LYRIAN
They all stumbled out of the dubious-looking portal, the sylph girls levitating a frozen and angry Mia in the air and onto the ground. They all took in their surroundings.
This time—
There was no snow.
No freezing wind.
Not even trees.
There wasn't much of anything, Lyrian thought.
Darkness had replaced it. The earth was scarred—cracked, dark, and ashen, like something had burned the life out of it long ago. The soil looked dead. Brittle. Hollow. The sky itself seemed dimmer, as if the light refused to fully touch this place.
A lifeless stillness hung in the air.
"Damn," Anika exclaimed at the sight.
"It could be worse, I think," Seren said, ever the optimist. "I mean, at least it's not freezing, right?"
Anarom didn't look at her.
"Don't come to any conclusions before you've seen the worst part."
Lyrian, Reone and the others followed his gaze. At first, they saw nothing—only mist, low and drifting like a veil. Then it cleared.
And the land opened.
A massive valley stretched before them—and at its center—a temple.
Dark. Massive. Menacing.
"Is that…" Lyrian whispered.
"The Temple of Echoes," Varal confirmed.
It rose from the dead land like a colossal beast—ancient and wrong. The air around it shimmered darkly. Even from this distance, they could feel it.
The pressure.
The pull.
The weight of ancient darkness.
Something powerful.
Something intoxicating.
"It's terrifying, surreal… and majestic all at the same time," Lyrian whispered.
"A true marvel," Mia said, momentarily forgetting about her frozen condition. Lyrian glanced at her in guilty silence but didn't say anything.
"Guys!" Reone started in an urgent voice. "We're not the only ones here."
"What do you mean?" Lyrian asked, looking at him.
He didn't look at her. He didn't answer with words.
Lyrian followed his gaze.
Dark shapes near the base of the Temple. Scattered forms.
"Are those…" Primi whispered.
"Corpses," Reone said softly.
Lyrian gasped, shocked. Still staring at the bodies below, Lyrian noticed the fabric.
"Wait… the clothes they're wearing…"
Varal's face hardened.
"The men I left behind to protect the Temple in our absence," he said quietly. "They're Temple Watch."
Anarom stared, grief flooding his face.
"No, this can't be."
No one could bring themselves to say anything. The normally stoic man let out a sob, hands on his face. Varal, on the other hand, just looked confused and angry.
"I just... I just don't understand. What could have caused this…"
Lyrian and Reone looked at each other, thinking the same thing.
The same fiendish group.
"We might have an idea," Lyrian said, her voice heavy with sadness.
---
FLASHBACK – AUTHOR POV
Veyra, Caelynn, Damon, and Nivara reached the Temple at last. Hovering above the dead valley, Veyra stared down with burning satisfaction.
The Temple of Echoes rose from the ruined land like a colossal shadow—ancient, black, unnaturally pulsing faintly with corrupted power.
"We're finally here," Veyra said brightly.
Behind her, Damon, Nivara, and Caelynn were breathing hard, exhausted. Veyra's relentless pace in coming here had drained them.
Unlike Caelynn and Nivara, Damon's fatigue melted away the moment he laid eyes on the Temple.
"It's everything I hoped it would be," he said, awed.
Nivara shot him a disgusted look he didn't notice.
"It's disappointing to me. Everything about it feels wrong, like a lie," she said.
"You better not be thinking about backing out now," Veyra snapped at her.
"Of course not," Nivara said. "I was just saying."
"Oh, my mistake. I thought you were saying something useful for once," Veyra said casually.
"Do you need to snap each and every time we speak, Veyra?" Caelynn asked her.
Veyra was about to respond angrily when Damon cut into the argument.
"Stop it, you three. We don't have time for this. We need to get that Trident."
"Don't interfere, Damon, and for the last time, don't tell me what to do. You know what I'm capable of."
Damon's expression became grim, and he went quiet. Veyra looked at him with a satisfied expression, then at the rest of the group.
"Do you all not realize that I'm about to become the most powerful person in the world? I suggest that you start learning how to talk to me with some respect while you still have a chance."
