Tides of the Moon

The ruins grew more labyrinthine as Divine and Caelan pressed on, the narrow streets twisting into jagged pathways. The weight of the city's history pressed down on them, each corner revealing remnants of a civilization frozen in its final moments—broken pottery, collapsed walls, and scorch marks that hinted at a violent end.

"Do you feel that?" Divine asked, pausing to glance around.

Caelan's grip on his blade tightened. "Feel what?"

"The air… it's heavy, like it's holding its breath."

Before Caelan could respond, the ground beneath them trembled, and a faint glow emerged from a cracked stone path ahead. Divine's pendant pulsed in rhythm with the light, urging her forward.

"This way," she said, her voice steady despite the unease gnawing at her.

They followed the glow to an open plaza dominated by a massive altar. The structure was carved from a dark, shimmering stone that seemed to drink in the moonlight. Around its base, the remnants of murals hinted at a story—figures cloaked in light and shadow, a great conflict, and the collapse of a kingdom.

Divine stepped closer, her pendant glowing brighter. "This is it. The heart of the city."

Caelan scanned the plaza, his eyes narrowing. "And the perfect place for an ambush."

As if on cue, the air shifted, and the shadows around them coalesced into forms—figures draped in black, their faces obscured by veils. They moved silently, their weapons glinting in the faint light.

"Leave now," one of them commanded, their voice cold and sharp. "This place is not meant for you."

Divine stood her ground. "Who are you? What do you want?"

The figure tilted their head, as though studying her. "We are the Wardens of the Abyss, protectors of what remains. You are an outsider, unworthy of the secrets buried here."

"I'm not an outsider," Divine said, her voice firm. "This city was mine. I ruled it once, and I need to know why it fell."

The Warden hesitated, but another stepped forward, their weapon raised. "Your past brought ruin. We won't let you repeat your mistakes."

Caelan stepped in front of Divine, his blade gleaming. "If you want her, you'll have to go through me."

The Wardens surged forward, their movements fluid and unnaturally fast. Caelan met them head-on, his sword clashing against their curved blades. Divine stepped back, clutching her pendant, its glow growing almost blinding.

"The Keeper must awaken," the voice whispered in her mind again.

The pendant's light flared, and Divine felt her connection to the city deepen. She raised her hand, and the light spread out in waves, forcing the Wardens to retreat.

"Enough!" she commanded, her voice echoing with an authority she didn't fully understand.

The Wardens froze, their weapons lowering. The leader stepped forward, their veil slipping to reveal piercing silver eyes.

"You are awakening," the leader said, their tone softer now. "But awakening alone is not enough. If you wish to claim the truth, you must face the trials of the Forgotten Altar."

Divine glanced at Caelan, who was breathing heavily but unharmed. "What trials?"

The Warden gestured to the altar. "Prove your worth. Only then will the city reveal its secrets."

Divine's heart pounded as she approached the altar. The runes on its surface began to glow, and the ground beneath her feet trembled. She placed her hands on the cold stone, and a rush of memories flooded her mind—a kingdom flourishing under her guidance, a forbidden love that led to betrayal, and the moment the city fell to darkness.

Her knees buckled, and Caelan caught her before she collapsed. "Divine!"

"I'm fine," she whispered, though tears streamed down her face. "I remember… pieces of it. But it's still incomplete."

The Warden nodded solemnly. "You have begun to remember, but the trials are far from over. The truth is buried deeper than you know."

Divine straightened, her resolve hardening. "Then I'll keep going. I'll face whatever I have to."

The leader of the Wardens stepped aside, gesturing to a path that descended into the earth. "The next trial awaits below. Be warned: the further you go, the more of yourself you must sacrifice."

Caelan tightened his grip on her arm. "You're not doing this alone."

Divine looked at him, her heart swelling with gratitude. "I know. Let's face it together."

With the Wardens watching silently, Divine and Caelan descended into the darkness, unaware of the challenges—and revelations—that awaited them in the depths of the Silent City.