Chapter 198 The Trial Of The Hidden Sanctuary

• The entrance to the stone structure loomed ahead, dark and imposing, with ivy and moss draped over it like a curtain shielding the secrets within. Ariella took a step forward, the air growing thick with an ancient magic that seemed to hum beneath her feet. Her heart beat faster, anticipation mixing with a rising tide of uncertainty. She glanced at Kael, who stood beside her, his face unreadable but his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Eryndor, ever the mysterious guide, was already ahead, walking toward the entrance with a sense of purpose.
• Ariella took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever was to come. She had faced danger before, but there was something about this place that felt different—more powerful, more ancient. It was as though the very stones beneath her feet held memories of those who had come before her, and their echoes were reverberating through time, urging her to proceed.
• As they reached the entrance, the vines that clung to the stone parted on their own, as if recognizing their presence. The door—a massive stone slab covered in intricate carvings—opened with a low rumble. The air grew colder still, and Ariella could see her breath misting in front of her as they entered the dark hall beyond.