The Ancient Temple

Deep within Malaysia’s rainforests, where towering trees stretch toward the heavens, their emerald canopies filtering the golden rays of the sun. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and wild orchids. Birds and insects weave a natural symphony, their calls blending with the rustling leaves. Nestled within this untouched realm, an ancient temple stands—a relic of a time when spirits and ancestors walked among mortals.

The temple’s stone walls are adorned with intricate carvings, etched histories of those who protected the land before them. Overgrown roots have intertwined with the structure, making it seem as though the forest itself is cradling the temple in a protective embrace. Along the entrance, old spiritual wards carved into the stone glow faintly, pulsing with an unseen energy.

At the foot of the temple, Siti kneels, her palms pressed to the earth. She murmurs a quiet prayer, her breath slow and steady. This place is more than stone and history—it is a sanctuary, a war room, and the birthplace of a movement.

—

Arrival of the Lotus Flames

One by one, they emerge from the shadows of the jungle—drawn by the same force that led Siti here.

Putri arrives first, her sharp gaze scanning the area. She carries herself with authority, her presence exuding the weight of a leader accustomed to standing between power and the people.

Somchai, silent and observant, lingers at the temple's edge. He is careful, measuring his allies before stepping forward. The scars on his knuckles tell stories of past battles, but his mind remains unreadable.

Mira enters with cautious steps, adjusting the straps of her backpack. She is the strategist, the one who sees the moving pieces, but the look in her eyes betrays uncertainty. Trust does not come easily.

Kyla, still bearing the wounds of her previous confrontation, holds herself together. Though physically weary, her spirit is unbroken. She has seen the destruction caused by the Nine Dragons firsthand, and it fuels her resolve.

Sebastian arrives last, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. He leans against a crumbling pillar, watching the gathering unfold. Unlike the others, he does not come seeking purpose—he already knows his role.

—

As the group stands together for the first time, tension crackles in the air. They are strangers, yet bound by a common enemy.

Siti stood, voice calm yet firm. "You have all come because you’ve seen what they are doing. Because you know the land, the seas, the people—they are all under threat."

Putri arms crossed, skeptical. "We all want justice, but justice means different things to different people. What exactly are you asking of us, Siti?"

Siti meets her gaze. "I am asking you to fight, but not with swords or bullets. The Nine Dragons do not fear weapons—they have more than enough of their own. What they fear is the truth."

Mira raises an eyebrow. "Exposing the truth? Against men who have silenced entire governments? I hope you have more than just good intentions."

Kyla stepped forward, her voice laced with quiet fury. "They think they can poison the oceans, steal our lands, and crush anyone who stands in their way. I won’t just stand by and watch. If fighting means exposing them, then tell me where to begin."

Sebastian was chuckling softly, arms still folded. "Ah, so we’re idealists now. I’ve seen what happens to people who think they can ‘reveal the truth’ against men like the Nine Dragons. They disappear."

Somchai his first words, low and deliberate. "Then we make sure they don’t disappear alone."

A brief silence follows, the weight of his words settling in.

Siti softly but resolutely. "This temple is sacred, protected. Here, we can plan without eyes watching us. But first, we must learn to trust each other. We do not win by standing alone—we win by standing together."

—

The group does not yet fully trust one another, but the first step has been taken. The ancient temple will serve as their haven, but outside, the world is already shifting. The Nine Dragons will not sit idly by while whispers of rebellion stir in the shadows.

As the sun begins to set, a shadow moves at the forest’s edge. Unseen by the group, a lone figure watches from the trees before vanishing into the depths of the jungle. The enemy is already listening.

—

Formation of the Green Coalition – Destiny Intertwined. Inside the ancient temple, the air is thick with incense, carrying the scent of sandalwood and myrrh. The stone walls, carved with celestial patterns and the intertwined roots of the great Banyan tree, seem to pulse faintly, as if remembering the footsteps of those who stood here before.

At the center of the chamber, a fire pit burns with an unnatural blue flame, its ethereal glow casting flickering shadows on the faces of those gathered. The temperature is neither hot nor cold—just an eerie in-between, as if the temple itself exists between realms.

Siti stands before the flame, eyes closed, steadying herself. The others—Putri, Somchai, Mira, Kyla, and Sebastian—form a circle around her. The moment feels sacred, binding.

—

Siti's. voice steady, eyes closed. "I saw the land burning... rivers turning to dust... and shadows consuming all light."

Her voice does not waver, yet the weight of the vision lingers in the air.

Putri arms crossed, uneasy. "Are you sure these visions are real? Or just fears manifesting?"

Her tone is skeptical, but there is a flicker of concern beneath her exterior.

Siti opened her eyes, firm. "I felt the earth’s pain... heard its cries. Our destinies are bound. If we do not stand together, all will perish."

The blue flames dance as if responding to her words, reflecting in her dark eyes.

Sebastian was leaning against a pillar, watching her closely. "And if we fail?"

His voice is smooth, but there is an edge to it—a challenge, a test. He has seen enough battles to know that failure is not just a possibility—it is a reality.

Siti gazed unwaveringly. "Then the shadows will devour us... one by one."

A heavy silence follows. The prophecy is clear.

Somchai broke the silence, his voice low and deliberate. "The Nine Dragons will not let us rise. They will move against us before we have a chance to strike."

Mira shook her head, her fingers tracing the carvings on the wall. "We are still only six against an empire. Even with the truth on our side, power bends to those who hold it."

Kyla gritted her teeth, stepping forward. "Then we take it from them. Piece by piece."

Putri exchanged a glance with Siti. "We need more than just fire in our hearts. We need strategy, allies, and a plan."

Siti nods, acknowledging the weight of their concerns.

Siti her voice softer, but no less powerful. "You are here because you are chosen... because you are needed. Alone, we are vulnerable. Together, we are the Lotus Flames – guardians of the earth, protectors of balance."

—

Siti’s words linger in the air, wrapping around them like the roots of the Banyan tree outside. Each of them carries their doubts, their fears, but something shifts in this moment.

The blue fire pulses, and for the briefest second, the carvings on the temple walls glow faintly, as if the temple itself acknowledges the beginning of something greater.

Putri glances at Sebastian. He smirks, shaking his head slightly, but there is no mockery in his eyes—only calculated interest.

Somchai exhales, his fingers tapping against his knuckles—a gesture of thought, or perhaps preparation.

Mira studies the group, her strategic mind already piecing together possibilities.

Kyla, still burning from past wounds, straightens her shoulders. She knows what she must do.

Siti meets each of their gazes. She does not ask for their blind belief—only their resolve.

And one by one, they give it.

The Green Coalition is born.