Whispers in the Dark

The air within the temple grows colder as Ashura and the little girl delve deeper into its forgotten halls. The stone walls are etched with strange runes, almost alive with a faint glow, as if they are watching them. The girl's innocent chatter fades to silence as an ominous presence envelops the space. They reach the heart of the temple, where a shattered altar sits beneath a massive mural depicting a brutal battle between gods and men.

Ashura's vision blurs as he touches the mural, triggering another memory. This time, it's more vivid than the last—a battlefield drenched in blood, where his father, once a proud warrior, is seen kneeling before the Blood King, swearing fealty. Ashura can hear his father's voice, filled with desperation, as he makes the cursed pact to save his family at the cost of their freedom.

Suddenly, the quiet is broken by a sinister voice echoing through the temple. A figure emerges from the shadows: a twisted, masked priest of the Blood King. His body is malformed, corrupted by the curse, his flesh seeming to rot and regenerate. He recognizes Ashura immediately, calling him "the son of betrayal" and taunting him for the bloodline's fall.

Ashura and the priest clash, the battle brutal and intense. The priest's cursed abilities allow him to warp the environment, creating illusions of past horrors. Ashura struggles to hold his ground, nearly succumbing to the illusions when the little girl calls out, her voice snapping him back to reality. He fights back with renewed strength, finally striking the priest down.

With the priest's blood staining his blade, Ashura regains another piece of his past—this time, the memory of his twin brother, Shura. In the memory, Shura is seen making his own dark choices, taking a path that Ashura doesn't fully understand yet, but it fills him with a sense of foreboding. Ashura wonders if his brother is lost to the curse too.

The little girl, sensing his unease, offers him comfort, but Ashura is torn. He knows the temple holds more secrets, and they must press on if they are to find the source of the curse

During the night, while Ashura stands guard, the little girl sleepwalks into the forest. When Ashura follows her, he witnesses a strange ritual—glimpses of her connection to the curse become apparent. Her innocence conceals a darker purpose, though she remains unaware of her role. Ashura begins to doubt if he can truly protect her.