"You got it, Veyra," Nivara said coldly. Caelynn was wearing the same expression. Damon just sighed before turning to Nivara.
"I'm so glad that at least you understand the need for peace, my love," Damon said, reaching for her.
Nivara moved away before he could, as if she didn't see what he was trying to do.
"Let's get down there," she said, descending.
Damon blinked in shock, wondering what had just happened.
Did Nivara just reject him?
It seemed so, but how? She was completely besotted with him… or was she?
As the others followed Nivara, Damon shook off his misgivings. He was being paranoid. Nivara was still wrapped around his finger, he assured himself. She probably didn't see him just then.
Yes, that was definitely it, Damon decided.
As he and the trio of girls finally landed on cracked earth, Veyra spoke.
"Alright. Temple gate is over there. Let's move quickly, people."
They only took a few steps toward the gate before a dozen uniformed figures emerged.
Elderly men.
Blue cloaks.
Spears.
"Halt."
"In the name of the King and Queen of Volaria."
"Who are these old geezers?" Caelynn said, confused.
"They look like problems," Damon said quietly.
"I agree," Veyra said.
A man stepped forward.
"We are the Temple of Echoes Watch," he said. "Sworn to prevent access by anyone into the Temple for their own safety."
He lifted his spear.
"This land is off-limits to you. Turn back. Or be detained."
Veyra laughed—a sharp, amused sound.
"Detained? Us? By you? Please."
The man's grip tightened on his spear.
"This is your final warning. Leave."
Veyra looked at the determined man thoughtfully.
"This is tedious work, but I'm going to enjoy it," she said softly.
Then—
Dark magic flared as she raised her hand and fired at them.
---
The surviving members of the Temple of Echoes Watch tried to retreat, away from the Temple since they knew they couldn't go in.
They didn't get far.
Veyra and her team were far too fast.
Within seconds, the air filled with flashes of magic and the sound of steel. The old guards barely had time to react before they were overwhelmed.
One by one, they fell.
Damon grabbed the last surviving guard by the collar before the man could escape. With cold efficiency, he dragged him closer and slid his knife across the man's throat.
The body collapsed to the ground with a dull thud.
"Was that the last one?" he asked, calmly wiping the knife on the man's cloak.
Nivara glanced around at the scattered bodies.
"Yeah," she said. "But some of them are still alive. We should probably finish them."
"We don't have time for that," Veyra said urgently.
Before Caelynn could ask, Veyra said, "Look!"
Caelynn squinted in the direction Veyra was pointing.
A large distance away, a purple circular light beam could be seen.
"Is that..." she started.
"It's the beginning of a portal spell," Damon said without a doubt.
"Maybe it's more of the Temple Watch guys," Nivara said nervously.
"That would be too easy," Veyra said.
Damon looked at her.
"You think..."
"It's them. Lyrian, Reone, Mia, and the rest of their annoying little group."
"But I don't understand. We took down their jet, left them in the middle of nowhere. How would they..."
"We told you they were good," Nivara told him simply.
"Damn it," Damon said.
Only now was he beginning to realize how formidable their opponents really were.
"Let's get inside the Temple. Now," Veyra said, quickly getting on top of the situation.
No one argued.
The four of them ran toward the Temple, only stopping before the massive entrance of the Temple.
Up close, the gates looked even more intimidating—towering slabs of black stone carved with ancient symbols.
Veyra studied them for a moment, wondering if she would have to simply blast them open.
But before she could act, the enormous doors began to move.
On their own.
Slowly.
Creaking against stone.
All four of them watched nervously as the massive gates parted.
"Uh..." Caelynn said uncertainly.
Veyra's nervousness lasted only a second before excitement replaced it.
With an eager smile, she stepped inside.
The others followed—though far more cautiously.
The moment the last one crossed the threshold—
BOOM.
The doors slammed shut behind them.
Caelynn glanced back at the sealed entrance.
"No turning back now," she said seriously.
"Nope," Nivara replied, looking at her.
Inside the Temple, darkness swallowed them.
