The warm sands of the Shrine of Eternal Sands flickered faintly beneath the twin suns hanging low in the spirit world’s sky.
A light breeze stirred the golden grains, rustling the leaves of the lush garden that surrounded the shrine’s stone structure. Kent sat beneath the shade of an ancient willow tree, his back resting against the rough bark, legs stretched out before him.
The manual given by old man Grizzac lay open across his lap. The old man Grizzac’s parting gift is the only hope left to enter inside the shrine.
Kent’s fingers traced the ancient marks inscribed along the edge of the pages. The symbols shifted slightly, as if alive beneath his touch.
A month had passed since he stepped on this shrine. The soft silk bandages that once wrapped his chest and arms were gone, replaced by faint scars and lingering soreness.
He was no longer confined to bed, but each step still carried a dull ache. Movement was slow, but it didn’t matter. He preferred the quiet.
The garden around him bloomed in rich colors, but Kent’s eyes stayed fixed on the manual. The words written inside the manual echoed in his mind.
“The shrine is not created by anyone. Like the sun, it is part of the universe.”
“The shrine chooses who it reveals itself to. Only those who understand its rules will survive.”
Page by page, Kent absorbed the intricate details laid out. Occasionally there are words written by Grizzac.
The manual wasn’t simply a guide now; it was a map of survival. Every line hinted at the hidden dangers waiting beyond the shrine’s fiery barrier.
“The four cauldrons at each corner – empty to the eye, yet full to the soul,” Kent read aloud softly, the words barely louder than the rustling wind. “When the blood moon rises, their hunger must be sated.”
His brow furrowed. Everything is related to the blood moon. Whatever lay beyond the shrine’s walls was tied to it.
Kent turned the page carefully. A faded illustration of the shrine filled the parchment, its towering stone walls etched in intricate detail. Strange markings surrounded the structure—shapes that looked like eyes, layered over one another.
“The Eyes of the Shrine see all. Approach with clean intent, or the sand will claim you.”
Kent exhaled slowly. Clean intent. The meaning felt distant, just out of reach.
A faint sound drew his attention to the baby dragon curled up near his feet. The small creature snored softly, its silver scales gleaming under the light.
It had grown slightly over the past month, though it remained fiercely protective of Kent. The dragon stirred any time Kent drifted away from his reading, as if reminding him to return to the task at hand.
He ran his hand over the creature’s head, and it let out a soft purr before settling deeper into sleep. Kent’s gaze shifted back to the text.
“No windows, no doors. The shrine’s walls hold no openings. Only those who solve the Riddle of Sands may enter.”
He frowned. Grizzac’s handwriting grew rougher at this section, as if written in haste.
“The riddle changes with each cycle. But remember this: The answer is never sought, only revealed. Do not force your way. Those who break the shrine’s surface will become part of its foundation.”
Kent leaned his head back against the tree trunk, letting the manual rest on his chest. The sky overhead darkened slightly as the suns began to lower. The manual’s words spun in his head, but answers still felt distant.
He wasn’t in a rush to uncover everything. The shrine wasn’t going anywhere, and neither was he.
–
Next day…
The sun hung low over the gardens of the Shrine of Eternal Sands, casting long shadows across the soft grass. Kent sat under a sprawling tree, his back against the ancient bark, flipping through the delicate pages of the manual given to him by old man Grizzac.
His eyes traced the intricate symbols and diagrams, absorbing every line with the patience of a man who knew time was both his greatest ally and enemy.
Nearby, Aran Lam paced restlessly, his gaze flicking toward Kent every few moments. Curiosity gnawed at him. Kent had been reading that book for days, and Aran couldn’t shake the feeling that it held answers to the mysteries surrounding the shrine.
After a moment of hesitation, Aran stepped forward, approaching Kent quietly. He bent slightly, attempting to glimpse the open manual. Just as his eyes caught a flicker of text, a sudden weight pressed against his chest.
With a sharp intake of breath, Aran found himself face-to-face with Kent’s baby dragon. The creature, no larger than a house cat, sat perched on his chest, glaring with narrowed golden eyes that shimmered in the fading light. Its tiny claws pricked his tunic as it let out a soft but threatening growl.
Aran swallowed hard, raising his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright! I was just curious,” he whispered with a sheepish grin.
The dragon blinked once, then slowly stepped back, allowing Aran to retreat. He shuffled away from Kent, brushing dust off his clothes as he muttered to himself.
As young master Aran turned a corner around the shrine’s stone path, Gunji Zing was leaning casually against a pillar, arms crossed, watching him with raised eyebrows.
“What was that about?” Gunji asked, arching a brow as Aran approached.
Aran rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “I was just… trying to talk to Jean. Figured Kent might need a break.”
Gunji’s eyes narrowed knowingly. “Talk to Jean? Or spend time with Jean?”
Aran chuckled nervously, avoiding her gaze. “Can’t it be both?”
Gunji pushed off the pillar and stepped in front of him, blocking his path. “Listen, Aran. You need to let that go.”
Aran’s playful grin faded. “What do you mean?”
Gunji sighed, folding her arms again. “You think I haven’t noticed? The way you hover around her, looking for excuses to be near? Jean isn’t interested in you that way.”
Aran’s brow furrowed in protest. “She’s just kind to Kent because he’s injured. She’s a healer. That’s what healers do.”
Gunji shook her head, her voice softening but carrying weight. “No, Aran. It’s more than that. I’ve seen the way she looks at him when he isn’t paying attention. The way she stays up longer than any of us, making sure he’s comfortable. Also, she has known Kent since long ago.”
Aran shifted uncomfortably. “Maybe she just feels responsible.”
Gunji’s eyes softened. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but Jean’s heart is already set on Kent. You should stop wasting your time chasing something that isn’t yours to catch.”
Aran’s fists clenched at his sides. “I’m not wasting time. Maybe if I show her—”
“No, You’re only setting yourself up for disappointment. And worse, you’ll drive a wedge between all of us. We don’t need that right now. Let her be by his side if that’s what she wants.” Gunji said.
Silence stretched between them. Aran stared at the ground, his lips pressed into a thin line. Finally, he exhaled slowly and gave a reluctant nod. “I guess you’re right.”
Gunji’s expression softened as she placed a hand on his shoulder. “Good. Focus on what matters, Aran. There are bigger things ahead of us. And who knows? Maybe the right person will come along when you’re not trying so-hard to find them.”
Aran made a faint smile.