Chapter 5: The Forbidden Temple
Morning came too soon. The golden rays of the sun spilled into Aria's room, but they did little to chase away the unease from the night before. The mark on her palm was still there—glowing faintly under the morning light, as if reminding her of what she had to do.
Leo sat at the edge of her bed, watching her wrap her hand in a cloth. "Are you sure about this?" he asked.
"No," Aria admitted. "But I need answers."
The Temple of the Moon Goddess lay deep within the forest, abandoned for decades. The village elders warned children never to go near it. They spoke of spirits, curses, and whispers in the dark.
But Aria had already heard those whispers. And now, they were calling her there.
Without another word, she and Leo slipped out of the house and into the village streets. Eldoria was waking up—shopkeepers setting up stalls, children chasing each other barefoot, women carrying baskets of fresh bread. It was a normal day for everyone else.
But not for them.
They reached the edge of the village, where the forest began. The trees stood tall and ancient, their twisted branches casting long shadows on the dirt path.
Leo hesitated. "Last chance to turn back."
Aria took a deep breath. "I can't."
With that, she stepped forward, and Leo followed.
The deeper they went, the quieter the forest became. The birds stopped singing. The wind held its breath. The only sound was the crunch of their footsteps on the leaf-covered ground.
Then, after what felt like hours, the temple appeared.
It was massive, built from black stone, its walls covered in faded carvings of the moon and stars. Vines had crept over its surface, nature slowly reclaiming what had been abandoned. The entrance stood open, dark and silent, as if waiting for them.
A shiver ran down Aria's spine.
As they stepped closer, a cold gust of wind rushed past them—carrying a whisper.
"You have come at last."
Leo gasped. "Did you hear that?"
Aria nodded, her pulse quickening.
She wasn't imagining things.
Someone—or something—was waiting for her inside.