Reveal It. (1)

The Magician chuckles weakly. "If you seek answers, go to the Grand Temple. That is where you will find the clues you need." Magician added before he vanished.

The Grand Temple is an ancient, towering structure hidden deep within the Forgotten Valley, surrounded by mist-covered mountains and dense forests. Legends speak of its halls holding the knowledge of the gods, but few who have ventured there have ever returned.

As Ryuta and his companions approach the valley, they feel an eerie presence, as if unseen eyes are watching their every move. The closer they get, the heavier the air becomes, charged with an energy both divine and ominous.

"This place... it's unlike anything I've ever seen," Skyler mutters, gripping his sword tightly.

Roy nods. "The Magician wasn't lying. If answers exist, they'll be in there."

Before them, the massive stone doors of the Grand Temple stand closed, adorned with intricate carvings depicting celestial beings and forgotten prophecies. With a deep breath, Ryuta places his hand against the ancient stone, ready to uncover the secrets hidden within.

The moment his palm touches the surface, a pulse of energy surges through his body. The carvings begin to glow faintly, as if awakening from a long slumber. A deep, echoing voice resonates from within the temple.

"Who seeks the truth buried within these halls?"

Ryuta steadies himself. "I do. I seek answers."

The doors groan as they slowly begin to part, revealing a dimly lit corridor stretching into the unknown. The air inside is thick with the scent of old parchment and the lingering presence of something powerful.

"Be careful," Roy warns. "This place hasn't been touched in centuries."

Skyler steps forward, gripping his sword. "Then let's make sure we leave in one piece."

With cautious steps, they move inside, their footsteps echoing through the vast emptiness. The walls are lined with murals, each depicting scenes of gods and mortals, battles fought in realms beyond comprehension. At the center of the chamber stands an enormous statue—a robed figure holding a glowing orb in its hands.

As Ryuta approaches, the orb flickers to life, casting light across the chamber. A whisper drifts through the air, an ancient voice barely audible.

"The truth you seek is bound by deception. Trust not what you see, for even gods can wear masks."

A sudden gust of wind sweeps through the temple, and the ground beneath them trembles. Something is awakening.

"Stay alert!" Ryuta calls out, gripping his weapon. "We're not alone in here."

The moment he speaks, shadows twist along the walls, coiling like serpents. The air becomes heavy with an oppressive force, pressing against their chests. The once-dormant temple now thrums with an eerie energy, as if recognizing the presence of intruders.

Roy clenches his fists. "This isn't right. This place should be abandoned, so why does it feel like something is... watching us?"

Skyler narrows his eyes. "Because something is."

Before any of them can react, the murals shift. The painted figures begin to move, stepping out from the walls like specters freed from their prison. Warriors clad in spectral armor, eyes glowing with ethereal fire, advance toward them.

Ryuta steadies himself. "They're not real. They're just remnants of this place. Stand your ground."

The first phantom lunges, its weapon flashing through the dim light. Ryuta barely dodges, retaliating with a swift strike. His blade passes through the entity, but instead of dissipating, it reforms, unyielding.

"Damn it!" Skyler growls, striking one down, only for it to rise again. "They're endless!"

From above, a voice echoes through the chamber, distant yet filled with amusement. "Only those worthy may proceed. Are you worthy, Ryuta?"

Ryuta grits his teeth. "Who are you?!"

"A guardian of forgotten truths. A keeper of the deceived. Prove yourself, or be swallowed by the past."

The temple trembles, and the statue at the center begins to crack, revealing something hidden beneath its stone exterior. The glowing orb in its hands shatters, releasing a blinding light. When the radiance fades, a figure stands where the statue once was.

A man draped in golden robes, his eyes burning like twin suns.

"You seek the truth of the Grand Temple?" the figure intones. "Then you must be ready to sacrifice your beliefs, for nothing here is what it seems."

The spectral warriors vanish, their duty complete. Ryuta exhales sharply, lowering his sword, but his heart still pounds with tension.

Roy steps beside him. "I don't like this."

Skyler smirks. "We've come too far to turn back now."

The golden-robed figure gestures toward a doorway that wasn't there moments ago. "Step forward, if you dare. But know this—truth is a double-edged sword. It may set you free, or it may bind you in chains of despair."

Ryuta exchanges glances with his friends before stepping through the threshold. The darkness swallows them whole, and the real trial begins.

---

As they emerge into a vast chamber, they find themselves standing before an altar. The air is thick with power, raw and ancient. At the center of the room, an ornate throne sits, empty yet radiating authority.

"This is the heart of the Grand Temple," the golden-robed man says. "And the place where deception was born."

Ryuta's eyes narrow. "What do you mean?"

A deep silence follows, then a whisper—so faint it might have been imagined. But the words chill them to the bone.

"The true Deity of Life is not who you think."