The journey to the Nebula was truly magnificent. The group traversed the shadowy depths of the colossal trees, resisting the alluring call of the lush greenery that beckoned from either side of the path. As they advanced, the melodious sounds of a distant waterfall guided their way, announcing their approach. The path beneath their feet was fashioned from an array of unevenly placed stones, providing a rugged charm to their trek.
However, this group displayed a marked difference from its predecessors. Despite the added burden of carrying shooting equipment, they pressed on with fewer breaks, their robust physicality and endurance evident. In a mere two hours, they stood at their destination.
Before them lay the entrance to the temple, flanked by two majestic lion statues, enshrouded by the lush jungle's embrace. The temple's ruins had melded seamlessly with the surrounding forest, creating a mesmerizing fusion of nature and history. For Aria and her companions, the view was undeniably beautiful, but for the first-time adventurers of Viking Ventures, it was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Each member of the team stood in silent wonder, gazing upon the temple's remnants and the cascading waterfall, as if heaven itself had sent it to Earth, only for it to disappear within the temple's ancient confines.
Aria approached Bruce and stood by his side, both of them drawn towards the waterfall's enchanting descent. "Heavenly, isn't it?" she whispered.
Bruce's voice held a reverent tone as he replied, "Absolutely."
Aria smiled, her eyes never leaving the mesmerizing scene. "Then let's venture inside this piece of heaven."
They ventured deeper into the temple's ancient corridors, with the Venture Vikings diligently capturing the essence of each location. First, they explored the labyrinthine passageways, then the lush garden, and finally, the enchanting waterfalls. Meanwhile, Aria and her team had already completed their exploration. Seated inside the temple, they watched as the rain outside intensified. The sound of raindrops against the temple's weathered stones provided a soothing backdrop. With everyone donning their raincoats, they patiently awaited the conclusion of the Viking Ventures' shoot.
As the rain gradually intensified, it posed challenges for the Venture Vikings trying to capture the perfect shots. Inside, Aria frequently checked her watch. It was already noon, and her date with Luffy or Holo was scheduled for 7 PM. She had planned to return to the city by 5 PM, giving her two hours to get ready for the evening.
Only the shooting of the wishing well remained, but the downpour became torrential, forcing the Venture Vikings to seek shelter inside the temple corridor, where Aria and her friends were already stationed.
Bruce, looking out at the pouring rain, asked, "Does it rain like this often?"
Aria nodded with a knowing smile. "It's Meru. Rain is a common occurrence here."
While they waited, Kai reached inside his pocket, retrieving a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. "Anyone want a smoke?" he offered, placing a cigarette between his lips.
Todd and Lucy were quick to accept the offer and joined Kai in the other end of the corridor.
With a hint of curiosity, Bruce turned to Aria and her friends. "You guys are the locals here. Why don't you share some legends about this place?"
Cherry leaned in, intrigued. "Have you heard of the Dwars of Agartha?"
Bruce furrowed his brow in thought. "I think I've come across it. Is it about gateways to the city of the gods?"
Cherry nodded. "Exactly. 'Dwars' in Sanskrit means doorways or gates, and 'Agartha' is the name of the city of the gods. It's believed that there are numerous gateways scattered throughout the world that lead to Agartha, but finding them is nearly impossible. Even if you stumble upon one, you can't pass through without the assistance of a fairy..." She continued, weaving the legend into the atmosphere of the ancient temple.
After some time, Kai, Todd, and Lucy finished their cigarettes and conversation. Soon, Todd and Lucy made their way back to the part of the corridor where the rest of the group had gathered. However, before departing, Lucy turned to Kai and inquired, "Aren't you coming?"
Kai, still taking a final draw from his nearly spent cigarette, paused and exhaled a stream of smoke before responding, "You go ahead. I'm going to have one more."
Lucy gave him a concerned look and offered, "You really should consider smoking less, you know."
Kai didn't offer a verbal response. He stood by one of the temple's doorways leading to the garden, lighting up another cigarette, and stared out at the torrential rain pelting the unattended garden. Lucy, disappointed by his lack of reply, left to rejoin the group.
Kai savored the solitude, taking slow draws from his cigarette and exhaling them leisurely. He watched the raindrops splatter on the ground and various objects in the open, creating a soothing symphony of sounds. In that moment, his world consisted solely of the nature before him and the music of the raindrops.
It was during this contemplative moment that he noticed an unusual sight near the wishing well. An outline emerged in the rain, resembling a bird, roughly the size of a parrot. The bird-like figure moved gracefully, almost as if it were composed of water, flying in the vicinity of the well. As he continued to watch, more of these mysterious, fluid-like forms appeared in the area. Kai was so mesmerized by the spectacle that he forgot to take any more sips from his cigarette.