PERFECT REINCARNATION : Being Invincible in Another World-Chapter 83: Guardian of the Forgotten Flame

The golden light pouring from the altar grew brighter. At first it had been only a faint glow spreading across the carved runes, but now the entire platform radiated with ancient power. Lines of golden energy flowed through the cracks of the ruined altar like molten metal, illuminating the surrounding sanctuary in warm flickering light. Rowan instinctively stepped back. "...That looks very bad."

The ground trembled beneath their feet. Dust fell from the cracked pillars scattered around the ruins, and fragments of ancient stone rolled across the floor as a deep rumbling echoed up from beneath the altar.

The Stone Wraiths surrounding the chamber lowered their heads. Their voices echoed in slow, grinding whispers.

"The sanctuary awakens..."

"The flame returns..."

"The guardian rises..."

Rowan looked at Aurelion. "...I’m guessing that means something big is coming." Aurelion’s gaze remained fixed on the altar. "Yes." The rumbling intensified. Cracks spread across the stone platform. The glowing depression at the altar’s center widened as something enormous forced its way upward from beneath the sanctuary. Then the altar exploded. Chunks of ancient stone were thrown outward as a massive limb burst through the platform. Rowan jumped back.

A colossal stone arm emerged first. The limb was enormous, covered in layered plates of ancient rock etched with glowing runes. Another arm followed. Then the creature’s massive torso rose from the shattered altar. The construct climbed out slowly, displacing huge chunks of broken stone as it rose to its full height. Rowan stared upward. "...That thing is huge."

The creature stood nearly twice as tall as the tallest pillars in the sanctuary. Its body resembled a massive armored statue carved from the ruins themselves. Thick plates of ancient stone covered its limbs and shoulders.

At the center of its chest burned a glowing core of golden flame. The light pulsed slowly, illuminating the cracks between the stone plates of its body. Its head lifted. Jagged horns curved backward like a crown. Golden eyes ignited. The creature looked down upon them. Then it spoke. Its voice echoed like grinding mountains. Aurelion nodded calmly.

"The Sanctuary Guardian."

The construct stepped forward. The ground trembled with each movement. Its glowing eyes slowly moved across the chamber. They passed over Rowan. Then they stopped on Sally. The golden flame inside its chest flared brighter. "...The heir... returns..." Rowan slowly turned toward her. "...Why does every strange thing in this dungeon keep calling you that?" Sally frowned. "I don’t know."

The Guardian lowered its head slightly. "...Bearer of the flame..." Rowan rubbed his temples. "...I feel like we missed something important earlier." The construct straightened again. The golden core within its chest pulsed brighter. "...Trial... must be fulfilled."

Aurelion stepped forward calmly. "A trial." Rowan glanced at him. "You say that like it’s normal." "In ancient sanctuaries, it often was." The Guardian raised one massive arm. "...The heir must prove the flame." Rowan pointed at Sally. "You hear that, right?" Sally crossed her arms. "I didn’t agree to any trial."

The Guardian’s flame blazed. "...Trial begins." The massive arm swung downward. Rowan barely had time to react. He dove sideways as the Guardian’s fist smashed into the ground. The impact shattered the stone floor. A shockwave rippled across the chamber, sending fragments of rock flying in every direction. Rowan rolled across the ground and scrambled to his feet. "...That thing hits like a falling mountain!"

The Guardian turned toward him slowly. "...The weak... shall fall." Rowan raised his sword. "...Excuse me?" The creature stepped forward again. Each step shook the ruined sanctuary. Aurelion finally drew his sword. "...Very well." The blade shined faintly in the dim light. The Guardian’s gaze shifted toward him. "...Royal blood..." Rowan said. "...Now it recognizes you too?"

The Guardian raised both arms. "...The trial continues..." Then Aurelion moved. His figure blurred forward with impossible speed. Rowan barely caught the flash of silver. A sharp crack echoed through the chamber. The Guardian was surprised. One of its massive arms separated from its body and crashed to the ground. Rowan stared. "...You cut its arm off."

The Guardian roared. Golden flames erupted from its chest core as it turned toward Aurelion in fury. "...Defiance..." The construct lunged. Its remaining arm swung downward. Aurelion stepped aside effortlessly. The massive fist slammed into the ground beside him, shattering the stone floor. Aurelion’s sword flashed again. Another crack echoed. A deep fracture appeared across the Guardian’s chest.

The golden core flickered. Rowan whispered. "...You’re breaking it." But the Guardian’s flame suddenly burned brighter. "...The flame must endure..." The creature raised its arm again. But before it could strike, Sally appeared in front of it. Rowan said. "...Wait."

Sally raised her fist. "My turn." She punched the Guardian directly in the chest. The impact echoed like thunder. Stone exploded outward from the construct’s torso. The golden core shattered. Cracks spread across the Guardian’s body. Then the enormous construct collapsed. Its massive form crumbled into piles of broken stone across the sanctuary.

Rowan stared at the wreckage. "...You two are ridiculous." Sally placed her hands on her hips proudly. "The honorable one wins again." Aurelion calmly sheathed his sword. "The trial is complete." For a moment there was no movement. Then Rowan noticed something. The destroyed platform still glowed faintly.

Golden light flickered within the broken center. Aurelion stepped closer. "...The altar was a seal." Rowan frowned. "For the Guardian?" Aurelion examined the shattered runes. "The sanctuary likely created it to protect what lies beneath." Rowan leaned over the broken center of the altar. "...You mean the dungeon core."

The destroyed altar now revealed a shaft descending deeper underground. Unlike the natural tunnels they had walked through earlier, this passage was clearly artificial. Stone steps spiraled downward into darkness. "...That wasn’t made by the dungeon," Rowan said. Aurelion nodded. "This was part of the sanctuary."

They descended the spiral staircase carefully. The deeper they went, the stronger the mana in the air became. Rowan could feel it pressing against his senses. "...The core is close."

The staircase eventually opened into another underground chamber. Unlike the ruined sanctuary above, this room remained mostly intact. Ancient pillars supported the ceiling. Stone pedestals stood arranged in a circle around the chamber. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Rowan stepped forward slowly. "...Another ritual room." Then he noticed something on one of the pedestals. A small object rested there. Half-buried beneath dust. Rowan brushed the debris away.

The object revealed itself. A narrow dagger-like weapon. Its metal shimmered faintly with a dull crimson glow. Ancient runes covered its surface. "...A relic?" Rowan picked it up. The moment his fingers touched the metal, The blade reacted to him. A sudden warmth traveled up his arm. The runes ignited with crimson light. Rowan flinched. "...Ah!" Sally leaned closer. "It likes you."

Rowan looked down at the glowing blade. "...That’s so cool." Aurelion studied the weapon carefully. "...An ancient mana relic." The blade suddenly projected a thin line of light into the air. It pointed toward a section of the chamber wall. "...It’s pointing somewhere," Rowan said.

Aurelion placed his hand against the stone wall. Mana flowed briefly from his palm. The wall reacted. Hidden runes illuminated. The stone slid aside. Revealing a deeper tunnel. A powerful surge of mana flooded the chamber. Rowan reacted. "...That’s definitely the dungeon core." Aurelion nodded. "Yes." Sally smiled eagerly.

"Then the real fight is ahead."

[To be Continued]