. "I don't know."

But deep down, she could feel it—something inside her had changed.

The stones had accepted her.

And now, there was no turning back.

___________________________________________________________________

The Hidden Chamber

The temple had settled into stillness, but the air was different now. The energy that had once felt oppressive was now welcoming, as if acknowledging Emma's presence.

She traced the mark on her palm, feeling its warmth fade slightly. The pedestal's inscriptions had shifted once more, revealing something new—a hidden passage behind the far wall, its stone surface sliding open.

Rahi let out a low whistle. "Well, that's convenient."

Emma stepped toward it cautiously. "Do you think it was waiting for someone to pass the test?"

"Looks that way." Rahi gestured forward. "After you, Chosen One."

Emma rolled her eyes but didn't argue. She stepped through the passage, the torches lining the walls igniting on their own as they walked.

The corridor led to a smaller chamber, different from the grand hall. It wasn't as old—no towering pillars or crumbling statues—just a single stone table at the center.

And on it…

A book.

Emma frowned, stepping closer. The cover was made of blackened leather, its edges worn with time. Strange golden symbols shimmered across the surface, matching the mark on her hand.

Rahi crossed his arms. "That looks important."

Emma carefully placed her hands on the book. The moment she did, a rush of knowledge flooded her mind.

Not words. Not memories.

But understanding.

The book didn't just contain history—it held the truth of the stones.

She gasped as fragmented images flashed through her mind.

A battle long ago, where warriors wielding the stones stood against a dark force. A betrayal, where one of the guardians turned against the others. A sacrifice, where the stones were separated to prevent catastrophe.

And one final warning.

"If the stones are reunited… the seal will break."

Emma's heart pounded as she snapped back to reality.

Rahi watched her closely. "You saw something, didn't you?"

Emma's fingers tightened around the book. "It's worse than we thought."

Rahi frowned. "How much worse?"

Emma looked at him, her voice barely above a whisper.

"If the Eclipse King gathers all five stones… he won't just gain power."

"He'll unleash something we might not be able to stop."