The guardian’s sword gleamed under the mountain sun as it charged toward Rian. With swift reflexes, Rian dodged the first strike, but the force of the blow left a deep gash in the stone beneath him.
He realized quickly that this would be no ordinary battle.
The guardian was not just a mere protector—it was imbued with ancient magic.
Rian’s sword clashed with the guardian’s, sending sparks
flying. He parried, blocked, and struck back with all his might, but the
guardian’s movements were flawless, almost mechanical in precision. Every
attack Rian launched was met with an equal, if not stronger, counter.
As the battle raged on, Rian's stamina began to wane. He
needed a new strategy. Remembering the ancient symbols he had seen on the stone
gate, he took a step back, dodging the next swing, and observed his surroundings.
The guardian, too, seemed tied to these symbols, moving in patterns that
mirrored the engravings.
In a moment of clarity, Rian spotted a particular symbol
glowing faintly on the guardian’s chest plate. It resembled an ancient rune of
power, something he had studied in his travels. Without hesitation, Rian lunged
toward the guardian, aiming his strike at the glowing mark.
The guardian staggered, its movements slowing. Rian struck
again, this time with more precision, and the guardian let out a deafening roar
as it collapsed to the ground, its armor clattering against the stone.
Exhausted but victorious, Rian approached the temple gate.
As he placed his hand on the door, the ancient symbols glowed brighter, and the
gate slowly creaked open. Beyond it, a dark, winding corridor beckoned him
forward.
With one last glance at the fallen guardian, Rian stepped
inside, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.