Chapter 55: A Sinister Sanctuary

The ancient temple's silence was oppressive, broken only by the soft sound of their labored breathing. Luke could still feel the cold, even though the shadow outside was no longer creeping directly toward them. The air inside the temple was thick with the weight of centuries, as if the walls themselves were watching them.

Ava stood near the door, her hand still gripping the hilt of her sword tightly. She wasn't lowering her guard, and neither was Luke, even as he scanned the room for anything that might give them a clue about their surroundings.

"This place…" Raven muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. She was still sitting on the floor, legs curled beneath her as if her body was struggling to recover from the harrowing escape. "It feels… wrong. Like it's alive."