The journey through the mountains grew more dangerous with every step. Cold winds howled between the sharp rocks, and dark clouds slowly covered the sky. Aria, Rowan, and the Dragon carefully walked along the narrow path that twisted around the cliffs.
"Are you sure this is the right way?" Rowan asked, looking down at the deep valley below.
Aria opened the old map they had found in the ancient cave. The edges of the map were torn and faded, but one symbol was still clear — a mark showing a hidden place beneath the mountain.
"Yes," Aria said quietly. "The map says there is something hidden under this mountain… something important."
The Dragon, flying slowly above them, suddenly stopped and looked toward a giant rock wall."I feel something ancient here," the Dragon said in a deep voice. "Something powerful."
They moved closer to the rock wall. At first, it looked like an ordinary cliff, but when Aria brushed away the dust and vines, strange symbols appeared on the stone.
Rowan's eyes widened. "These symbols… they look very old."
Aria carefully touched one of the carvings. The moment her hand touched the stone, the ground trembled slightly. A deep rumbling sound echoed through the mountain.
Suddenly, the rock wall began to move.
A hidden stone gate slowly opened, revealing a dark tunnel leading deep inside the mountain.Rowan stepped back in shock. "A hidden entrance…"
The Dragon lowered its head and looked into the darkness. "This place has been sealed for centuries."
Aria took a deep breath. "Then we should see what's inside."
They lit a torch and entered the tunnel.
The air inside was cool and silent. Their footsteps echoed as they walked deeper underground. The tunnel stretched far into the darkness, and the walls were covered with ancient carvings.
After walking for several minutes, the tunnel finally opened into something unbelievable.
A massive underground city appeared before them.Tall stone towers stood in silence. Broken bridges hung over deep gaps, and giant statues watched over the empty streets. Strange glowing crystals in the walls softly lit the entire place with a blue light.
Rowan could barely believe his eyes.
"A city… under the mountain…"
Aria slowly walked forward, amazed. "This must be the Hidden Kingdom."
The Dragon flew above the ancient ruins, looking at the statues.
"These are not ordinary statues," the Dragon said. "These are the Guardians."
Aria looked closely at one of them. The statue showed a warrior holding a glowing sword, with a dragon standing beside him.On the base of the statue, ancient words were carved.
Rowan wiped the dust away and tried to read them.
"It says… 'The Guardians protected the world from the Shadow Realm.'"
Aria's face became serious.
"So the Guardians were real."
They continued exploring the silent city. Everywhere they looked, there were carvings showing battles between light and darkness. Some walls showed dragons flying beside warriors, fighting shadow creatures.
Rowan stopped in front of a large stone wall covered in writing."There is a story here," he said.
Aria stepped closer and began reading the ancient language slowly.
"It says that long ago, the Guardians created a powerful seal to lock away the Shadow Realm. But the seal needed a key… a living power."
Rowan frowned. "A living power?"
The Dragon suddenly spoke.
"The Dragons."
Aria turned to the Dragon in surprise.
"The Dragons were part of the seal?" she asked.
The Dragon nodded slowly."Yes. Our power helped keep the Shadow Realm closed. That is why dragons slowly disappeared… we sacrificed our strength to protect this world."
A heavy silence filled the air.
Rowan looked around the empty city.
"So this place… this Hidden Kingdom… was the home of the Guardians?"
"Yes," Aria said quietly.
But suddenly, the ground shook again.
Small stones fell from the ceiling.
The glowing crystals flickered.
The Dragon's eyes suddenly became sharp.
"Something is wrong."A deep, dark energy slowly spread through the ruins.
Aria felt a cold chill run down her spine.
"The seal…" she whispered.
"It's breaking."
Far away in the darkness of the city, something moved.
Something ancient.
Something evil.
And it had finally awakened.