The Keeper of the Garden

The Eagle Parrot rocked gently at the dock as Darius and Elara slipped through the darkened streets of Ember’s Rest. Their encounter at the inn had set them back, but they weren’t giving up. The cryptic letter, the Path of Fire; it all led them here.

Ahead, an iron gate loomed, entwined with thorny vines. Beyond it, an old stone manor sat atop the hill, its windows dark as empty sockets.

“This is the place,” Darius muttered.

Elara ran a hand over the gate, wincing as a thorn pricked her finger. “Lovely. It’s always the creepy ones.”

Darius pushed the gate open with a creak, and they stepped inside. The garden was overgrown, wild with tangled ivy and faded statues half buried in weeds. But one thing stood out; a single, untouched rose, deep red and in full bloom, growing near the manor’s entrance.

Elara frowned. “That’s not ominous at all.”

Darius plucked the rose and examined it. There was something unnatural about it; its petals felt warm, as if pulsing with hidden energy.

“Magic,” he murmured.

Before Elara could respond, a voice cut through the night.

“You shouldn’t be here.”

They whirled around, weapons drawn. A hooded figure stood in the shadows, watching them with piercing eyes that gleamed gold in the moonlight.

“Who are you?” Darius demanded.

The figure stepped forward, lowering their hood to reveal a scarred face, sharp and knowing.

“I am the keeper of this place,” they said. “And if you seek the Path of Fire, you must prove yourself worthy.”

Darius exchanged a glance with Elara. Of course, it was never simple.

“Great,” Elara sighed. “What now?”

The keeper flashed a sharp toothy grin. “You’ll see soon enough.”