Dawn began to tint the desert sky with hues of orange and pink. Richard walked behind the masked figure, his feet sinking into the sand with each step. The wind had died down, but the chill of the night still clung to the air.
"Where exactly are we going?" Richard asked, breaking the silence that had reigned since they left the makeshift camp.
The figure didn't turn, but his voice echoed calmly.
"To a place where you can learn. If you want to survive, you'll need more than luck and that system you mentioned last night."
Richard stopped dead in his tracks.
"What? What system?"
The figure turned slowly, its mask reflecting the first rays of the sun.
"You mentioned it in your sleep. You said something about a system that gave you abilities. What does that mean?"
Richard felt a knot in his stomach. He had been careless.
"It's... complicated. I'm not sure how to explain it."
The figure watched him silently for a few seconds before turning again and continuing to walk.
"It doesn't matter. What matters is that you learn to use what you have."
Richard couldn't help but notice that the figure didn't seem to fully understand what he had said. Was it possible that the system was something unique to it? But if that was the case, how could the figure use magic?
---
The journey continued in silence until they reached a rock formation that rose like an island in the middle of the sea of sand. The figure stopped in front of a hidden entrance between the rocks, barely visible to the naked eye.
"This is where we'll start," she said, pushing a rock that revealed a narrow passage.
Richard followed her, feeling the temperature drop as they advanced. The passage led them to a wide cavern, lit by crystals that glowed with a blue light.
"What is this place?" Richard asked, marveling at the beauty of the place.
"A refuge. One of the few that remain. Here, the magic of the other side still flows strongly."
Richard frowned.
"The other side?"
The figure turned toward him, and although her face was still hidden, her tone was serious.
"The world you saw in your visions. The realm the temples connect to."
Richard felt a chill.
"Do you mean temples are… doors?"
"Exactly. Doors between this world and the next. But they aren't simple portals. Each temple is protected by magical barriers and trials that only the worthy can overcome."
Richard processed the information as the figure approached one of the cavern walls. With a wave of his hand, he traced a symbol in the air, and the wall began to glow, revealing a map carved into the rock.
"This is the map of the temples we know of," the figure said, pointing to several spots marked with symbols. "But not all of them are active. Some have been sealed, and others have disappeared over time."
Richard moved closer, studying the map.
"And what about the temple that disappeared? The one I found?"
The figure nodded.
"That temple was special. It was one of the main doors, and its disappearance means something has changed. Something big."
Richard swallowed, feeling the weight of his words. "And what does that have to do with me?"
The figure looked directly at him.
"Because you carry the key."
Richard frowned, confused.
"The key?"
The figure pointed to the medallion hanging around her neck.
"That medallion. It's the key that connects the temples to the other side. It belonged to my race, but was lost centuries ago."
Richard took a step back, surprised.
"Your race? What are you?"
The figure slowly removed her mask, revealing a female face with sharp features and eyes that glowed silver. Her skin had a faint glow, and her snow-white hair cascaded over her shoulders.
"I am one of the last of my kind. We are the guardians of the gates, the ones who maintain the balance between the worlds. But without the key, we cannot return."
Richard felt his mind spinning. "Do you mean… you want to use the medallion to return to the other side?"
"Not only that. I want to teach you how to use it. I want you to be my disciple."
Richard looked at her, incredulous.
"Your disciple? Why me?"
"Because the system you have isn't something common. It's a gift from the other side, something even I don't fully understand. But if you have it, it means you're destined for something greater."
Richard didn't know what to say. Everything he had ever believed about the world was being challenged once again.
---
Before he could respond, a roar echoed through the cavern. The figure quickly turned, raising a hand.
"Prepare yourself! We're not alone."
From the shadows emerged creatures Richard had never seen before. They seemed made of smoke and fire, with glowing eyes that radiated hatred.
"What are those things?" Richard asked, backing away.
"Corrupted Guardians. Creatures from the Other Side that have lost their purpose."
The figure raised both hands, and a circle of light appeared around it. With a swift motion, it launched a blast of energy that struck one of the creatures, knocking it back.
"Use your skills!" it shouted, dodging an attack.
Richard activated "Wind Steps" and moved quickly to avoid the creatures. But his mana was limited, and he knew he couldn't maintain the skill for long.
"I can't do much more!" he shouted, narrowly dodging a blow.
The figure looked at him and reached out a hand.
"Trust me."
Richard hesitated, but finally took its hand. A surge of energy coursed through his body, and he felt his mana instantly recharge.
"How did you do that?"
"I'll explain later. Now, focus."
With his mana restored, Richard used "Wind Steps" to move behind one of the creatures and strike it with a rock he found on the ground. The figure, meanwhile, continued to fire blasts of energy, keeping the creatures at bay.
Finally, after an intense battle, the creatures vanished into smoke, leaving the cavern silent once more.
Richard sank to the ground, panting.
"This is... too much."
The figure approached him, offering him a hand to rise.
"This is only the beginning." If you want to survive, you'll have to learn quickly.
Richard took her hand and stood up, feeling something inside him change.
"Fine. Teach me."
The figure nodded, a faint smile on its face.
"My name is Elyndra. And from now on, I will be your guide."
Richard felt a strange connection with that name, as if it resonated deep within him.
"Elyndra…"
"Also, your system seems to have reacted. Look at your mana."
Richard opened his interface and saw a system message:
"Mana limit increased to 15."
"My mana has increased," Richard said, surprised.
Elyndra nodded.
"It's a sign that you're beginning to adapt. But there's still much to learn."
Richard took a deep breath, preparing for what was to come.
"Then let's begin."