In the Shadow of the Scroll

The Shardspire’s Secret

“This place is worse than it looks,” Annie muttered, pulling her cloak tighter against the wind. “And it already looks like the last place you’d want to be.”

Emmalyn scowled, gripping her sword. “I don’t know what’s worse—the creepy mountain or the fact that we have no idea what’s waiting for us inside.”

Kyran stepped ahead, his sharp eyes scanning the rocky terrain. “Focus. The scroll piece is here—I can feel it. But this mountain isn’t going to give it up without a fight.”

Annabeth pulled the stone from her pocket, its warmth spreading through her hand. The runes on its surface glowed brighter the closer they got to the mountain, and she could feel the faint hum of energy coursing through it. “It’s guiding us,” she said softly, the pull of the stone unmistakable.

“Guiding us into trouble, you mean,” Emmalyn muttered, but she followed without complaint.

They climbed a narrow path that wound up the side of the Shardspire, the jagged rocks beneath their feet slick with frost. The wind howled around them, carrying whispers that made Annabeth’s skin crawl. The stone’s glow grew stronger, casting eerie shadows against the cliff face.

“Do you hear that?” Annie asked, her voice low.

“Voices,” Annabeth said, her heart pounding. “They’re coming from the mountain.”

Kyran nodded grimly. “It’s the mountain’s way of warning us. Or distracting us.”

As they rounded a sharp bend, the path opened into a wide ledge, and at its center stood a massive stone archway carved with runes. The arch shimmered faintly, as if caught between reality and illusion, and the whispers grew louder as they approached.

“This is it,” Annabeth said, her voice steady despite the unease clawing at her. “The scroll piece is in there.”

Emmalyn stepped closer, her sword at the ready. “So... we just walk through and hope we don’t get turned into ash?”

Annie grinned, though there was no humor in it. “Sounds like a solid plan to me.”

Annabeth raised the stone, its light flaring as it resonated with the runes on the archway. The whispers fell silent, replaced by a deep, resonant hum that made the ground tremble beneath their feet. The archway shimmered, and then the space within it became clear, revealing a dark tunnel that stretched into the heart of the mountain.

“Stay close,” Annabeth said, gripping the stone tightly as she stepped through the archway.

The tunnel was narrow and suffocating, the air thick with the scent of damp stone and ancient magic. The glow of the stone lit their way, casting shifting shadows on the walls. The deeper they went, the stronger the pull of the scroll became, guiding Annabeth forward like an invisible thread.

After what felt like an eternity, the tunnel opened into a massive chamber. The ceiling was impossibly high, lost in darkness, and the floor was made of polished black stone that reflected the faint light of Annabeth’s armor and Emmalyn’s sword. At the center of the chamber stood an altar, its surface carved with intricate runes that glowed faintly.

And there, resting atop the altar, was the next piece of the scroll.

Annabeth’s breath caught in her throat as she approached, the stone in her hand pulsing with energy. The scroll fragment on the altar glowed faintly, its runes matching those on the piece she already carried.

“This is it,” she said, her voice filled with awe.

“Great,” Emmalyn said, her tone wary. “Now grab it and let’s get out of here before something decides to kill us.”

Kyran stepped closer, his dagger drawn. “Wait. Look at the runes on the floor around the altar. This is a trap.”

Annabeth froze, her eyes scanning the intricate carvings that encircled the altar. The runes glowed faintly, but there was a pattern to their light—a pulse, like a heartbeat.

“It’s protected,” Annie said, her voice low. “Whatever’s guarding it won’t let us take it without a fight.”

As if in response, the air in the chamber grew colder, and the shadows along the walls began to move. The runes on the floor flared to life, and the chamber trembled as a low growl echoed from the darkness.

Annabeth’s heart raced as a massive figure emerged from the shadows—a towering construct of stone and shadow, its eyes glowing with a cold, pale light. The guardian stood between them and the altar, its form radiating a malevolent energy.

“Of course,” Emmalyn muttered, raising her sword. “It’s never easy.”

The guardian roared, its voice shaking the chamber, and charged.

“Spread out!” Kyran shouted, darting to the side.

Annabeth raised the stone, its light flaring as she focused its energy. A beam of light shot toward the guardian, striking its chest and forcing it back a step. But the creature barely seemed to notice, swiping a massive arm toward her.

She dove out of the way, the ground shattering where she had stood moments before. Emmalyn rushed forward, her sword glowing brightly as she struck at the guardian’s leg. The blade connected, sending cracks spidering across the stone, but the guardian retaliated with a backhanded swing that sent her tumbling across the chamber.

“Emmalyn!” Annabeth cried, running to her sister’s side.

“I’m fine,” Emmalyn groaned, staggering to her feet. “But this thing is a lot tougher than it looks.”

Annie hurled a small vial at the guardian, and it exploded in a burst of fire and light. The construct stumbled, but it quickly regained its footing, its glowing eyes locking onto her.

“This isn’t working!” Kyran shouted, dodging another massive swipe. “We need to hit it where it’s weakest!”

Annabeth’s eyes darted to the altar, and she realized the guardian wasn’t just protecting the scroll—it was connected to it. The runes on the floor pulsed in time with the guardian’s movements, its energy flowing directly from the altar.

“The altar!” Annabeth yelled. “It’s drawing power from the altar!”

“Then we take it out!” Emmalyn shouted, charging toward the center of the chamber.

Annabeth raised the stone, its light surging as she directed its energy toward the altar. The runes on the floor flared brightly, and the guardian let out a deafening roar, its movements growing frantic.

“Keep it busy!” Annabeth called, focusing the stone’s energy on the altar.

Emmalyn and Kyran moved in tandem, their attacks forcing the guardian back, while Annie flung another vial that burst into dazzling sparks.

Annabeth’s armor glowed brightly as the stone’s energy intensified. The altar trembled, cracks spreading across its surface, and with a final surge of power, the runes shattered.

The guardian froze, its glowing eyes flickering, and then its massive form crumbled into dust.

Silence fell over the chamber as the energy dissipated, leaving only the faint glow of the scroll fragment on the altar.

Annabeth approached cautiously, her heart pounding as she reached for the scroll piece. The moment her fingers touched it, a surge of warmth flooded through her, and the fragment joined seamlessly with the one she already carried.

“We did it,” she said softly, turning to the others.

Emmalyn grinned, though her exhaustion was clear. “One step closer.”

But as the chamber trembled again, Annabeth’s relief was short-lived. Somewhere deep within the mountain, an ominous laugh echoed—a sound that promised the battle was far from over.