They walked through the dense woods, the path ahead barely visible under the moon's weak light. The air felt heavier here, as if the trees themselves were watching them. The sound of their footsteps was muffled, swallowed by the thick undergrowth. Minsu's heart hammered in her chest, not just from fear, but from the weight of her responsibility. Her thoughts swirled—about her aunt, the key, and the man who looked like her.
Hyowon walked closely beside her, his presence a constant reassurance. She could feel the tension in his posture, the readiness in his every move. Despite the terror they had just faced, he was unwavering, his focus on their task ahead.
The man who resembled her led them, moving with purpose, his steps silent on the forest floor. His face remained unreadable, but there was something almost familiar about the way he carried himself, as though he had walked this path countless times before.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they arrived at the entrance of an overgrown ruin. Broken stone walls peeked out from the dense foliage, covered in thick vines and moss. The air felt colder here, as if the very ground beneath their feet held memories of long-lost secrets.
"This is it," the man said, stopping in front of the crumbling entrance. His voice was almost reverent.
Minsu felt a shiver run down her spine. This place seemed alive with an energy she couldn't quite understand. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, as if warning her of something she couldn't see.
"Where is it?" Minsu asked, her voice steady but filled with urgency.
The man looked at her with a mix of sadness and determination. "The key is not something you can simply take. It's hidden in the heart of this place, and only you can find it."
Hyowon stepped forward, his gaze sharp and focused. "How do we get to it?"
The man's eyes flickered to the ruins, his expression growing darker. "You must pass through the trial. It will test your resolve, your strength, and your heart. Only then will you be able to claim the key."
Minsu felt a heavy weight settle in her stomach. A trial. It sounded like a test she wasn't sure she was ready for. But there was no turning back now.
"Then let's face it," she said, her voice firm. "We've come this far. I won't stop now."
With a slow nod, the man stepped aside, allowing them to enter the ruins. As they passed through the stone archway, the atmosphere seemed to change. The air grew colder, and the silence deepened, pressing against them like an unseen force.
The path ahead was narrow, winding deeper into the heart of the ruin. The walls were lined with faded carvings—ancient symbols that Minsu didn't recognize. As they walked, a low hum began to fill the air, like the pulse of something ancient and alive.
Suddenly, the ground beneath their feet trembled, and the stone walls around them shifted. Minsu's heart skipped a beat as the path before them seemed to rearrange itself, the walls closing in and opening, as though the very structure of the ruin was alive, testing their resolve.
"Stay close," Hyowon warned, his hand finding hers in the darkness. His touch was a grounding force, reminding her that she wasn't alone.
They pressed on, the trial intensifying with each step. The humming grew louder, reverberating through their bodies, urging them forward.
Then, as they rounded a corner, the path opened into a vast chamber. In the center stood a pedestal, bathed in soft light that seemed to come from nowhere. Upon the pedestal lay the forsaken key, glowing with an eerie, otherworldly light.
But as Minsu stepped forward, the ground trembled again, and the shadows in the room shifted, taking on monstrous forms. Her breath caught in her throat as a figure emerged from the darkness—a towering, shadowy figure, its eyes glowing with malevolent energy.
"You dare seek the key?" the creature's voice boomed, a deep growl that reverberated in the very air.
Minsu stood frozen for a moment, but Hyowon's voice snapped her out of it. "We have no choice. We'll fight."
The creature advanced, its massive form blocking the path to the key. Minsu knew this was the trial—the test she had to pass.
With a determined breath, she stepped forward, ready to face whatever came next. The darkness and fear were no longer enough to hold her back. This was her destiny, and she would see it through.
It was time to claim the key.