Leon lay in bed after getting back to the inn. But a persistent thought kept him from peaceful sleep. That was to join Scarlet Hayes at the temple by daybreak.
Meanwhile, at midnight, Leon sat up abruptly, unmoving. The red screen illuminated his emotionless face. It displayed:
[... The Witching Potion has been neutralised.]
***
At the forefront of the Oracle's Tomb, 8a.m...
The temple's massive structure loomed before Leon and Scarlet.
Scarlet's teeth pressed into her lip, her fingers tightening around the layout drawing. To most, it was just an old temple, its façade adorned with sacred symbols and statues of gods. But for her, it was a testament to her past failure.
But in the end, she walked over the weathered stairway to the entrance. And both of them passed between the statues that flanked the doorway... at the same time.
The earthy scent of aged stone welcomed them.
She strode towards the distant altars without hesitation. Leon followed her every step, his watchful eyes missing nothing.
Shortly, they halted before the pedestals. Leon creased his brows at the sight of the three statues on them.
'Three gods...?' he thought.
Before him were three statues... one of a muscular man with a hammer. Undoubtedly Thor, the god of Thunder. The middle one was Odin, a one-eyed spearman with a long beard. Lastly, there was the god of trickery, a slender figure wearing a horned helmet and displaying a mischievous smirk—Loki.
Leon quirked his brows. Why were these gods sculpted here? There must be a profound reason...
In that defining second, Scarlet turned to him with a gentle smile.
For now, Leon masked his true expression, giving her the emotionless look she expected.
Scarlet bowed to him without warning and said:
"Your sanity is still imprisoned by the Witching Potion laced with your wine last night. Regardless, I hope you can somehow feel the weight of my apologetic words..."
Leon breathed with a quiver, though without making a sound. Did she think a godforsaken apology was enough?
"... I'm desperate," her voice shifted to a slight monotone.
Leon's eyes lit up a little. But in the next second, he clenched his fist. 'She's just like them... Damn it! I trust people too easily... And I should have learnt my lesson earlier!'
Scarlet spoke in a soft tone.
"I have no idea about who you are, but I'll forever remember you as the man that led me to the face of my goal. I chose you because, for a reason, you're the only one I could trust. Thank you! And... above all, I'm sorry."
Leon ground his jaw. 'Activate Instinctive Read!'
Straight away, the blue panel materialised before Scarlet.
[Using Instinctive Read.]
[Name: Scarlet Hayes.
Rank: Executioner
Age: 19
Strength: 583.5
Agility: 597.6
Intelligence: 614.0
Stamina: 665.5
Constellation: Access denied.]
Leon swallowed. Still, he maintained a neutral expression. 'The attribute can't access her Constellation... eh? She's more of a strange lady than a delusional one, then.'
Lifting her gaze at him, she said, "Wait here for a while. Don't worry... I brought you here, so I won't die to make you face the consequences of breaking the Dual Passage Law."
She gave him a firm smile. Then she turned left, running up the upper-level stairs. Leon stared at her; to his surprise, he found himself hoping she came back alive.
His anger for her still remained. But, on one end, he couldn't see another reason to call her a backstabber other than spiking his drink with the potion.
He sighed.
'What an idiot.'
***
Scarlet's chest heaved as she climbed the stairs and rounded corners. Not from exhaustion, but from the fear of what is to come.
Her rushed shoe steps echoed. Her hair whipped around her face as she thought, 'To the sacred room... where Odin's loss is restored.'
---------------
- Potions
They are more than just mystical brews. But black-market commodities for survival and control. While some use them to enhance physical abilities, others could use them as poisons. In the same vein, there are those who use them to enslave minds under their own rules. These kinds of potions are the Witching type.
Potion Brewing - preparing one - requires honed skills and adequate energy. Meanwhile, while the era of these brews aren't tied to any Constellations... one could liken the Ghost Breath Potions to Ursa - poison manipulators.