Rahim, Karim, and Farid finally escaped from the underground ruins.
As they stepped outside, the hot desert wind hit their faces.
The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky orange and red.
Karim took a deep breath.
"Fresh air… finally."
Rahim smiled slightly.
"Yeah. I thought we would stay trapped down there forever."
Farid, however, still looked worried.
"The danger is far from over," he said seriously.
Rahim looked at the glowing silver key in his hand.
"The Storm Tower…"
Farid nodded.
"That is where the second key is hidden."
Karim sighed dramatically.
"Of course it is hidden inside another dangerous place."
Rahim laughed softly.
"That seems to happen a lot."
The crystal suddenly glowed again.
A beam of blue light pointed toward the east.
Farid looked in that direction.
"That is the path."
Far away, dark clouds covered the horizon.
Lightning flashed inside them.
Karim stared at the sky nervously.
"Please don't tell me the tower is inside that storm."
Farid replied calmly,
"It is."
Karim groaned.
"Wonderful."
The three of them continued their journey across the desert.
As night slowly arrived, the air became colder.
The wind grew stronger.
Sand moved across the ground like waves.
Rahim walked carefully while holding the crystal.
Its soft light guided them through the darkness.
After several hours, they reached the edge of the desert.
Ahead of them stood dark rocky land.
And in the distance—
A giant tower touched the sky.
Lightning flashed around it constantly.
Karim stopped walking.
"That tower looks terrifying."
The Storm Tower was ancient and massive.
Black stone covered its walls.
Blue lightning moved across its surface like living energy.
Farid said quietly,
"This tower protects the second key."
Rahim looked up at it.
"It feels powerful."
Farid nodded.
"It is one of the strongest guardian sites ever built."
As they moved closer, the weather became worse.
Thunder shook the sky.
Strong wind pushed against them.
Karim struggled to walk.
"This storm is crazy!"
Suddenly—
The crystal started glowing brighter.
The tower reacted immediately.
Blue lightning flashed across the entrance.
Then, slowly, the giant stone doors opened by themselves.
Karim blinked in surprise.
"I'm starting to think these places really like the crystal."
Farid smiled slightly.
"Yes. The guardians recognize it."
The three of them carefully entered the tower.
Inside, the air felt cold and heavy.
The walls were covered with glowing blue symbols.
Lightning moved through glass tubes built into the walls.
Karim looked amazed.
"This place looks more advanced than the desert ruins."
Farid nodded.
"The ancient guardians were far more intelligent than most people realize."
Suddenly—
The giant doors behind them slammed shut.
BOOM!
Karim jumped.
"Why do doors always do that?"
Rahim laughed quietly.
"Because adventures love dramatic moments."
Before Karim could reply, a deep voice echoed through the tower.
"Second guardians detected."
Blue light filled the room.
Karim whispered,
"That voice again…"
Farid looked serious.
"The tower is testing us."
A circular platform slowly rose from the floor.
In the center stood a glowing blue crystal sphere.
Lightning moved around it.
Rahim stepped closer carefully.
Then words suddenly appeared in glowing light above the sphere:
"To claim the second key, face the Trial of Courage."
Karim sighed.
"I miss normal life."
Rahim smiled.
"You'll survive."
The floor suddenly started moving.
The walls opened, revealing a narrow bridge.
But this bridge was different.
Below it was not water or darkness—
It was a giant storm filled with lightning.
Karim immediately stepped back.
"Nope. Absolutely not."
Farid looked at the bridge.
"The trial has begun."
Lightning flashed violently below them.
Strong wind shook the bridge.
Rahim looked serious.
"We have to cross."
Karim looked horrified.
"You want me to walk over THAT?"
Rahim laughed softly.
"We crossed worse."
Karim pointed downward.
"That storm can literally kill us!"
Farid stepped onto the bridge calmly.
"Fear is the purpose of this trial."
Rahim followed him.
Karim stood frozen for a moment.
Then another loud thunder strike shook the tower.
Karim quickly shouted,
"Okay fine! I'm coming!"
He carefully stepped onto the bridge.
The storm below roared loudly.
Wind pushed against them from every direction.
Step by step, they moved forward.
Suddenly—
A bolt of lightning struck near the bridge.
BOOOOM!
The bridge shook violently.
Karim almost slipped.
Rahim quickly grabbed him.
"Careful!"
Karim breathed heavily.
"I hate this tower."
Farid shouted over the storm,
"Keep moving!"
The glowing sphere inside the tower started shining brighter.
The crystal in Rahim's hand reacted strongly.
Blue energy surrounded them slightly, protecting them from the lightning.
Karim noticed it.
"The crystal is helping us again!"
Rahim nodded.
"Yes. It's protecting us."
They continued crossing slowly.
Then suddenly—
Dark shadow figures appeared inside the storm below.
Karim stared in shock.
"What are those things?"
Farid's face became serious.
"Storm spirits."
The shadow creatures began climbing toward the bridge.
Their glowing eyes locked onto the group.
Rahim tightened his grip on the crystal.
The Trial of Courage had just become much more dangerous.