Chapter 29: Journey to Lastgate

As Shubhu and his companions prepared to depart, the weight of Satya's absence hung heavily over them. He had left days earlier for the God Trial, leaving the group one man short, but the thought of a new, powerful force waiting for them in Lastgate Village stirred their resolve.

"We need to get stronger if we want to survive," Kavi said, voicing the unspoken thought on everyone's mind. "Monsters, zombies, and now these unknown evils—we're always fighting to stay alive."

Tara nodded grimly. "If the legends about Lastgate are true, it's the place where Heaven itself fell. And now this tower... it's giving people power. We can't afford to miss this chance."

"Three days," Shubhu muttered, staring into the distance. "That's how long it'll take to get there."

Without further words, the group packed their supplies and set off, knowing that their survival depended on the strength they would gain from whatever lay ahead.

The journey was exhausting. The terrain was unforgiving—dense forests, rocky hills, and paths that grew more treacherous as they pressed forward. Nights were filled with eerie sounds of unseen creatures, their growls and howls reminding them that danger was never far. Still, they made use of the time. They hunted, fished, and set up campfires, swapping stories of old gods, forgotten wars, and things they'd heard whispered in taverns across the land.

On the second night, as they camped beside a shimmering lake, Kavi eagerly tested the limits of his newfound metal-bending powers, creating tools and weapons from the very earth beneath his hands. "This power... it's incredible, but I feel like I've barely scratched the surface," he said, watching the faint glow of his hands flicker in the dark.

Tara, ever vigilant, looked out into the distance. Her sharp eyes caught the faintest movement. "Stay alert. We're not alone out here."

The group huddled closer to the fire, the crackling flames casting long shadows around them. It was a stark reminder that despite the growing strength they were gaining, danger still lurked in every corner.

By the third day, the terrain had shifted dramatically. The air had grown cooler, and the towering mountains now loomed directly ahead, signaling that Lastgate Village was close. Nestled at the foot of the ancient pass, Lastgate stood like a boundary between the known world and the untamed lands beyond.

The village was small, built from weathered stone with narrow, cobbled streets leading to a central square. The sight of the humble Gatekeeper's Rest, a well-worn inn, was a relief to them. It was a place to rest, gather strength, and prepare for what lay ahead.

"We face the Heaven Tower tomorrow," Shubhu said quietly as they settled in for the night. His voice was steady, but there was an unspoken determination in his gaze. The trials of the Celestial Descent awaited them. And whatever challenge the tower presented, they would face it together.

The Heaven Gate

The next morning broke clear and bright, the crisp air sharp against their skin as they made their way toward the looming structure on the outskirts of the village. The Celestial Descent: Vault of the Heaven Gate towered before them, a massive stone archway covered in divine runes that seemed to pulse with an ethereal light. It was said to be the threshold between the mortal world and the heavens themselves.

Kavi, his newly forged sword in hand, looked to Shubhu. "Are you ready for this?"

Shubhu nodded. "This is where we gain the power to protect our future."

The gate stood before them, an ancient archway etched with glowing celestial symbols. It felt as though the very air around them hummed with energy, and they could sense the presence of something ancient and powerful lying just beyond the threshold. The air was thick with the scent of incense, the whispers of divine secrets.

"Remember," Shubhu said, looking at each of them in turn, "this trial will test everything we are—our courage, our unity, and our strength. Only through this can we gain the power we need."

With those final words, they stepped forward together, crossing the threshold into the dungeon.

The inside of the Vault of the Heaven Gate was vast and awe-inspiring, a labyrinth of towering stone halls adorned with intricate carvings of gods and celestial beings. The air grew heavy as they descended deeper, and they could feel the weight of the divine trials ahead. The path before them was not empty; they were not alone.

They encountered their first challenge quickly: celestial guardians—beings of light and shadow that tested their strength and wits. Each battle they fought brought them closer to unlocking their hidden potential. As they defeated the monsters within the dungeon, a strange power began to stir within them.

Kavi could feel the earth itself pulsing beneath his feet, his metal-bending abilities intensifying with every strike. Tara's eyes glowed brighter, her agility and speed growing in ways she had never imagined. Shubhu, always the steady heart of the group, found his resolve hardening, his connection to the divine deepening with every step.

The deeper they went, the stronger they became. Each victory unlocked more of the divine power that the dungeon promised. But they also felt the tension rise. There was something more at stake here than just their survival. The trials ahead were not mere tests—they were the gateway to something far greater.

And as they approached the final chamber, where the greatest trial awaited them, they knew one thing for sure: this was not just a test of their strength, but of their very souls.

The time had come to face the divine powers that lay hidden behind the Heaven Gate, and to claim the strength they would need to survive the dark days ahead.