Chapter 57: Temple First Room

Chapter 57: Temple First Room

Zeth is being watched by a mysterious woman who claims to be his sister. Just who exactly is she?

The heroes have gone inside the temple but Zaydra continues to stand on the hill just looking down at it and talking to herself.

“I hope you are ready, Zeth, my younger brother. If you are not, then it’s not your fault. Mother and I are at fault. We left you with an adoptive family for all 18 years of your life so far…. But we had no choice at the time. Your life was in danger and we had to hide you… Damn Dark Goddess.”

In frustration, Zaydra walks over to a nearby tree and punches it with enough power that the tree is completely blown to pieces, leaving nothing of it left except the bottom of the trunk.

“All I can do now is hope you are capable.”

***

Inside the temple.

The heroes find themselves in the first room which is the largest room of the temple. It is the room where the common folk worship the Light Goddess. A statue of her stands at the back end of the room with an altar in front of it that has four different-colored stones. Chairs aligned perfectly in columns face the statue.

The heroes have a look around, not approaching anything in particular.

Kurt glances around, curiosity rising. “Outside the temple, the whole area looks like ancient ruins, but in here it looks like it has not really aged at all.”

“Perhaps because this place is sacred, it is maintained by Harmona herself,” Emily replies, also impressed by the pristine appearance of the temple’s interior.

Zeth walks up to a door with a plaque on the wall next to it. “Look, I found something written on the wall here next to a door. It says ‘If ye are a person of importance, then ye will be able to simply open the door and continue. But if ye have a destined meeting with the Light Goddess, ye must take the four Divine Stones on the altar of the Light Goddess statue before going’. Well, that is simple.”

“I will grab them real quick,” Kurt says, walking up to the altar in front of the statue.

Kurt tries to pick up the Divine Stones, colored red, blue, green, and yellow, but an invisible force keeps him from touching them and pushes him back.

“What just happened?” Sasha asks, completely confused.

Kurt frowns, trying to comprehend it. “I… I don’t know. It felt like a divine force just kept me from even touching it.”

Zeth walks over to the altar as he says, “I’m probably the destined one the text was referring to then. The guardian of the altar must have mentioned us to Harmona, though I don’t know why I specifically would be the destined one.”

He reaches for one of the stones, feeling no resistance, he picks one up with ease.

“I guess I was right. I just hope this does not prevent you guys from coming along.”

Suddenly, he hears a woman’s voice in his mind.

“Don’t worry, as long as they are not allied with the Dark Goddess, they can come with you.”

Zeth stares at the stone, perplexed. “The stones talk?”

“No, you will come to understand soon,” the voice replies.

Zeth rubs the back of his neck. “Well, that was weird.”

“Who are you talking to?” Emily asks.

“I heard a woman’s voice in my head.”

“Really?” Joe asks.

“Yes, she said as long as you do not ally yourself with the Dark Goddess, you will be allowed to come.”

“I see, well, let’s go through the door,” Kurt suggests.

Zeth takes the remaining stones and gathers with everyone at the door. With confidence, he opens the door and walks in first, the other four following behind. Inside, they walk through a small hallway with glowing lights and come across a statue of a female angel, blocking the path forward.

“What could this be for…?” Sasha wonders.

The statue begins speaking, taking the heroes by surprise. “Welcome, destined one.”

“It talks!” Joe shouts.

“It’s not the voice I heard while holding a stone,” Zeth notes.

The statue continues speaking. “From this point onward, sacred energies will be throughout the temple. These energies will test you and everything may not be as it appears. Those who are not divine and sacred will not make it through easily. Are you ready to continue?”

Zeth nods. “Yes, I’m ready.”

“Very well, continue destined one,” the statue as it begins slides out of the way into an opening in the wall.

The heroes continue in through another open door. After they pass, the statue slides back into place.

The heroes continue farther into the temple! What challenges await as they make their way through it?!

Chapter 57 END

To be Continued in Chapter 58: Hints of the Past Begin