Chapter 23: The Forsaken Temple
The journey to the ruins of the last temple began at dawn. The group moved swiftly, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on them like an invisible force. Tara led the way, her thoughts a storm of doubt and determination. Beside her, Emrick and Kael remained silent, their eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger.
The temple lay deep within the Forgotten Hollow, a place long abandoned even before the gods had fallen. Stories spoke of ancient powers buried beneath its stone floors—powers that predated even the deities Tara had vanquished.
As they approached the temple, the air grew colder. The once-grand structure stood in ruins, its walls cracked and overtaken by creeping vines. An eerie stillness blanketed the area, as if the world itself held its breath.
"This place feels… wrong," Kael muttered, his hand resting on the hilt of his dagger.
Tara nodded. "Stay alert. Whatever was kept here, the gods wanted it hidden."
Emrick stepped forward, pushing open the massive stone doors with a grunt. The hinges groaned in protest, revealing a vast chamber beyond. Dust swirled in the air, disturbed for the first time in centuries.
Torches flickered to life along the walls, as if sensing their presence. The room was lined with ancient carvings, depicting scenes of war, destruction, and something else—something darker. At the center of the chamber lay a massive altar, its surface marred with strange symbols.
Tara approached cautiously, running her fingers over the engravings. "These aren't like the gods' markings," she said. "This is something else."
Kael's voice was tight. "Look at this."
He pointed to a mural near the altar. It showed a figure bound in chains of light, its form shifting between monstrous and humanoid. The gods surrounded it, their faces grim, their weapons drawn.
"They weren't just wardens," Emrick said slowly. "They were jailers."
Tara's stomach twisted. "And we destroyed the prison."
A low rumble echoed through the temple, the ground vibrating beneath their feet. The torches flickered wildly before extinguishing all at once, plunging the chamber into darkness.
Then, from the shadows, a voice whispered—low, guttural, and filled with something ancient.
"You are too late."
A chilling wind swept through the room, and the darkness deepened. Something had awakened.
And it was watching them.