The passageways of the temple grew narrower as Morgana, Kirin, and Lyana followed the mysterious man through the cold, dimly lit corridors. The air felt heavier with each step, thick with the weight of forgotten history. Morgana couldn't shake the feeling that they were descending deeper into something far older than any of them understood. Even the temple, once a sanctuary, now felt more like a tomb.
Lyana's voice cut through the silence. "Are we still in the temple, or have we crossed into another realm?"
The man didn't turn, his steps purposeful, as though he'd walked this path a thousand times before. "The temple is merely a gateway. Where we go, few have ever ventured—and even fewer have returned."
Kirin's eyes narrowed. "Comforting."
Morgana glanced at Kirin. His tension was palpable, but she couldn't blame him. Everything about this felt wrong, yet the alternative—remaining ignorant of the forces at play—felt like a far greater danger.
