The interior of the temple was dark and foreboding, the air heavy with the weight of centuries. The walls were covered in intricate carvings, depicting scenes of magic and power. Elliot couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe as they moved deeper into the temple.

  “This place is amazing,” he whispered.

  “And dangerous,” Kael added. “Watch your step. There could be traps.”

  No sooner had he spoken than Elliot’s foot brushed against a loose stone, triggering a hidden mechanism. Arrows shot out from the walls, narrowly missing the group as they dove for cover.

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  “Nice reflexes,” Lila said, brushing dust off her robes. “But maybe try not to set off any more traps, yeah?”

  Elliot groaned. “Noted.”

  As they continued, they encountered more traps—pressure plates, magical wards, and even a collapsing floor. Each time, they managed to avoid disaster, but the tension was palpable.

  Finally, they reached the inner sanctum, a large chamber filled with glowing crystals and ancient artifacts. At the center of the room was a pedestal, and on that pedestal was the Aether Core piece—a small, glowing orb pulsating with energy.

  “There it is,” Kael said, his voice filled with awe.

  But as they approached the pedestal, the ground began to shake. The walls of the chamber shifted, and a massive stone golem emerged from the shadows, its eyes glowing with malevolent light.

  “Of course,” Elliot muttered. “There had to be a guardian.”