Kevin. His heart pounded, and his breathing was heavy. The old man's words kept echoing in his mind: Cassie will be lost forever. He couldn't let that happen. Cassie, his sister who had always protected him, couldn't be allowed to drown in this darkness. With the remaining courage he had, he steeled himself and approached the grand temple gate.
As he got closer, the gate creaked open slowly, emitting a sound that made his skin crawl. Beyond the gate, pitch darkness awaited him. Without hesitation, Kevin stepped inside. The air inside the temple felt heavier, as if every breath he took added more weight to his shoulders.
The old man didn't follow him. Kevin turned around and saw him standing still outside, as if waiting for something. "Aren't you coming?"
The old man shook his head slowly. "This is your trial, Kevin. I am merely a guide. The rest is up to you."
