Kal walked through the fog, tired and sore. The trees had faded behind him, and the path became rocky and steep. For almost an hour, he followed the map with no sign of life, just gray mist and stone. Then he stopped.
In front of him stood a wall. It stretched wide on both sides, tall and made of dark mountain stone. There were no gates, no markings, just solid rock. Kal looked at the map again.
"Is this thing broken?" he muttered.
He stepped closer and placed his hand on the wall. Nothing happened at first. But then, the map in his other hand glowed faintly and slipped from his fingers.
The map floated into the stone like it was being pulled.
Kal stepped back, eyes wide.
The wall rumbled. A line of light cracked across the stone, then a large doorway slowly opened. Cold air rushed out from the darkness inside.
Kal gripped the Knightblade and stepped forward
The stone door opened, and Kal stepped inside. The air was cold, the walls covered in strange glowing marks. He walked forward slowly, every step echoing. Then he heard it.
A sharp sound. Fast steps.
A girl shot out of the shadows, sword raised. Kal barely dodged as the blade cut through the air beside him. She didn't speak. She came at him again, this time swinging harder.
Kal blocked with his sword, but the impact shook his arms. She spun and kicked him in the chest, sending him to the floor. He rolled away and got up quick, heart pounding.
She was already on him, blade flashing in the dim light. Kal blocked once, twice, but she was too fast. Her sword scraped his shoulder. She raised it again for a final strike.
Then claws slammed into her blade.
A boy stood between them, holding her back.
"Stop. What are you doing" he said.
"He's an intruder" she snapped, trying to shove past.
"Calm down. Let's hear him out first."
"Move" she growled.
The boy's claws tightened and his teeth sharpened.
"Make me."
The fight was fierce. The girl swung her sword, the boy blocked with sharp claws. Suddenly, a calm voice cut through the noise.
"Stop. What are you doing?"
An old man stepped out from the shadows. His faded cloak was marked with symbols from all six kingdoms. His white beard hung low, and his sharp eyes studied them all.
The girl glared at him. "This beast is protecting an intruder."
The boy snarled back, "Does a inferno rat have more control over its temper than the people from Solhara?"
The girl got angry saying "your going to regret saying that about my people "
The old man's eyes narrowed. "Enough. Stop this at once. This boy is the heir of the Kaldren Kingdom."
Both the girl and the boy froze, surprise flashing in their eyes.
The girl whispered, "I never heard Kaldren had an heir."
The boy looked confused but cautious.
The old man said calmly, "There is much you do not know. It is time to listen."