"In the deepest shadows, light flickers only for a moment. In that brief instant, the truth is revealed. The shadows are not enemies, but teachers. They show us what we fear most, what we are meant to overcome."
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Moria stood frozen, her eyes locked on the figure that had emerged from the shadows. The air seemed to grow heavier with each passing second, the oppressive aura surrounding the cloaked figure suffocating her. It was as though the very temple itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.
The figure's form was tall and imposing, their cloak billowing as if an unseen wind were swirling around them. Their face remained hidden beneath the dark hood, but Moria could feel their eyes on her, piercing and full of malice.
"You are brave, little goddess," the figure spoke again, their voice like a low hiss. "But your courage will not save you."
Moria's grip tightened around the hilt of her sword. "I don't need saving."
The figure tilted their head slightly, as though amused by her defiance. "You misunderstand, Moria. It is not you who will be saved, but those who follow you. You think you can claim the Flame of Water? You think you can change the course of destiny? Foolish."
The figure's words struck a nerve, a deep-seated unease curling in Moria's gut. She had always known there were forces greater than her at work, but hearing them speak with such certainty made her question everything she had believed about herself, about her powers, and the path she was walking.
"You don't know what you're dealing with," Moria replied, her voice steady despite the creeping doubt in her heart. "And I am not afraid of you."
The figure chuckled darkly. "You should be. But fear is not the issue here. The issue is your arrogance. Your inability to understand the forces you seek to control."
Moria's mind raced. She had been taught to control her powers, to wield them with caution and respect. But now, in the face of this mysterious entity, her confidence wavered. Who were they? What did they know of the Flame of Water, of the forces that lay hidden within her?
"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice sharp.
The figure stepped forward, their presence growing more suffocating with every step. "I am the keeper of the temple. The one who guards what you seek. You will not leave this place with the Flame of Water. Not without facing the consequences of your actions."
A sudden, sharp pain lanced through Moria's chest, and she gasped, stumbling back. She could feel the power of the figure swirling around her, pressing down on her like a weight, cutting through her defenses. It was unlike anything she had experienced before. The air itself seemed to burn as the figure's power collided with hers.
"You... think you can challenge me?" she hissed through clenched teeth, her body shaking with the effort to resist. "I won't let you stop me."
The figure's laugh was soft, almost pitying. "You misunderstand, goddess. I am not here to stop you. I am here to show you the truth."
In an instant, the figure moved. They reached out with a hand that shimmered with dark energy, their fingers brushing against Moria's chest. The world around her blurred, and she felt herself being pulled into a vortex of shadows.
Images flashed before her eyes—images of people, places, and events that she didn't recognize. But she could feel them, the weight of the memories, the emotions behind them. The world was changing, she could sense it, and something was stirring within her—something ancient and powerful.
"You are not the only one with power, Moria," the figure whispered, their voice laced with malice. "You are not the only one who seeks to shape the future. There are others, others who will stop at nothing to claim what you seek."
The shadows around her deepened, and Moria struggled to breathe. It felt as if the very fabric of reality was bending, shifting around her. She could feel the pull of the past, the weight of history pressing down on her, and yet... she resisted. She refused to succumb to it.
With a cry of defiance, Moria pushed against the shadowy force, breaking free from the figure's grip. She staggered back, her heart pounding in her chest as she gathered her strength.
"You won't win," she said, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her. "I will claim the Flame of Water, and I will rewrite the future."
The figure's gaze seemed to burn through her, their eyes glowing faintly beneath the hood. "We shall see, goddess. But remember this—some flames are too dangerous to control. Even for you."
With that, the figure disappeared into the shadows, their presence vanishing as quickly as it had come. The temple fell silent, the air still and heavy, but now with the taste of something dark lingering in it.
Moria exhaled slowly, trying to steady her breathing. The shadows were gone, but the unease remained, a lingering presence at the back of her mind. She had faced a challenge, but this was only the beginning. Whoever that figure was, they were not the only force she would have to contend with.
Her thoughts turned to the Flame of Water, the artifact that now seemed even more important than before. She had to get to it, but something told her that the real battle was only just beginning.
"Are you alright?" Jiang's voice broke through her thoughts. He had moved closer, his eyes filled with concern.
Moria nodded, brushing off the lingering doubt that gnawed at her. "I'm fine. But we need to move quickly."
Tia stepped forward, her fox-like form darting between the trees. "I think it's best we don't stay here longer than necessary. The temple's defenses are still active. We may not be as lucky the next time."
Moria glanced at the altar again, the Flame of Water still glowing faintly in the distance. "We'll take the risk. We don't have a choice."
They made their way toward the altar, the oppressive silence of the temple now pressing down on them even harder. But Moria was resolute. She would claim the Flame of Water, no matter what it took. And if the shadows tried to stop her, she would face them head-on.
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End of Chapter 35