Reveal It.(2)

The divine glow of the Grand Temple faded into a cold, blinding light as Ryuta and his companions felt an overwhelming force push against them. The moment they had dared to question the voice that had revealed unsettling truths about the Deity of Life, the very foundation beneath them trembled. The air turned dense, charged with an unseen power that resonated through their bones.

A voice, both ancient and authoritative, echoed through the golden halls, shaking the towering pillars that lined the sacred chamber.

"Your presence is not yet worthy of this place. Begone!"

Before any of them could react, the golden walls rippled like liquid, and a sudden force surged through the temple, enveloping them in a radiant whirlwind. The pressure built rapidly, and in an instant, they were flung backward, as if reality itself had rejected their existence within the temple.

Ryuta's vision blurred. He felt weightless yet crushed under an unfathomable power. Then—darkness.

The next thing he knew, he was tumbling onto a hard stone surface. The sound of his own breath was drowned out by the collective groans of his companions. Dust and debris settled around them, the remnants of their ejection from the sacred grounds. The oppressive aura of the temple was now gone, replaced by the biting cold of the outside world.

Ryuta pushed himself up, his head still spinning. They had landed at the foot of the Grand Temple's massive staircase, now sealed off by a shimmering golden barrier. It pulsed like a heartbeat, warning them against attempting to re-enter.

Skyler coughed, brushing off his tattered cloak. "Well, that was rude."

Alexia, still regaining her balance, clenched her fists. "What did we do wrong? We were only seeking answers!"

Roy rubbed his temples, frustration evident on his face. "Looks like we hit a wall—literally. If that thing didn't want us inside, then we're missing something."

Zhen took a deep breath, eyeing the barrier warily. "Or maybe we're closer to the truth than we think. That voice… it didn't just push us out. It was afraid."

Merlin, who had remained silent up until now, let out a long sigh. "A deity's fear is not something to take lightly. Whatever is hiding within that temple is more dangerous than we anticipated."

Ryuta stood, determination flickering in his gaze. "Then we find another way in. If the Grand Temple won't let us through the front door, we carve our own path. We're not leaving until we uncover the truth."

The group exchanged determined glances. The mystery of the Deity of Life had only deepened, and now, they stood at the precipice of something far greater than they had imagined.

A sudden gust of wind howled through the ruins, carrying a whisper. It wasn't the temple's voice, but something else—something older. The words were indistinct, yet they sent a chill down their spines.

Ryuta turned sharply. "Did anyone else hear that?"

Alexia nodded slowly. "It wasn't just the wind."

A deep rumbling shook the ground. From the shadows of the ruins, figures began to emerge—humanoid, yet distorted, their forms flickering like mirages. Their eyes glowed with an eerie light, their presence an extension of the temple's will.

Skyler drew his sword. "Looks like we're not done here."

The figures moved in unison, silent yet purposeful. The air thickened with tension. The temple had cast them out, but now it seemed determined to ensure they never returned.

Ryuta gripped his weapon, determination flaring in his eyes. "Fine. If the temple wants to test us, then let's show it why we won't be stopped."

With that, the battle began.

The figures lunged forward, their distorted forms flickering like unstable illusions. Ryuta barely had time to raise his sword before the first one struck. He deflected the blow, but the force behind it sent him skidding back.

Skyler twisted away from another attack, his Fool tarot card glowing faintly in his hand. "These things are fast!" he called out. "But they're not solid—some attacks just pass right through them."

"Then we find a way to hit what they really are," Ryuta growled, slashing at the nearest figure. This time, his blade met resistance, and the creature let out a distorted wail before dissolving into mist.

Merlin's hands traced ancient symbols in the air. "They're remnants of the temple's will—guardians meant to erase intruders. If we disrupt their connection to the temple, we can stop them."

Alexia, gripping her spear, glanced back at the golden temple. "Then where's their anchor?"

Zhen narrowed his eyes. "Look at their movements. They're circling around one point—there!" He pointed to a glowing symbol carved into the ruins, pulsing with golden light.

Without hesitation, Roy hurled a dagger at the symbol. The moment the blade struck, a shockwave rippled through the air. The creatures screeched in unison, their forms convulsing before shattering into fragments of light.

The battlefield fell silent.

Breathing heavily, Ryuta lowered his sword. "That wasn't just a defense mechanism. The temple wanted us gone, but it also wanted to test us."

Merlin wiped sweat from his brow. "Which means we were close to something. Something it didn't want us to find."

Skyler sheathed his weapon with a smirk. "Well, too bad for the temple. We're not done yet."

A new sound echoed through the ruins—slow, deliberate footsteps. From the temple's entrance, a hooded figure emerged, golden markings etched across their robes. Their voice was calm, yet filled with an undeniable authority.

"You were warned," they said. "But since you refuse to leave… the real trial begins now."

The air around them darkened, and the ruins trembled once more. Whatever lay ahead was far from over.