The black gate slowly opened.
A cold wind came out from inside.
The sky became dark.
Rahim, Karim, and Farid looked at the strange gate in silence.
Karim took one step back.
"I don't like this place."
Farid looked at the map again.
"This is the Final Gate. We must go there."
Rahim held the three keys tightly.
"They brought us here. We have to finish this mission."
Suddenly, the three keys started glowing again.
A path of blue light appeared in front of them.
The path pointed toward the black gate.
"The keys are showing us the way," Rahim said.
The Shadow Keeper slowly stood up.
"You must leave now."
Rahim looked at him.
"What about you?"
The Shadow Keeper smiled.
"My duty is to protect this temple."
Karim looked sad.
"Will we meet again?"
The Shadow Keeper nodded.
"If fate allows it."
Rahim, Karim, and Farid thanked him.
Then they followed the glowing path.
After many hours of walking, they reached a deep valley.
Huge mountains stood on every side.
The air was cold and quiet.
No birds were singing.
No animals could be seen.
Everything felt strange.
Farid stopped walking.
"We are close."
Suddenly...
They heard footsteps.
Step...
Step...
Step...
The sound came from behind a large rock.
Karim became nervous.
"Who is there?"
No one answered.
Rahim slowly walked toward the rock.
He held the Shadow Key in front of him.
The key started shining.
Then a young man came out from behind the rock.
He wore a black cloak.
His face looked tired.
But his eyes were calm.
"Please don't attack," the stranger said.
"My name is Zayan."
"I have been waiting for you."
Rahim looked surprised.
"Waiting for us?"
Zayan nodded.
"Yes. The Final Gate cannot be opened without the three keys."
Farid looked at him carefully.
"How do you know that?"
Before Zayan could answer...
A loud roar echoed across the valley.
ROOOOAR!
Everyone looked toward the black gate.
The ground began to shake.
Small stones rolled down the mountains.
Zayan's face turned pale.
"It has awakened..."
Rahim looked at the giant gate.
"What has awakened?"
Zayan slowly pointed at the gate.
"The Guardian of the Final Gate."
The huge gate started opening a little more.
A giant shadow appeared inside.
Its glowing eyes slowly opened.
The real challenge had finally begun.
To be continued...