The howl faded into the distance.
Mason stared at the blocked staircase.
Mason: "So what now?"
The First Wolf turned toward the narrow passage Darius had used.
First Wolf: "Now you learn why your families hid the truth."
Zack looked at Mason.
Zack: "You heard it too, right?"
Mason: "Yeah."
Zack: "The Gate."
Mason nodded.
Mason: "We need to find out what it is."
The First Wolf stepped into the passage.
First Wolf: "Then follow me."
They entered the tunnel.
The walls were covered in ancient drawings—wolves, strange symbols, and two figures standing beneath a huge silver moon.
Mason stopped.
Mason: "That's us."
Zack looked closer.
The two figures in the drawing were wearing the exact same necklaces they now wore.
Zack: "This was made before we were born."
The First Wolf nodded.
First Wolf: "Long before."
Mason: "Then how did they know?"
First Wolf: "Because the bond has happened before."
Zack's eyes widened.
Zack: "There were other bonded pairs?"
First Wolf: "Three."
Mason: "What happened to them?"
The First Wolf stopped walking.
First Wolf: "They opened the Gate."
A cold silence filled the tunnel.
Zack: "And?"
First Wolf: "And the world nearly ended."
Mason looked at Zack.
Mason: "That's... not great."
Zack: "Definitely not."
Suddenly, Zack's necklace began glowing.
He grabbed it.
Zack: "Wait."
A faint voice whispered through the tunnel.
"Find the tower."
Mason looked around.
Mason: "Did you hear that?"
Zack nodded.
Zack: "Yes."
The First Wolf's expression changed.
First Wolf: "The Golden Tower."
Mason: "What's there?"
First Wolf: "Answers."
A deep rumble shook the tunnel.
Dust fell from above.
Then another rumble.
This time, it was closer.
Mason: "Please tell me that's not Darius."
The First Wolf shook its head.
First Wolf: "No."
Zack: "Then what is it?"
The First Wolf looked toward the darkness behind them.
First Wolf: "Something Darius awakened."
A massive roar echoed through the tunnel.
Mason grabbed Zack's arm.
Mason: "We should probably run."
Zack nodded.
Zack: "Definitely."
They sprinted deeper into the passage.
Behind them, something enormous entered the tunnel.
Its footsteps shook the walls.
BOOM.
BOOM.
BOOM.
Mason glanced back.
Two enormous golden eyes appeared in the darkness.
Mason: "Zack..."
Zack: "I see it."
The First Wolf shouted:
First Wolf: "KEEP RUNNING!"
Ahead of them, a faint golden light appeared.
The entrance to the Golden Tower.
And somewhere inside...
someone was waiting for them.