Aden ducked just in time.
A sharp gust of wind sliced through the air where his head had been, the force alone enough to make his ears ring. He didn't need to see it to know—the hooded man hadn't used a weapon. That was just his hand.
He rolled to the side, barely avoiding another strike.
Fast. Too fast.
Aden didn't even get a moment to think before the next attack came.
His knife was in his hand in an instant. He lashed out—not to hit, just to create distance. The blade cut through air. The hooded figure stepped back, untouched, as if he'd already known where Aden would strike.
This wasn't a fight.
It was a lesson.
And Aden was the one being taught.
His opponent's stance didn't change. The shadows behind him still whispered, still repeated that same, unrelenting question.
What is your name?
Aden's pulse pounded in his ears.
There's a trick to this.
Everything in the temple had been a test. The trials weren't just about strength—they were about understanding. A wrong answer didn't just get you hurt. It got you removed.
And this? This wasn't just a fight.
It was a demand.
Aden exhaled sharply. If his first answer got him attacked, then it meant he had two options left.
One—run.
Not happening. The corridor was too narrow, and this bastard was faster than him.
Two—give an answer.
But which answer?
The truth?
Or a lie?
Aden shifted his grip on his knife. His body ached from dodging, and he knew he wouldn't last much longer at this pace.
Then, just as the hooded figure moved again, he made his choice.
"I don't have one."
The figure froze mid-step.
For the first time since this encounter began, the whispering stopped. The shadows that had stretched and coiled like living things… stilled.
Then, a chuckle.
Low, quiet, but undeniably amused.
The hooded man straightened, lowering his hand.
"You are either very wise," he murmured, "or very foolish."
Aden swallowed. He hadn't expected that to work.
He braced himself, ready to move if this was just a trick, but the man made no further move to attack.
"You are correct," the man continued, "that names carry weight."
Slowly, the figure stepped aside.
"The temple does not recognize what does not exist."
Aden hesitated. "That's it?"
The hooded figure didn't answer. Instead, he simply faded.
Not into the darkness.
Not into the walls.
He just… ceased.
Aden exhaled, tension leaving his body all at once. He didn't know if he'd won or just survived, but either way, he was still standing.
And in the temple, that was enough.
For now.