CHAPTER 8 – The Greatest Betrayal
Emily's heart sank.
"You stole it..."
Hayes smiled.
"It wasn't difficult."
"When you were helping the Guardian, one of my men searched your backpack."
He held the silver necklace high.
The ancient symbol engraved on it immediately began glowing.
Every snake in the city suddenly became restless.
Kael's expression changed from sadness...
...to fear.
"No..."
he whispered.
"He cannot touch it."
Emily looked at him.
"Why?"
Kael's voice trembled.
"That isn't just a necklace."
"It's the Key."
"The Key?"
"The only object capable of opening the Gate of Eternity."
Hayes laughed.
"And behind that gate..."
"...is enough power to control every nation on Earth."
Emily stared at him.
"You've killed people for this?"
Hayes didn't deny it.
"For thirty years."
"My father searched."
"My grandfather searched."
"Now I'll finish what they couldn't."
He placed the necklace into a circular stone lock at the center of the city.
Click.
The entire ground shook.
A massive stone gate that had remained sealed for thousands of years slowly began to rise.
Golden light poured through the opening.
The Guardian let out a deafening roar.
For the first time...
Emily saw genuine fear in the ancient creature's eyes.
"Close it!" she screamed.
"It's too late," Hayes replied.
The doors opened completely.
Silence.
Nothing happened.
Hayes laughed triumphantly.
"I told you there was no curse."
Then...
A single black hand reached out from the darkness beyond the gate.
It wasn't human.
Its fingers were impossibly long.
Its skin looked like moving shadows.
Another hand appeared.
Then another.
Hundreds of glowing red eyes slowly opened inside the darkness.
Kael fell to his knees.
His face turned completely pale.
"The Gate..."
he whispered.
"It wasn't built to keep treasure inside."
Emily looked at the endless darkness behind the doorway.
"What was it built for?"
Kael slowly raised his terrified eyes.
"To keep them from getting out."
At that exact moment...
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The first shadow creature stepped into the ancient city.
And every living thing—including the mighty Guardian—began to retreat.
