Chapter 8
725words
Elias relied on clues from his grandfather's diary and his own intuition to continually choose which direction to proceed. He discovered many riddles carved into the walls of the passage, most of which were related to Norse mythology and human virtues.
"What has four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?" Elias saw a riddle and immediately recalled it was the Riddle of the Sphinx from Greek mythology, with the answer being "human." He found the rune representing "human" on the wall, lightly touched it with his dagger, and the stone door ahead opened in response.
Continuing forward, he encountered another riddle: "What can penetrate all barriers, yet cannot be touched?"
Elias thought for a moment and answered: "Light." He found the rune representing "light," touched it, and another stone door opened.
The puzzles in the passage became increasingly difficult, and Elias had to rack his brains to solve them. Some puzzles even required him to make small sacrifices, such as using his own blood to activate certain mechanisms, or giving up some items he carried.
Reaching the middle of the passage, Elias discovered a circular stone chamber with a stone platform in the center. On the platform lay three items: a black feather, a red stone, and a silver sword. On the chamber walls was carved a line of runes: "The feather of wisdom, the stone of power, the blood of sacrifice—these three offerings will open the door to truth."
Elias knew this was the final puzzle, and the most difficult one.
He had to make a choice, using these three items as offerings to open the door to the core of the temple.
He picked up the black feather, feeling how light it was, as if it had no weight at all. He knew it represented wisdom. During his exploration, wisdom had indeed helped him solve many difficult problems, but he also knew that sometimes relying too much on wisdom could make one become cold and selfish.
He put down the feather and picked up the red stone, feeling how heavy it was, as if it contained enormous power. He knew it represented strength. When facing dangers and challenges, strength was indeed important, but he also knew that if power was abused, it would bring destruction and disaster.
He put down the stone and picked up the silver sword, feeling how sharp it was, as if it could cut through anything. He knew it represented sacrifice. During his exploration, he had already made some small sacrifices, but he also knew that true sacrifice meant giving up one's most precious things for a greater purpose.
Elias hesitated for a moment, then made his decision.
He placed the black feather and the red stone back on the stone platform, then drew the bronze dagger and cut his own finger. Blood dripped onto the stone platform, emitting a faint glow.
The moment the blood fell onto the stone platform, the wall at the end of the stone chamber began to slowly move aside, revealing a passage leading to the core of the temple. The passage was filled with light, as if countless stars were twinkling within.
Elias bandaged his finger with cloth, picked up the silver sword, and walked into the passage. He knew that what he was about to see might be a truth beyond his imagination. Whatever this truth might be, he was prepared for it.
At the end of the passage was an enormous circular hall. In the center of the hall stood a massive altar, carved with intricate patterns depicting the evolution of the universe and the origin of life. Around the hall were many stone statues, similar in form to those seen in the temple's antechamber, but with much brighter light shining from their eyes.
At the far end of the hall was a giant door, engraved with a massive rune meaning "Truth." Elias approached the door and discovered a groove on its surface that matched the shape of the silver sword in his hand perfectly.
He inserted the sword into the groove and gently turned it. With a thunderous sound, the door slowly began to open outward, revealing the scene beyond. Elias held his breath, prepared to face the long-awaited truth.
