Chapter 16 : Sunken Temple

** Echoes of the Past**

As the ship sailed under the starlit sky, Alina sat on the deck, absently rolling the ancient key between her fingers. The thrill of the Sunken Temple's treasure hunt had faded, replaced by an unsettling feeling deep in her chest. Something about that key had unlocked more than just a hidden chamber—it had stirred long-buried memories.

Zephyr, ever observant, plopped down beside her, draping his arm lazily over his knee. "You've got that look."

She arched a brow. "What look?"

"The 'I'm thinking too hard and probably about to cry' look."

Alina huffed a small laugh. "Not crying. Just… remembering."

His expression softened. "Want to talk about it?"

She hesitated before nodding. "It's strange. I never really thought about my earliest years—probably because there weren't many to remember. I was abandoned as a newborn. Left in the freezing cold. The only thing that kept me alive was…"

She trailed off, the memories rushing back.

---

### **A Cold Beginning**

The first thing she remembered was *cold.* Icy wind cutting through the air, biting at her tiny body. She had been wrapped in nothing but a thin cloth, left outside a towering estate with nothing but the vast sky above her.

A baby's cry in the night, unheard by most.

Most—but not all.

A young woman, cloaked in silver robes, had stopped in her tracks. Golden eyes softened as she bent down, gently scooping the fragile infant into her arms. "Poor thing… left all alone in a world so cruel."

She had carried her inside, wrapping her in warm furs. "You're stronger than you look, little one."

Alina shivered at the memory, gripping the key tighter. "I don't remember her name. I don't even remember her face clearly. But I remember feeling safe for the first time."

Zephyr leaned back against the ship railing. "Sounds like she cared about you."

"She did." Alina swallowed the lump in her throat. "But she wasn't allowed to keep me. The people in that estate… they saw me as a burden. A mistake. The moment she turned her back, they sent me away to an orphanage."

Zephyr's jaw clenched. "People like that deserve a nice, friendly punch to the face."

Alina chuckled. "I like how your solution to everything is violence."

"Hey, sometimes it works!" He flashed a grin. "But seriously, they're idiots. You're worth more than they'll ever know."

---

### **A Newfound Purpose**

Cassian, who had been listening nearby, approached with crossed arms. "Memories don't always come back without reason. That key might be tied to your past."

Nixie, who had been napping in Rowan's coat pocket, popped her tiny head out. "Oooooh! Maybe the treasure wasn't gold, but *answers*!"

Rowan groaned. "I was really hoping for gold."

Alina studied the key again. "If it does lead to my past… then I have to follow it. I need to know why I was abandoned."

Zephyr smirked. "And we'll be right there with you."

Cassian nodded. "No more being left in the cold."

Alina felt warmth spread through her chest. Maybe the past had started in loneliness, but now, she had something stronger—people who wouldn't leave her behind.

And that, more than any treasure, was worth everything.

** The Mysterious Island**

As the sun peeked over the horizon, the ship drifted toward a fog-shrouded island. The treasure key pulsed faintly in Alina's hand, as if guiding them toward something unseen.

"Alright, team!" Rowan clapped his hands. "Let's step onto this totally-not-cursed island and find whatever mysterious secrets await us."

Kael sighed. "Why do you always assume the worst?"

Rowan gestured at the jagged rocks and the ominous mist swirling around the shore. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe because it *looks* cursed?"

Nixie, fluttering excitedly around Alina's head, chimed in. "Ooooh! Maybe there's a legendary beast guarding treasure! Or maybe—" She gasped dramatically. "A hidden city full of snacks!"

Zephyr smirked. "Now *that* would be a worthy adventure."

---

### **The Island's Welcome**

As they stepped onto the shore, the fog swirled around them like living tendrils. Alina shivered, gripping the key. "Something about this place feels… off."

Cassian knelt, running his fingers through the damp earth. "The ground's soft. Like it was recently disturbed."

Rowan paled. "Please tell me we didn't just land on a giant creature's back."

A low rumble echoed around them. The ground trembled slightly beneath their feet.

Nixie squeaked, zipping back into Rowan's pocket. "I regret everything!"

Alina took a deep breath. "No panicking yet. Let's move carefully."

They advanced through thick jungle vegetation, the air thick with the scent of moss and something *slightly* rotten. A faint path led deeper into the island, winding past enormous twisted trees.

Suddenly, a bush rustled, and out jumped—

A chicken.

A very large, *angry* chicken.

Rowan blinked. "That's… not what I expected."

The chicken flapped its wings, puffing up aggressively.

Kael raised an eyebrow. "What's it going to do, peck us to death?"

The chicken let out an ear-splitting screech. The ground trembled again.

