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Chapter 35 - The Truth of the Gate

Back in the second hidden chamber…

The four of you continued examining the murals.

Oliver ran his hand across one carving.

"This thing behind the gate…"

"…it's alive."

Lake nodded slowly.

"And it's been trying to get out."

Noah studied the runes surrounding the mural.

"These symbols are ancient binding magic."

Julian stepped closer to the center platform.

The carvings there showed something new.

A ritual circle.

Four figures standing around it.

Each holding powerful artifacts.

Weapons.

Tools.

Keys.

Julian's eyes narrowed.

"These look familiar."

Lake leaned in.

"…yeah."

Because the carvings looked eerily similar to what the four of you had become.

Four warriors.

Four artifacts.

Four powers.

Oliver stepped back.

"You're saying…"

Noah finished the sentence.

"…the gate might only open when four powerful wielders stand together."

Julian looked down at the stone floor.

Then back at the mural.

And suddenly something felt wrong.

Very wrong.

Because if that ritual opened the gate…

Then maybe that's exactly what Naomi wanted.

The chamber grew quiet again.

Above them…

Hidden within the castle walls…

Naomi's servants had already begun watching.

And far away in the forest…

Inside the crooked witch's house…

Naomi smiled.

The pieces were moving exactly where she wanted them.

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