Are you going?

Sunlight streamed through her window as Selene poured over her research. She was gathering as much evidence as she could to justify the next step. The excavation would require funding, approval, and resources—not to mention a team she could trust.

By the time Mia arrived for their meeting, Selene was armed with notes, maps, and a growing list of questions.

"Come in," Selene called when she heard the knock.

Mia entered, carrying a notebook and a stack of printed papers. "Dr. Laurent, I've been digging through myths about Althea. You were right—there's so much we don't know about her."

Selene gestured for Mia to sit. "Show me what you've found."

Mia spread out her notes, pointing to sections of text she had highlighted. "In some accounts, Althea wasn't just a goddess of secrets. She was also a guide, a protector of travelers seeking knowledge. And here," she flipped to another page, "this source mentions that her temples were designed to test the worthiness of those who entered. They weren't just places of worship—they were proving grounds."

Selene's interest sharpened. "Proving grounds? How so?"

"Well," Mia said, her voice tinged with excitement, "the texts describe trials—puzzles, riddles, even physical challenges. Only those who could pass the trials were granted access to the inner sanctum, where Althea's greatest secrets were kept."

Selene sat back, her mind racing. The idea of trials aligned with the peculiar carvings on the temple's entrance, which she had studied more closely that morning. They seemed to depict a sequence of events—perhaps the trials themselves.

"This changes everything," Selene murmured.

Mia leaned forward. "Do you think the temple in the article could be one of hers?"

"I do," Selene said, her voice firm. "And if the myths are true, this temple might hold more than just artifacts. It could reveal a lost chapter of history."

Mia's eyes widened. "Are you going to go there?"

Selene hesitated, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. "I'm considering it. But if I do, it won't be easy. There are logistical hurdles, and…" She trailed off, unwilling to voice her deeper concerns.

Mia, however, was undeterred. "If you need help, I'm in. I'll do whatever I can."

Selene smiled, touched by her student's enthusiasm. "Thank you, Mia. I might just take you up on that."

Selene couldn't shake the pull of the temple. Every detail—the carvings, the faded stone, the air of forgotten significance—refused to leave her mind. The photograph Mia had given her seemed to burn a hole through her desk drawer, demanding attention every time she tried to focus on anything else. She had to see it with her own eyes, no matter the risks.

But she kept her plans quiet. Damian would have insisted on coming along, worrying about her safety, and while she appreciated his protective nature, she needed to do this alone. If the temple turned out to be unremarkable, she'd only waste her own time. And if it wasn't? The implications were too significant to navigate while worrying about someone else's safety.

The decision weighed heavily on her, but in the end, Selene's curiosity won out. She told herself it was better this way—simpler.

The Final Preparations

The clock on her office wall ticked quietly, marking the passage of another long day. Papers and books were scattered across her desk, but Selene's attention was fixed on the list of items duffel bag she'd packed hours earlier. Inside were the essentials:

• Sturdy hiking boots

• A high-powered flashlight with spare batteries

• A leather-bound notebook filled with scribbled notes, diagrams, and translations from her own research on ancient sites.

• A first-aid kit

• A copy of her favorite field guide

• Snacks and water

Selene stood by the desk, running her fingers along the worn strap of the bag. Her jacket, a lightweight but warm windbreaker, hung on the back of her chair. The thought of what she was about to do sent a thrill of both excitement and apprehension through her.

She glanced at the clock. Midnight. The campus was silent, the usual buzz of students and faculty long gone.

Selene slipped on her jacket, slinging the duffel bag over her shoulder. Her office, usually a haven of familiarity, felt foreign now, as though it were watching her leave with silent judgment.

She stepped into the hallway, the fluorescent lights casting long shadows across the empty corridor. Her boots echoed against the polished floor, the sound unnervingly loud in the stillness. She moved quickly, avoiding the motion-sensor lights near the elevators by taking the stairs.

Outside, the night was cool and quiet. The distant hum of streetlights and the occasional chirp of crickets were the only sounds. Selene made her way to her car, a sturdy SUV she'd bought for fieldwork. The duffel bag landed on the passenger seat with a soft thud as she slid behind the wheel.

She paused for a moment, her fingers resting on the key in the ignition. A part of her wondered if she should call someone—Mia, Damian, Ivy—just to let them know where she was going. But the thought was fleeting. If this was a mistake, she wanted it to be hers alone.

The journey to the temple's location was long, the roads winding and desolate. Her GPS struggled with the coordinates she'd input, recalculating the route every few miles as if unsure of where she was headed.

The darkness of the forest thickened as she drew closer, the tall trees looming like sentinels. Selene tightened her grip on the steering wheel, her heart pounding with anticipation.

Finally, she reached the end of the drivable path. The road narrowed into an overgrown trail, barely visible in the weak light of her headlights. She parked the car and stepped out, the cool night air carrying the earthy scent of moss and damp leaves.

From here, she'd have to continue on foot. Selene pulled out her flashlight and slung the duffel bag over her shoulder, taking her first steps into the shadowy forest.

The forest was eerily quiet, the only sound the crunch of leaves beneath her boots. The moonlight barely penetrated the dense canopy, but the faint glow of her flashlight guided her way. Every so often, she paused to check the coordinates on her phone, reassuring herself that she was on the right track.