"My name is Eunice," she introduced herself. "From a minority village in Yunnan, now a Ph.D. candidate in archaeology at Peking University."

Yeh Yao, Alicia, and Nasser introduced themselves in turn. Marcus briefly explained their mission—to gather the five wielders and unite against the Shadow Realm’s threat.

Eunice listened intently, then nodded. "The lake showed me most of this. Hellgates are opening worldwide, and Shadow Creatures are invading."

"Then... will you join us?" Yeh Yao asked, hoping for a yes.

Eunice didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she walked to the lake’s edge and dipped her hand in. Ripples spread, forming images—Hellgates, Shadow Creatures, battles, and finally, five wielders standing together with their weapons.

"The lake shows that only with all five wielders united can this disaster be stopped," she said, determination in her voice. "Of course I’ll join. But before we leave, there’s something I must complete."

"What is it?" Nasser asked curiously.

Eunice pointed to a passage deep in the cavern. "This temple hides something crucial—the 'Book of Prophecy.' It’s said to contain all knowledge about the Weapons of Light and the Shadow Realm, including how to permanently close the Hellgates. I’ve been searching for it, but the temple has traps and guardians—I couldn’t proceed alone."

"Guardians?" Alicia asked warily. "What kind?"

"Ancient sentinels," Eunice explained. "Enchanted statues that attack anyone approaching the book. But with three Weapons of Light, I believe we can break through."

Marcus thought for a moment, then nodded. "The book is vital to our mission. If it truly holds the key to sealing the Hellgates, it’s worth the attempt."

Decision made, the five prepared to venture deeper. Eunice led them along stone paths by the lake to a passage leading inward. Flanking the entrance were two massive statues—lion-like but winged, standing motionless as sentries.

"These are the guardians," Eunice whispered. "Once we enter, they’ll activate and attack."

"Any strategy?" Yeh Yao asked, ready to summon his sword.

Eunice nodded. "I’ll use the bow to draw their attention. Yeh Yao and Nasser can attack at close range. Marcus and Alicia, focus on retrieving the book."

With the plan set, the three wielders summoned their weapons. Yeh Yao’s Sword of Light gleamed silver-white, Nasser’s Hammer of Light pulsed with golden energy, and Eunice’s Bow of Light shimmered green. The three glows intertwined, illuminating the cavern.

"Ready?" Eunice asked, drawing back the bowstring—a pure energy arrow forming.

Yeh Yao and Nasser nodded, gripping their weapons tightly.

"Then move!" Eunice released the arrow.

It struck the left statue’s head with blinding speed. The statue roared to life, eyes glowing red. The right statue also awakened, and both guardians lunged at the intruders.

Yeh Yao and Nasser engaged one each while Eunice provided ranged support. Marcus and Alicia slipped past, rushing down the passage.

The battle was fierce. Though made of stone, the guardians were agile and powerful. Yeh Yao’s sword could cut stone, but their hides had some magical resistance. Nasser’s hammer was more effective, each blow chipping away at them.

Eunice’s arrows struck weak points—eyes and joints—with precision. The three fought in perfect sync, gradually gaining the upper hand.

Meanwhile, Marcus and Alicia hurried through the passage, walls adorned with murals depicting the Weapons of Light’s origins.

"Look!" Alicia suddenly pointed at one mural. "Is that a Hellgate?"

Marcus stopped to examine it. The mural showed a massive vortex surrounded by five figures wielding glowing weapons.

"Yes, this records the last Hellgate crisis," he confirmed. "Five hundred years ago."

They pressed on, finally reaching a circular stone chamber. At its center stood a pedestal holding an ancient book, emitting a faint glow.

"That’s the Book of Prophecy," Marcus whispered, cautiously approaching.

Just as he was about to touch it, the chamber trembled violently. The ground split open, and a massive stone construct rose—a larger, more powerful guardian, shaped like a dragon.

"Get back!" Marcus shoved Alicia behind him, drawing his specialized weapon.

The stone dragon roared and attacked. Marcus’s weapon seemed ineffective. In desperation, Alicia noticed a groove on the dragon’s chest—its shape eerily similar to the Weapons of Light’s runes.

"Marcus, that groove!" she pointed. "I think it’s a keyhole!"

Marcus understood immediately. "We need a Weapon of Light!"

He shouted, hoping the others would hear. Fortunately, Yeh Yao, Nasser, and Eunice had just defeated their guardians and rushed to help.

"That groove needs the weapons’ energy!" Marcus directed.

