"It's weird how quiet this place is. Generally, the monsters do not think twice before attacking us" The sultan commented and Iris found the situation weird as well.
They had crossed into the deepest circle of Oreta a while back and had prepared themselves for an attack at any time. The sun was setting as well which made the situation dangerous in all regards.
But there was no sign of monsters here at all. It was a contradiction to everything they knew.
"I'm more surprised to see such a place right in the middle of Oreta. Do you understand how big a marvel this is? Lady Maria, you surely get me right?" Lady Hua's voice was full of surprised wonder.
The inner architect in her must be marveling at this place and its construction.
"Of course this place is magnificent. The court of Isis was known for its advancements after all. Healing might be their main forte but there was more to them than mere healing" Orpheus did not sound surprised to see this place at all.
She was the only one who seemed relaxed enough to joke around and even skip at some points during their walk.
Such carefreeness did not bode well with Iris but there was nothing she could do about it at this point as well. She had no proof that Orpheus had some secret scheme in mind at all.
"Well, I can see the temple now so we should hurry up. Just because the monsters had decided not to come out, for now, did not mean that they would stay away forever" The sultan made a fair point.
The party hurried toward the entrance of the temple. The sun was out of the sky now.
"Rhea, if you would be kind enough to do the honors" Iris extended her arm toward the sultan to bind. The chains were linked and Iris felt her senses dull even further.
"Wow, what a strong aura of divinity here. Does this chain help? Can I try it as well?" Orpheus, not one to be outdone, turned toward the sultan as well.
Rhea looked taken aback but she did not complain about Orpheus and her ways. She chained up her arm with an awkward smile but the sultan did not look happy.
Lady Hua looked like she wanted to say something but Sasha prevented this disaster from happening.
It was an awkward silence all around the group after that.
"Let's just go in. We are bruning precious time by standing here" Iris was the one who finally broke the stalemate. The silence was too much for her liking and the feeling of awkwardness did not help out her nerves either.
"Lead the way then. You are the only one who can anyway" Orpheus teased and Iris just sighed at the behavior.
She genuinely felt like Orpheus behaved like this on purpose. But Iris could not figure out why. Maybe because of habit or trauma.
Iris led the group down a familiar pathway and they stopped in front of the stairway again.
"I think Sasha and the sultan should stay here. It can be quite draining to move down there" Iris was sure she and Lady Hua would be alright. However, Orpheus was still a wild card she was not sure about.
Not to mention, her system was still out of commission for the time being. Iris was here on a handi-cap.
"I'll try coming as far as I can. Here, give this jewel to me for safekeeping" Orpheus made a grasp for the hold jade but Iris held it tighter. She did not trust Orpheus to behave herself with the jade.
"Let's move now. Take care Sasha and I'll be back soon" Lady Hua seemed to be overwhelmed from being in the ancient ruins. She had no chain the effect this place had on her was likely much more than Iris and Orpheus.
Iris felt bad for her but she was not about to go out of her way for Lady Hua as well. She would have to man up and ask herself if she wanted a chain to contain her senses as well.
Luckily for Lady Hua, the sultan was much more observant.
"Here. You take one as well. Be careful down there" the sultan handed a small silver chain to Lady Hua and Iris watched in amusement as the female flashed a bright pink at that.
There was a certain shyness in Lady Hua's steps that indicated a crush and Iris felt a grin stretch across her face.
Looks like someone had a crush on the sultan here.
"You alright? You are rather red in the face Lady Hua?" the color spread even further if possible. Lady Hua looked as red as a tomato. Orpheus let out a laugh at the reaction her words caused.
"I-It's not that. Sultan Rhea is lovely and all but she's not the 'one' for me. It just feels weird to match you in accessories like this is all" the lady tried to refute and Iris felt bad for the female.
She was trying hard to hide her crush.
"Alright Orpheus, let the topic drop. Also, are you feeling alright?" Iris asked the female who looked no worse for wear.
"I'm more than 100% ok right now. This place has so much divinity and untapped magic here. I'm surprised that it survived as long as it had" Orpheus did sound to be in awe. Iris felt surprised at that.
Wasn't Orpheus from the upper realm? She had told Iris that she was a demi-god. Surely this divinity here was not that much?
"Is it that much? Isn't your court the same?" Lady Hua, bless her curious soul, asked and saved Iris the trouble of asking.
"Don't know. Never been to the home base for my court. Oh, is that the city? How beautiful" Iris looked down at the display as well.
The sight of the drainage system jumped right at her but even she knew that the whole display was beautiful.
Lady Hua's gasp of surprise and delight told Iris a lot as well.
"You can stare it all later. We have work to do now and the time is getting away. The full moon would be here any second now" Iris regretted breaking this moment but she needed these people to focus.
People were counting on their successful return and the whole world had an eve on this.
Iris felt as if this one moment was about to change the whole story of this world and it made her feel weirdly proud.
"The moon, huh. It's all so beautiful that it fills me with regret. If only things were different and I was not a part of this court business. But I am and so are you so let's get it done now" Orpheus was a storm, running ahead of the group.
The room was just as Iris remembered it being and it felt comfortable to her.
"Place the holy jade into the water and step back now. Iris, start pouring your energy into the lines and activate the seal with the spells" Orpheus led the group in the preparation and Iris did as was asked of her.
It only took a few seconds for Iris to notice but something seemed wrong.
The water level in the central pool seemed to be receding. Something was draining the pool and Iris felt herself being locked in her place.
"Finally, this part is done. It is time the goddess of the court makes her appearance. But of the curse, the sacrifice needed for that is prepared as well. Oreta should consider itself lucky" Orpheus sounded regretful but her face was smiling.
And Iris felt rage build up in her.
She had known that Orpheus had been trouble since the start but apparently, she was bigger trouble than Iris had initially thought.