Cassian grabbed Alina's arm. "We need to run. Now."

A massive shape emerged from the mist—a giant *chicken-like* beast, standing at least twenty feet tall, with glowing red eyes and claws that looked sharp enough to tear through steel.

Zephyr groaned. "Why is it always giant birds?!"

---

### **The Great Chicken Chase**

The beast let out a deafening *bok-bok* and charged.

Alina turned on her heel. "RUN!"

They sprinted through the jungle, dodging low-hanging vines and jumping over fallen logs. The monster barreled after them, uprooting trees with every step.

Rowan wheezed as he ran. "Of all the things to be chased by in my life, *this* is by far the most ridiculous!"

Nixie, still hiding in his pocket, whimpered. "We should've gone to the snack city!"

Zephyr glanced over his shoulder. "Anyone got a plan that *isn't* 'run in blind panic'?"

Cassian unsheathed his sword. "We fight."

Alina nodded, flipping the glowing key in her hand. "And I think I know how."

---

### **The Turning Point**

They reached a clearing where an ancient pedestal stood. Carved into it was the exact symbol from the key. Without hesitation, Alina slammed the key into place.

The ground shook violently. A beam of golden light shot up, engulfing the chicken beast.

With a loud *squawk*, it shrank down… back into an ordinary-sized (but still very grumpy) chicken.

Rowan collapsed onto the ground, gasping. "I can't believe we were almost defeated by a poultry-based nightmare."

Nixie zipped out of his pocket, landing on Alina's shoulder. "That was *amazing*! The key totally saved us!"

Cassian nodded. "And I think it's pointing us toward whatever comes next."

Alina picked up the key, which now pulsed even stronger. "Then let's find out where it leads."

Zephyr grinned. "As long as it's not another giant bird, I'm in."

Laughing, they pressed forward, ready for whatever adventure lay ahead

**Secrets of the Island**

After their ridiculous yet harrowing escape from the monstrous chicken, the group followed the key's faint glow deeper into the island's jungle. The thick canopy above allowed only slivers of sunlight to pierce through, casting an eerie golden glow on the moss-covered ground.

Rowan nudged Alina's side. "So, are we just going to ignore the fact that we were nearly eaten by an oversized barnyard menace?"

Zephyr smirked. "I'd rather not relive that trauma."

Alina rolled her eyes. "I'd rather focus on where this key is leading us."

Cassian, always serious, glanced at the glowing artifact in Alina's grip. "It seems to be responding more strongly now. We must be getting close."

Nixie, perched on Alina's shoulder, tapped her tiny fingers against her chin. "Oooooh! Maybe it's leading us to buried treasure! Or a hidden city! Or… a forbidden romance!" She wiggled her eyebrows dramatically.

Rowan groaned. "Please, no more cursed poultry."

Alina chuckled as they continued walking, their banter lightening the tense atmosphere. The path suddenly opened into a clearing where an ancient stone temple stood, vines creeping up its walls. The key pulsed brightly in her hand.

---

### **The Guardian's Test**

As they approached the temple, an ethereal blue light shimmered before them. A figure appeared—tall and clad in ancient robes, its face obscured by a hood.

"Who dares disturb the sacred grounds of Elysia?" the figure intoned, its voice resonating in the air around them.

Rowan leaned toward Zephyr. "I vote we say 'not us' and slowly back away."

Zephyr smirked. "Too late."

Alina stepped forward, holding up the key. "We mean no harm. This key led us here. I think it's connected to my past."

The guardian tilted its head. "Then prove yourself worthy. Face the Trial of Truth."

Before anyone could react, the ground beneath them vanished.

---

### **A Trial of Feelings**

Alina blinked as she found herself in a different place—a dreamlike field of stars. Standing across from her was Zephyr, his usually mischievous expression unusually solemn.

"Zephyr?" she asked, confused.

He sighed. "Looks like this trial wants us to be honest."

A soft voice echoed in the air. *Speak your truth, or be lost in illusion forever.*

Zephyr rubbed the back of his neck. "Alright, fine. Here's the truth—I like you, Alina. More than I probably should."

Alina's heart skipped a beat. "You do?"

He chuckled. "Have you not noticed? All the teasing? The way I always try to stand between you and danger?"

She swallowed. "I… I thought you just enjoyed annoying me."

Zephyr stepped closer, his voice softer. "That too. But mostly, I just like *you.*"

The air shimmered, and suddenly, the temple reappeared around them. The trial had ended.

Cassian crossed his arms. "Took you two long enough."

Rowan smirked. "Best trial ever."

Nixie squealed. "Romance! I *knew* it!"

Alina felt her face heat up, but she couldn't help but smile. Maybe this island really *was* leading her to something valuable—just not in the way she expected.