The three wielders acted instantly. Eunice fired an energy arrow into the groove; Yeh Yao and Nasser channeled their weapons’ power. The three energies merged, forming a complex pattern that perfectly filled the groove.

The stone dragon halted, slowly retreating underground. The Book of Prophecy on the pedestal began to glow, as if inviting them closer.

Eunice carefully picked it up and opened the first page. The text inside seemed to shift languages based on the reader—now displaying modern Chinese.

"It’s really the Book of Prophecy," she marveled. "It contains all knowledge about the Weapons of Light, the Shadow Realm, and the Hellgates."

She skimmed a few pages, then looked up gravely. "According to this, the Hellgate crisis isn’t natural—someone from the future is deliberately causing it, trying to alter history."

"From the future?" Yeh Yao repeated, stunned. "How?"

"Time isn’t as linear as we think," Eunice explained, reading on. "Under certain conditions, it can bend, allowing matter or energy to cross between points. This being is injecting Shadow energy into our present to open the Hellgates."

"But why?" Nasser asked, baffled. "Why would anyone do this?"

Eunice turned a page. "The book says this being aims to create a new species—a hybrid of humans and Shadow Creatures—to save humanity from extinction in the future."

"Saving humanity by unleashing monsters? That makes no sense," Alicia commented.

"In his logic, it does," Eunice continued. "Future humans face some catastrophe—environmental collapse or disease—driving them to extinction. He believes only by merging with Shadow genes can humanity survive in some form."

"A twisted savior complex," Marcus remarked. "He thinks he’s saving humanity, even if it means sacrificing billions now."

"Does the book say how to stop him?" Yeh Yao asked—the most crucial question.

Eunice flipped to the back. "The prophecy states that only when all five Weapons of Light are united, and their wielders share a true bond, can they generate enough power to close all Hellgates and stop this being."

"We’ve found three," Nasser said. "Still need the Staff of Light and the Gauntlet of Light."

"Does the book mention their locations?" Marcus asked.

Eunice kept reading, then nodded. "There are clues. The Staff’s wielder may be in England, the Gauntlet’s in Russia."

"Then our next stop is England," Marcus decided. "To find the Staff’s wielder."

Eunice closed the book, carefully storing it in her backpack. "I’ll bring this—it’s vital to our mission."

The five left the temple. By the time they surfaced, dusk was falling. Danzeng waited faithfully at the entrance, relieved to see them return safely.

"Find what you were looking for?" he asked curiously.

Marcus nodded. "Yes, thank you for your help."

On the way back to Shangri-La, Eunice shared how she’d found the Bow of Light. Three months ago, during an archaeological dig, she’d discovered an ancient chamber with murals about the weapons. As she studied them, a landslide struck, trapping her. At the brink of death, the bow had emerged from the mural, choosing her as its wielder and giving her the strength to rescue herself and others.

"Since then, I’ve researched the weapons’ history," she said. "I came to Moonlight Valley seeking more knowledge—never expecting to meet you here."

"Fate’s design," Nasser said cheerfully. "We’re meant to face this together."

Back in Shangri-La, they prepared for England immediately. Eunice needed time to organize her research and belongings but promised to be ready in two days.

That night, Yeh Yao stood again on the inn’s balcony, gazing at the stars. He felt the team growing stronger with each new member, each bringing unique skills and perspectives. Eunice’s arrival, especially the discovery of the Book of Prophecy, had given them clearer direction and deeper understanding.

"Thinking again?" Alicia’s voice came from behind—their nightly ritual under the stars.

"About our journey," Yeh Yao replied. "From Malaysia to Hawaii, then Yunnan, next England and Russia. In just weeks, we’ve crossed half the globe."

Alicia stood beside him, also looking at the stars. "That’s what adventure is, isn’t it? Going to unknown places, meeting different people, facing challenges together."

Yeh Yao smiled. "Yes. Dangerous as it is, I have to admit—it’s unforgettable."

"And we’re still together," Alicia said softly. "No matter where we go or what we face, we’re by each other’s side. That’s what matters most."

Yeh Yao turned to her. Moonlight made Alicia especially beautiful. He suddenly realized that no matter how this journey ended, having her alongside him was the greatest fortune of all.

"Yes," he whispered. "That’s what matters most."

The two stood quietly on the balcony, savoring this fleeting moment of peace, knowing tomorrow would bring new travels and new challenges. But here, now, under the stars of distant Shangri-La, everything felt perfect.