I closed my eyes, holding the sculpture tightly. I focused on the feeling of stone, of the mountain, of the ancient carvings. I tried to reach out with my mind, to communicate with this ancient, static energy.

It was difficult. The energy of the mountain spirits felt dense and unyielding, like trying to push through solid rock.

But I persevered. I remembered the symbol of balance, the circle with the line through it. Balance. Harmony.

Maybe these stone creatures weren’t inherently evil, but simply expressions of the mountain’s raw, untamed power.

I focused on the idea of balance, of integrating rather than opposing. My mind visualized the fused sculpture and the cave temple carvings merging, their energies harmonizing.

As I concentrated, the sculpture in my hand started to pulse with a stronger, more stable light. This light wasn’t just bright, it felt… calming.

I opened my eyes. The stone creatures had stopped their advance. They were still standing there, their forms menacing, but their movements had ceased. They seemed to be observing me, their dark hollows of eyes somehow conveying a sense of ancient curiosity.