The hermit nodded slowly, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. "Light and darkness have always been interdependent and mutually restraining. And you are the key to this balance. Remember, true victory lies not in how many enemies you defeat, but in whether you can protect the light within your heart."
Just then, a series of hurried, heavy footsteps approached from outside the hut, accompanied by the rustling of leaves. A stranger, cloaked and with their face concealed, appeared at the door. Their voice, deep and powerful, pierced the night and reached everyone's ears: "Hermit, the forces of darkness have begun to stir. Not only our continent, but the entire world will face an unprecedented crisis. Lightbringers, are you ready?"
Alex stood up first, his eyes shining with determination. "No matter how difficult the challenge, we will rise to the occasion. Please tell us, what can we do to stop this disaster?"
The stranger slowly entered the hut, lifting a corner of his cloak to reveal a pair of deep eyes that seemed to see into people's hearts. "To fight against the impending darkness, you need to find the lost artifact—the Wheel of Fortune. It is the last line of defense left over from ancient times, which can grant the messengers of light the ability to wield ultimate power. But the whereabouts of the artifact are unknown. Only by solving the riddles in the ancient prophecies can you find clues."
Upon hearing this, the old hermit took out an old parchment scroll from his robes, on which were engraved obscure symbols and images. “This is part of the prophecy, but its true meaning can only be deciphered by those with pure hearts and strong wills. You must split up and go your separate ways, both to improve yourselves and to seek the key that can reveal the location of the sacred artifact.”
The young magician stared at the parchment scroll, lost in thought. "So, our first stop is..."
"An ancient city of ruins, once the cradle of wisdom and magic, now forgotten by the erosion of time. Hidden within its walls lies the first key to the answer," the stranger replied, his figure fading into the night.
The three exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with both trepidation and anticipation. Alex waved his hand and announced, "We have no time to hesitate. We'll set off first thing tomorrow morning. Prepare yourselves; we will prove with our actions that light will never be swallowed by darkness."
The following morning, as the first rays of sunlight touched the roof of the hermit's hut, the three messengers of light were already prepared to depart. The villagers spontaneously came to see them off, their eyes filled with reluctance and hope.
"You must come back safely!" a young girl cried out, tears welling in her eyes, as she held a bouquet of wildflowers.
"We will. For everyone's sake, we will all return safely." The magician patted the girl's shoulder, offering comfort while also reaffirming his own resolve.
As the three embarked on their quest for the sacred artifact, their figures gradually disappeared into the morning mist. The hermit stood before the hut, watching them leave until they were completely out of sight, before whispering, "May the light guide your path, and even in the darkest of times, never forget the light within your hearts."
After traversing the dense forest, the three messengers of light arrived at the edge of a long-abandoned city. Broken stone pillars and sprawling vines told tales of its former glory. The city gates were ajar, as if quietly awaiting their arrival.
"Is this the city of ruins? It looks even more desolate than the legends say." Alex looked around, his words tinged with disbelief.
"History is always like this; no matter how glorious, it will eventually be buried by time." The magician's tone held a hint of sadness, his gaze searching for something. "However, the answer we seek lies within this city."
Just as they were taking a step forward, an old and hoarse voice suddenly rang out: "It's been a long time since anyone has come here. Are you here to look for something?" A ragged old man slowly emerged from the shadows, his eyes gleaming with a cunning that did not belong to his age.
“Do you know anything, sir?” Alex stepped forward and asked politely.
The old man chuckled: "I've guarded this secret all my life, so naturally I know a thing or two. But information doesn't come for free, you know."
The magician smiled gently and took out a small vial of shimmering potion from his sleeve: "This is a recovery potion we obtained on our journey. Although there isn't much, it should be of some use to you."
The old man took the medicine, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes: "You have good taste. What you're looking for is the key to the answer, hidden in the heart of the city, in that forgotten library. However, the road won't be easy; be careful of the guardians."
"Guardians?" Alex frowned.
“Yes, ancient mechanisms and cursed guardians prevent anyone from easily approaching the truth.” With that, the old man turned and left, disappearing into the surrounding shadows.
The three exchanged a glance, said nothing, and strode deeper into the city. Along the way, they avoided countless traps and defeated one guard after another controlled by dark forces. After each battle, passersby marveled at their bravery and strength.
“Look at those warriors! Aren’t they fighting for our peace?” a child pointed at them, his eyes full of admiration.
"I really hope that one day I can be as strong as them," the young man next to him sighed.
As they ventured deeper, the city's appearance grew increasingly eerie, but their resolve only strengthened. Finally, in the center of a ruin, they found the remains of the ancient library. The library's doors opened automatically, releasing an ancient and solemn aura.
Inside the library, a gigantic book floated in the air, emitting a soft glow, seemingly beckoning them. Alex stepped forward and gently touched the book; its pages automatically turned, revealing lines of golden text—the key to solving the mystery.
“‘When the light of the soul clashes with darkness, the wheel of fortune will reveal itself beneath the stars.’ What does that mean?” Alex murmured to himself.
The magician pondered for a moment: "Under the stars, does that mean we need to search at night? And the light of the soul, perhaps, refers to our inner beliefs and perseverance."
“Then let’s set off now, we can’t waste a single second,” Alex said firmly. The three of them left the library under the moonlight, ready to face their next challenge.
As night fell and the stars twinkled, the three of them gazed at the sky, their hearts filled with the unknown, yet also with hope.
"No matter what lies ahead, as long as we're together, there's no difficulty we can't overcome." Alex's voice echoed in the quiet night sky.
“That’s right, light will always find a way out,” the magician agreed.
“I hope so.” A deep, magnetic voice suddenly broke through, and a mysterious figure clad in a black robe appeared not far away. His/her face was covered by a silver mask, revealing only his/her sharp eyes. “Because the darkness is also searching for the same answer.”
The conversation abruptly ended, leaving endless suspense. Will the encounter between the messenger of light and the mysterious man in black robes trigger a new conflict? Can they join forces or fight against each other to uncover the true secrets of the wheel of fate?
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