CHAPTER 11:The Gathering At The Temple Gates

The temple stood tall and silent, its ancient walls hidden within the mist. The air buzzed with something unseen, something powerful.

And then… the first one arrived.

The Warrior Arrives

The warrior stepped forward, his heavy boots crunching against the gravel. His sword—though wrapped in cloth—hung across his back. His face was unreadable, like a man who had fought too many battles and forgotten why.

He looked up at the towering temple doors and exhaled.

"Well. This looks… dramatic."

A voice behind him made him turn.

The Scientist Arrives

"I assume you have no idea what this place is either?"

The scientist adjusted his glasses, looking up at the temple with a skeptical expression. He had a notebook in one hand, already scribbling equations like he was trying to calculate the exact probability of magic being real.

The warrior frowned. "Who are you?"

"I'm a man who deals in facts, and this place makes no sense. So, naturally, I had to see it for myself."

The warrior folded his arms. "Right. And what are you writing?"

"Invention cure your miserable character ".Scientist said.

The Healer Arrives

Before the warrior could come up with a brilliant comeback, a woman walked up to them. She was calm, composed—but her sharp eyes missed nothing.

"So," she said, looking at the two men, "either of you know what's going on?"

"Nope," said the warrior.

"Still working on it," said the scientist.

She crossed her arms. "Great. I'm trapped with a brute and a nerd."

The Poet Arrives

A voice suddenly hummed behind them.

"A brute, a nerd, and a lost soul walk into a temple…"

They turned to see the poet, his unseeing eyes somehow filled with amusement. He tapped his walking stick, stepping toward them as if he could see better than all of them combined.

The healer raised a brow. "And you are?"

"The one who already knows we're in trouble."

The warrior sighed. "This just gets better and better."

The Little Girl Arrives

A small giggle made them turn again.

The little girl skipped toward them, humming to herself. Unlike the others, she didn't seem concerned at all.

She stopped in front of them, smiled, and put her hands on her hips.

"Well? Are we going in or what?"

The warrior blinked. "And who are you supposed to be?"

She grinned. "Your boss."

The scientist pinched the bridge of his nose. "Oh, fantastic. We're doomed."

The Wanderer Arrives

The woman known as the wanderer strolled in, looking completely at ease—as if she had already seen a hundred temples like this.

"Alright," she said, adjusting her scarf. "Who's in charge?"

The little girl raised her hand. "Me."

The wanderer smirked. "Sounds about right."

The warrior groaned. "Someone take this child away."

And Then…

A loud rumble filled the air.

The group turned just in time to see a private helicopter descend from the sky, landing dramatically right in front of them.

As the dust cleared, Lucian Devereaux stepped out in a perfectly tailored suit, his sunglasses reflecting the temple's golden glow.

He took one look at the others, smirked, and said:"Well, this is a strange-looking business meeting."

The warrior stared. "Who in the abyss are you?"

Lucian adjusted his cufflinks. "Lucian Devereaux. Billionaire. Philanthropist. Overall handsome devil."

The scientist sighed. "Great. A rich idiot."

Lucian smiled. "You say rich like it's a bad thing."

The little girl waved. "Hi, Money Man."

Lucian gave her a small bow. "Hello, Tiny Boss."

The warrior threw his hands up. "Okay, I give up."And

Then… The Keeper Appears

Just as the group tried to make sense of each other, a strange, melodic voice echoed from the temple.

They turned—

And out walked Elder Tao, singing a song so ridiculous, the entire group froze.

"Ohhh, welcome travelers, young and old,

To this temple, brave and bold!

Your lives are broken, full of pain,

But don't you worry, it's not in vain!"

Lucian leaned over to the scientist. "Are we being pranked?"The little girl, however, clapped in delight.

Tao finished his dramatic introduction, twirled his robe, and faced them with a wise, knowing look.

"I am Elder Tao, Keeper of the Path, Guardian of the Sacred Trials, Seer of Fate, and—"

A chicken suddenly waddled out of the temple.

The wanderer's eyes widened.

"HEY! THAT'S THE CHICKEN!"

The wanderer gasped. "Liar! That's my chicken!"

The two of them immediately squared up.

"I found it first," the monk said, crossing his arms.

"I fed it first," the wanderer shot back, hands on her hips.

"You didn't even feed it properly! I gave it spiritual nourishment!"

"Oh, please! It just wanted some grains, not a sermon!"

The little girl clapped in excitement. "Ohhh, fight! Fight! Fight!"

The poet chuckled. "Ah, the great battle of egos."

The healer sighed. "Dear gods, give me strength."

The two continued bickering aggressively—

Until someone coughed loudly.

The Old Woman Appears—With a Mango

The argument froze as an old woman stepped forward, munching on a mango.

She chewed loudly, completely unfazed by the chaos around her. Then, with a dramatic sigh, she turned to Elder Tao.

"So… what? I don't get an introduction?" she said, voice dripping with offense.

Tao blinked. "Excuse me?"

She took another bite of the mango and waved her hand wildly at the group.

"You went and introduced all these young people, and yet me, the one who actually helped bring them here, is just—forgotten?"

Tao opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off.

Tao opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off.

"Oh, I see how it is. Just some old woman in the background, huh? Not important enough for a grand speech? Just left here to rot like an overripe banana?"

She then sniffled dramatically, wiping at nonexistent tears.

The little girl's eyes softened. "Aww…"

The old woman immediately dropped the act.

"Kidding, kiddo." She winked and took another bite of mango.

Lucian whispered, "I like her."

The scientist nodded. "She's efficient."

Tao sighed, rubbing his temples. "Would you just—"

Amara Bursts In

Before he could finish, a loud voice rang out.

"YOU"

Everyone turned as Amara came storming in, her eyes locked onto the old woman.

She pointed a finger aggressively. "You're the one who called me here!"

The old woman took another slow bite of mango.

"And?"Amara snapped. "AND?! You dragged me from my life, made me leave everything behind—FOR THIS?!"

The old woman shrugged. "I mean, you weren't exactly busy."

The warrior snorted.

Amara whirled on him. "What are you laughing at?"

The warrior immediately straightened. "Nothing. Nothing at all."

Lucian leaned to the scientist. "This is getting fantastic.

The scientist nodded. "I would pay to watch this."

BOOM!

A thunderous sound exploded from the temple, shaking the ground.

Everyone froze.

Elder Tao cleared his throat.

"Now that we have finished… our introductions…" he said, his voice suddenly serious.

"Listen well. You were all called here for a reason. A great danger is coming. The world as you know it will soon change."

The poet muttered, "Oh, lovely. The end of the world."

Lucian raised a hand. "Quick question—are we gonna die?"

The warrior crossed his arms. "Does it matter? I have nothing to lose anyway."

The little girl beamed. "So what are we waiting for? Let's go in!"

With that, the temple doors groaned open.

One by one, they stepped inside.

And the trials began.