SWNOVELS Chapter 12
Fenris didn’t need to be told twice. He grabbed Lyra’s arm, practically dragging her through the opening. They tumbled into the temple courtyard just as the barrier snapped closed behind them, cutting off the enraged howls of their pursuers.
For a moment, they lay on the cold stone, catching their breath. Lyra turned to Fenris, her eyes widening as she took in the deep claw marks scoring his left arm. “You’re hurt!”
Fenris grimaced, sitting up with a grunt of pain. “It’s not as bad as it looks. Werewolf healing, remember? I’ll be fine in a few hours.”
Lyra frowned, clearly unconvinced, but knew they had more pressing concerns. She looked around, taking in their surroundings. The courtyard was eerily silent, the only movement coming from wisps of spectral energy that drifted lazily through the air.
“So,” Fenris said, pushing himself to his feet. “Any idea where we might find this Moonstone?”
Lyra consulted the grimoire, her brow furrowed in concentration. “According to this, it should be at the top of the central tower. But…” She trailed off, her expression troubled. “But what?” Fenris prompted.
“The text mentions guardians,” Lyra said hesitantly. “Spirits bound to the temple, tasked with protecting the Moonstone for eternity. It says we’ll have to prove ourselves worthy to pass.”
Fenris sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Of course. Because it can never be simple, can it? Any hints on how we prove our worth to a bunch of ghosts?”
Before Lyra could respond, a ethereal voice echoed through the courtyard. “Who dares enter the sacred Temple of the Moon?”
They turned to see a spectral figure materializing before them. It was a woman, her features regal and timeless, clothed in flowing robes that seemed to be woven from moonlight itself.
Lyra stepped forward, her voice steady despite her racing heart. “I am Lyra, a witch of the Evernight Coven. This is Fenris, a werewolf of the… of no pack.” She faltered slightly, unsure how to introduce her companion. “We seek the Moonstone of Avalon, to prevent a great calamity that threatens all realms.”
The spirit’s eyes, glowing with an inner light, studied them intently. “Many have sought the Moonstone, driven by greed or a lust for power. What makes you different?”
–
Fenris spoke up, his voice low and earnest. “We don’t seek power for ourselves. There’s a prophecy – the barriers between worlds are weakening. If we don’t gather five elemental artifacts, including the Moonstone, chaos will consume everything.”
The spirit was silent for a long moment, her gaze seeming to pierce through them. Finally, she nodded. “I sense the truth in your words, and the weight of destiny upon you both. But good intentions alone are not enough to claim the Moonstone. You must prove yourselves worthy through trials of body, mind, and spirit.”
With a wave of her translucent hand, three archways shimmered into existence around the courtyard. Each pulsed with a different color of energy – red, blue, and silver.
“Three trials await you,” the spirit intoned. “The Trial of Courage, the Trial of Wisdom, and the Trial of Unity. Succeed, and the path to the Moonstone will be opened. Fail, and your souls will join the countless others who have perished in the attempt.”
Lyra and Fenris exchanged glances, a silent communication passing between them. They had come too far to turn back now.
“We accept your trials,” Lyra said, her voice ringing with determination.
The spirit nodded solemnly. “Then choose your first test, and may the goddess guide your steps.”
As the spirit faded from view, Lyra turned to Fenris. “Which one should we attempt first?”
Fenris studied the archways, his expression thoughtful. “The Trial of Courage seems like it would play to my strengths. But…” He hesitated, looking at Lyra with a mixture of trust and uncertainty that made her heart skip a beat. “What do you think? You’re the expert on magical artifacts, after all.”
Lyra felt a warmth spread through her chest at his deference to her judgment. It was a small thing, perhaps, but it spoke volumes about how far they’d come in their fledgling partnership.
“I think you’re right about the Trial of Courage,” she said after a moment’s consideration. “But let’s save that for when we’re both at full strength. Your arm still needs time to heal, and I’m drained from breaking through that barrier. Why don’t we start with the Trial of Wisdom? Two heads are better than one, after all.”
Fenris nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Sound reasoning. Lead the way, wise one.”
As they approached the blue-tinged archway, Lyra felt a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she was glad to be facing them with Fenris at her side. In the short time they’d known each other, he had proven himself to be brave, loyal, and far more complex than she had initially given him credit for.
They stepped through the archway together, the world around them dissolving into a swirl of blue energy. When their vision cleared, they found themselves in a vast circular chamber. The walls were lined with towering bookshelves, each filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. At the center of the room stood a pedestal, upon which rested a large, ornate puzzle box.
The spectral guardian materialized before them once more. “To pass the Trial of Wisdom, you must unlock the secrets of the Lunar Codex. Within this puzzle box lie the fragments of an ancient spell. Decipher it correctly, and you will have proven your intellectual worth. But be warned – each incorrect attempt will drain your life force. Choose your answers carefully, for you may not have the strength for many mistakes.”
With those ominous words, the spirit vanished, leaving Lyra and Fenris alone with the daunting task before them.
twist
Lyra approached the pedestal, her fingers hovering over the intricate puzzle box. “Well,” she said, trying to inject a note of confidence into her voice, “I suppose we’d better get started. Are you ready for a crash course in ancient magical theory, Fenris?”
Fenris moved to stand beside her, his presence reassuring despite the gravity of their situation. “As ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s show these spirits what a witch and a werewolf
can do when we put our minds together.”
As they bent over the puzzle box, neither of them noticed the faint silver glow emanating from where their hands rested side by side on the pedestal.
Hours passed.
Fenris paced restlessly behind her, his amber eyes darting between the puzzle box and
the towering bookshelves that lined the chamber. The scent of old parchment and arcane power filled his nostrils, setting his nerves on edge. He couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched, judged by unseen eyes.
“Any progress?” he asked, trying to keep the impatience from his voice.
Lyra shook her head, frustration evident in the set of her shoulders. “This isn’t like any magical lock I’ve encountered before. The patterns keep changing, adapting to my attempts to decipher them. It’s almost as if…”
“As if it’s alive,” Fenris finished, a chill running down his spine.