"Before that, can I ask you something?" Aldred asked.
"What is it?"
"Who are you?"
"I am one of the guardian of this place."
"Doesn't that mean you have to fight me?"
"Not necessarily. My task is simply to test and challenge if any of you are worthy to obtain this treasure."
"Who gave you this task?"
The old lady smiled. "The world, son."
She disappeared, and then a voice came from the wind. "Come back to this place when you collect enough spiritual rocks."
"I wonder if the guardians have a life of their own. Like, do they have family and friends?" Mary asked.
"I don't think so," Mira said. "The bible described the guardians as the manifestation of the world. They are simply avatars that act as the tester for the treasure hunter. But the bible isn't always right. Nothing is always right."
"Manifestation of the world?" Aldred asked. "That's like saying the world has consciousness and has a goal of its own. If that was true, what was the intention behind the treasure?"