Maps and Patterns

By the time she reached her building, Selene had made up her mind. She unlocked her door, set her bag down, and headed straight to her desk. The article and photograph were still there, waiting for her. Without hesitating, she opened her laptop and resumed her search.

The hours stretched on as Selene delved deeper into the temple's origins. She found obscure references in academic papers, snippets of myths that hinted at a forgotten deity, and even a local legend about a site believed to be cursed. Her desk became a maze of notes and printouts, the pieces of a puzzle she was determined to solve.

Finally, she stumbled upon a name: The Temple of Althea. The mention was brief—just a footnote in a decades-old journal—but it sent a thrill through her. Althea, the goddess of renewal and hidden truths. The temple had been thought lost to time, its exact location forgotten. Yet here it was, appearing in a grainy photograph handed to her by a student.

Selene leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. If the temple really was connected to Althea, it could be a groundbreaking discovery—one that might rewrite parts of history. But why was there so little information? Why had no one explored it?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft chime of her phone. She glanced at the screen and saw a new email notification. It was from Mia.

Subject: Did you find anything?

Body: Sorry to bother you so late, but I couldn't stop thinking about that temple. Let me know if you've found anything—I'd love to help if I can!

Selene smiled at Mia's enthusiasm. She quickly typed a reply.

Subject: Re: Did you find anything?

Body: You're not bothering me at all! I've uncovered a possible connection to the goddess Althea, but it's still early. I'll keep you updated—and if you're serious about helping, I might take you up on that offer.

As she hit send, Selene felt a spark of excitement she hadn't felt in years. 

************************************************

The next morning, Selene awoke with her mind already spinning, her dreams a hazy swirl of ancient carvings and forgotten deities. The promise of discovery lingered like an electric current, propelling her out of bed faster than usual. After a quick breakfast and a strong cup of coffee, she settled at her desk again, intent on continuing her research.

Her email pinged with a reply from Mia.

Subject: Re: Did you find anything?

Body: That's incredible, Dr. Laurent! I'd love to help however I can. Maybe we could meet to discuss it? I've been doing some reading on Althea and found a few old myths that might connect to the temple. Let me know when you're free!

Selene tapped her chin thoughtfully. Mia's enthusiasm was infectious, and it reminded her of herself when she'd first fallen in love with archaeology. Perhaps bringing Mia in would be useful—and besides, she could use a second pair of eyes on this.

She quickly typed a response.

Subject: Let's meet

Body: How about tomorrow afternoon? We can meet in my office. Bring anything you've found—I'm curious to see what you've uncovered.

Satisfied, Selene turned her attention back to the journal that had mentioned the temple. The article described Althea as a lesser-known goddess, often overshadowed by Athena and Artemis, but revered by small cults for her role as a keeper of secrets and renewal. The journal's author speculated that temples dedicated to Althea were intentionally hidden, their locations guarded to protect the sacred mysteries they held.

The more Selene read, the more convinced she became that this temple was the real thing. But if it was, why hadn't anyone in the archaeological community investigated it?

She was so absorbed in her work that she almost didn't hear the knock at her door.

"Come in," she called, not looking up from her notes.

The door creaked open, and Ivy's voice rang out. "Selene, are you seriously working on a Saturday?"

Selene looked up to see Ivy leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed and an amused grin on her face.

"Ivy," Selene sighed, sitting back in her chair. "What are you doing here?"

"I was in the area," Ivy replied, stepping inside and glancing at the cluttered desk. "Looks like you've been busy. What's all this?"

Selene hesitated. Ivy was one of her closest friends, but she wasn't sure how much she wanted to share just yet. "It's… research. A student brought me something interesting, and I'm following up on it."

Ivy raised an eyebrow. "That vague answer tells me it's something big. Come on, spill. What's got you so worked up?"

Selene sighed, knowing Ivy wouldn't let it go. "Fine. It's a temple—possibly linked to the goddess Althea. There's barely any information on it, but if it's real, it could be a significant find."

Ivy's eyes lit up. "A lost temple? That's amazing! Are you planning to go check it out?"

Selene blinked. "What? No, I'm just researching for now. I don't even know where it's located."

"But you're going to find out, right?" Ivy pressed.

Selene hesitated again. The idea had crossed her mind, but the logistics of mounting an expedition were daunting. Funding, permissions, assembling a team—it wasn't something she could just decide on a whim.

"I don't know, Ivy," she admitted. "It's not that simple."

"Nothing worth doing ever is," Ivy said with a shrug. "But if anyone can figure it out, it's you."

Selene smiled, appreciating her friend's confidence. "Thanks, Ivy. I'll let you know if it goes anywhere."

"You'd better," Ivy said, grinning as she headed for the door. "And don't forget to take breaks, okay? Even brilliant historians need to eat."

As the door closed behind Ivy, Selene turned back to her desk. Her friend's words lingered in her mind, sparking a flicker of determination.

Maybe Ivy was right. Maybe she could figure it out.

Selene pulled out a map of the region and began marking potential sites, cross-referencing her notes with the sparse information available. By the time she finished, a pattern had begun to emerge—a faint trail leading to a remote area that matched the temple's surroundings.

Her heart raced as she stared at the map.

Selene leaned back in her chair, staring at the map as possibilities swirled in her mind. The remote location she had pinpointed was in the mountainous region of Arcadia, a place shrouded in mystery and often ignored by mainstream archaeology due to its dense forests and treacherous terrain. If the temple was there, it explained why it had remained hidden for so long.

She glanced at the time—well past midnight. Exhaustion tugged at her, but the thrill of discovery kept her awake. Finally, she sighed, rolled up the map, and slipped it into her bag. This was a problem for tomorrow.