The ancient structure loomed before them, half-shrouded in mist, its towering stone walls covered in vines. Mei Lin and Li Sheng had finally reached the Celestial Vault, but they weren't alone.
Mei Lin's pulse quickened as she spotted faint footprints leading toward the entrance. "The Order got here first," she whispered.
Li Sheng gripped his sword. "Then we're running out of time."
They cautiously made their way toward the stone archway. Strange symbols were carved into the weathered pillars—marks of an ancient civilization long forgotten. Mei Lin traced her fingers over one of the engravings, feeling a strange warmth beneath her touch.
Before she could react, a deep, rumbling voice echoed from within the vault.
"Who dares trespass upon sacred ground?"
A gust of wind swept through the ruins as a shadowy figure emerged. He was an old man with piercing golden eyes, dressed in flowing robes adorned with celestial patterns. Despite his age, his aura was overwhelming—powerful yet calm, like an immovable mountain.
Li Sheng instinctively stepped in front of Mei Lin, his sword raised. "Who are you?"
The old man studied them for a moment before smiling faintly. "I am the Vault's Guardian. And if you seek its secrets, you must prove yourselves worthy."
Before Mei Lin could respond, the ground trembled. The ruins shimmered, and in an instant, the landscape around them changed.
They were no longer standing at the entrance. Instead, they were inside a vast hall filled with towering stone pillars and floating orbs of light. The air was thick with energy, and Mei Lin could feel a strange force pressing against her chest.
"The Trial of the Vault begins now," the Guardian declared.
Mei Lin and Li Sheng exchanged a glance. Whatever this trial was, failure wasn't an option.