"The Guardian of the Forgotten Temple" [Part 22] Tengu Origins - An Infinity Kingdom Story

🔷 Introduction

Welcome to part 22 of my new Tengu series.  This will be inspired by the new release of Tengu in our game and incorporating his legend within the realm of Norheim.

His story will be roughly based on his historical legend with a twist from within the game we know and love.  I will be bringing 1 or 2 new episodes per week so stay tuned for more!

🔷 Recap Part 21:  “Hunter In The Dark”

Tengu and Ninetails traveled through the forest without stopping as an unseen creature stalked them throughout the night. At dawn, Tengu finally caught sight of two enormous glowing eyes watching from the trees before the mysterious hunter disappeared without a sound. 

🔷 Part 22:  “The Guardian of the Forgotten Temple”

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the trees as Tengu and Ninetails continued their journey.

Neither of them spoke about the glowing eyes.

Some things did not need words.

After another hour of walking, the forest slowly began to change.

The towering pines gave way to ancient stone paths nearly hidden beneath thick moss.

Broken statues lined the trail.

Many had lost their heads.

Others had been split cleanly in half.

Time had nearly erased the place, yet an overwhelming presence still lingered among the ruins.

Tengu reached into his pack and removed the ancient map.

The faded parchment shimmered.

Thin lines of golden light spread across its surface.

A path appeared where none had existed before.

"It is changing," he whispered.

Ninetails stared at the glowing map.

"It is guiding us."

The new path ended at a crumbling temple nestled against the side of a rocky hill.

Massive stone doors stood open.

Vines hung from cracked pillars while weathered carvings covered every wall.

As Tengu stepped inside, warmth spread through the Thorn Armor beneath his clothes.

The vines woven into the armor slowly tightened around his chest.

Almost as if they had awakened.

The temple was silent.

Dust drifted through narrow beams of sunlight.

At the far end of the chamber stood a single stone altar.

Upon it rested an ancient helmet fashioned entirely from blackened bone.

The moment Tengu took one step toward it, a deep voice echoed through the temple.

"Stop."

The sound shook the walls.

Tengu froze.

Slowly, a towering figure emerged from the darkness behind the altar.

It stood nearly twice the height of any man.

Ancient armor covered its massive frame.

Roots twisted through cracked plates of iron.

Stone clung to its shoulders as though the mountain itself had claimed it.

Its skull resembled that of a great beast, with glowing blue light burning within empty eye sockets.

One enormous hand rested upon a weathered spear carved from dark stone.

Ninetails lowered herself into a defensive stance.

"The watcher," she whispered.

The giant guardian looked directly at Tengu.

Its gaze settled upon the Thorn Armor.

"You carry what belongs to the dead."

Tengu slowly drew his sword.

"I found it."

"It was never yours to claim."

The guardian took one heavy step forward.

The temple floor trembled beneath its weight.

"The Bone Warden entrusted these relics to eternity."

"I do not serve the Bone Warden," Tengu answered.

"No."

The guardian's glowing eyes narrowed.

"But he already knows your name."

A cold silence filled the chamber.

Tengu tightened his grip on his sword.

"What does he want with me?"

The guardian slowly lowered its spear.

"Return the armor."

"Never."

For several heartbeats neither warrior moved.

Then the guardian vanished.

Tengu barely had time to raise his blade before the massive spear crashed against it.

The impact hurled him across the chamber.

His back struck a stone pillar hard enough to crack it.

Pain exploded through his body.

Before the guardian could strike again, sharp vines burst from the Thorn Armor.

They wrapped around the spear and forced it aside.

The guardian stopped.

For the first time, surprise crossed its ancient face.

"It has accepted you."

The vines slowly withdrew.

The giant stepped backward and planted its spear against the floor.

"Then your trial has begun."

Without another word, the guardian dissolved into drifting dust.

Only silence remained inside the forgotten temple.

📄 Recap Questions

1. What caused the ancient map to reveal a hidden path through the ruins?
2. Why was the guardian surprised after striking Tengu with its spear?

🔷 Conclusion

The forgotten temple revealed that Tengu's journey was far greater than he had imagined, and the relics he carried were tied directly to the Bone Warden's ancient legacy. With the guardian's warning still echoing in his mind, Tengu realized that every step forward would now be part of a trial that had begun long before he was born. 

See you next week!

🔷 Hades, Press Officer.

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