Bright light surrounded Rahim, Karim, and Farid as the transport gate carried them away from the Storm Tower.
For a few moments, everything around them disappeared.
There was only light and wind.
Then suddenly—
BOOM!
All three of them landed hard on cold stone ground.
Karim groaned painfully.
"I really hate magical traveling."
Rahim slowly stood up.
His head still felt dizzy.
Farid looked around carefully.
"We arrived."
The air here felt completely different.
Cold fog covered everything.
Tall dark trees surrounded the area.
The sky above looked gray and lifeless.
Karim looked nervous.
"This place feels creepy."
Rahim nodded.
"Yes. Much darker than the other places."
In front of them stood a giant black temple.
Its walls were covered with strange glowing symbols.
Unlike the blue and golden lights of the previous guardian sites—
These symbols glowed dark purple.
Farid looked serious.
"The Temple of Shadows."
Cold wind moved through the forest around them.
Everything was silent.
Too silent.
Karim whispered,
"I don't like this silence."
Rahim held the crystal tightly.
Even the crystal's blue light seemed weaker here.
Farid noticed it immediately.
"The darkness in this place is affecting the crystal."
Karim nervously asked,
"Is that bad?"
Farid replied quietly,
"Yes."
Suddenly—
A soft whisper echoed through the forest.
Rahim quickly looked around.
"Did you hear that?"
The whisper came again.
But this time, it sounded closer.
Karim stepped beside Rahim.
"Something is watching us."
Farid slowly pulled out a small ancient knife from his belt.
"Stay alert."
The whispers grew louder.
Strange shadow shapes moved between the trees.
Rahim raised the crystal slightly.
Blue light spread through the fog.
For a second, several dark figures became visible.
Then they disappeared again.
Karim whispered fearfully,
"What are those things?"
Farid answered quietly,
"Shadow spirits."
Rahim looked surprised.
"More creatures?"
Farid nodded.
"The Temple of Shadows is protected differently."
Suddenly—
One of the shadow figures rushed toward them from the fog.
Karim shouted,
"Behind you!"
Rahim quickly turned and raised the crystal.
Blue light exploded outward.
The shadow spirit screamed and vanished instantly.
The forest became silent again.
Karim breathed heavily.
"Okay… this place is officially the worst one."
Farid pointed toward the temple entrance.
"We should move quickly."
The giant black doors of the temple stood slightly open.
Purple light came from inside.
Rahim slowly walked forward.
As soon as he reached the entrance, the crystal reacted strongly.
The temple symbols started glowing brighter.
Karim looked worried.
"I don't think the temple is happy to see us."
Farid said seriously,
"It knows the keys are here."
The three of them entered the temple carefully.
Inside, the air felt freezing cold.
Large stone pillars stood in endless rows.
Purple flames burned softly along the walls.
Rahim looked around carefully.
"This place feels ancient."
Farid nodded.
"It may be the oldest guardian site of all."
Suddenly—
The temple doors slammed shut behind them.
BOOOOM!
Karim jumped.
"Seriously?! Why do all ancient places do that?!"
Before anyone answered, a deep voice echoed through the temple.
"Three keys…"
The voice sounded cold and unnatural.
Rahim looked around.
"Who's there?"
The purple flames suddenly grew larger.
Dark smoke filled the room.
Then—
A tall shadow figure slowly appeared near the far end of the temple.
Its body looked human, but completely made of darkness.
Its eyes glowed deep purple.
Karim whispered,
"That does not look friendly."
Farid's expression became tense.
"The Shadow Keeper."
The figure slowly stepped forward.
"You carry the ancient powers," it said coldly.
Rahim held the crystal tighter.
"We are the guardians."
The Shadow Keeper stared at him silently.
"Then your hearts will be tested."
Suddenly, the temple floor started shaking.
The stone ground split apart slowly.
A massive dark pit opened in the center of the room.
Karim stepped back quickly.
"What now?!"
From deep below the pit, strange sounds echoed upward.
The Shadow Keeper raised one shadowy hand.
"To claim the final key… survive the Temple of Shadows."
Purple flames exploded across the chamber walls.
Dark creatures slowly began climbing out from the pit below.
Their glowing purple eyes stared directly at the three boys.
Farid whispered seriously,
"The final trial has begun."