The only light came from flickering torches mounted along the ancient stone walls. Their weak flames barely illuminated the vast interior.
An eerie sound echoed through the halls—low and distant, as if the Temple itself was breathing.
Caelynn froze.
"What was that?"
"Don't know," Nivara said quietly as the group instinctively moved closer together.
"This place is getting creepier by the second," Damon said into the silence.
"Scared?" Veyra asked with a mocking smile.
Damon looked at her, his expression turning wolfish.
"Are you kidding me?" he said. "I love it."
Veyra groaned in disappointment.
The Temple stretched endlessly in every direction—corridors, archways, staircases disappearing into darkness.
"This place is huge," she said suddenly. "How are we ever going to find the Trident?"
Veyra answered instantly.
"We split up."
Caelynn frowned.
"Split up?"
"Yes," Veyra said. "It'll be quicker to find the Trident that way."
"In that case, I want to go with Nivara," Damon said immediately.
"That's too bad then, Damon," Veyra replied coolly. "Because you're coming with me."
He frowned.
"Since when do you enjoy my company?"
Veyra just smiled at him.
"I don't trust you to be alone with the Trident."
"Nivara will be with me," Damon argued.
Veyra rolled her eyes.
"That's the same as you being alone," she replied.
Nivara gritted her teeth, irritated by the way they were discussing her as if she were an insignificant object, as if she weren't even here.
At that moment, Caelynn lightly bumped her shoulder.
"Guess it's just you and me, sis."
Nivara gave her a warm smile.
At that moment, Damon deigned to look at her.
"Sorry we're being separated, my love," Damon said, turning toward Nivara.
Nivara looked at him and forced a sad expression.
"It's not your fault... my love," she said reluctantly. "Just be safe."
"Yeah, Veyra," Caelynn added grimly. "This place is probably full of traps."
As if on cue, the torches flickered and the eerie sound came back.
"Along with the traps, should we be worried about how creepily alive this place seems to be?" Nivara asked.
"It's just a bunch of noises, Nivara. I'm sure even you can handle that," Veyra said, looking at Nivara.
"It's not just a bunch of noises. This place is called the Temple of Echoes for a reason, you know?" Nivara said.
"We'll be fine," Veyra insisted.
She would not allow herself to be fazed when the Trident was so close to being hers, when she was this close to ruling the world.
At the thought of it, her tone hardened.
"And when you two find that Trident, come and get us. Is that clear?"
Caelynn and Nivara both knew that wasn't just an instruction.
It was a warning.
Nivara sighed.
"Relax," she said. "It's not like either of us can assemble the Trident anyway. If we find it, we know we'll have to give it to Damon so he can assemble it."
"And then to me to own," Veyra added.
"We get it, Veyra," Damon said impatiently. "Now that the plan is established, can we start executing it? You know, before that group of pests beats us to it."
"Let's go," Veyra said, turning away.
She didn't look back at the sisters.
"We'll see you guys," Nivara said.
"You sure will," Veyra promised as she went in search for her Trident of Axis.
---
Lyrian, Reone, Varal, and the others approached the Temple of Echoes gates, in front of which a massacre welcomed them.
Bodies lay scattered across the blackened ground—elderly men in blue cloaks, their weapons fallen beside them. Some lay twisted where they had fought. Others looked as though they had barely managed to raise their spears before being struck down.
As if the Temple itself wasn't scary enough, Lyrian thought.
They were all horrified.
Varal stopped walking.
For a moment, he was rendered speechless.
Anarom's hands trembled on his face as he stared at his fallen comrades through the cracks. His sobs were the only sound audible.
Varal's eyes moved slowly across the bodies, his expression turning hollow.
Finally, he spoke, his voice strained.
"....You say it was the people who murdered Varek who did this?"
Reone didn't hesitate.
"It was them, alright. Only they're capable of causing this kind of hurt."
Nearby, Diamond looked at the Temple ahead of them and leaned toward Sire, her voice low and angry.
"They're probably in there as we speak, looking for that stupid Trident."
"Without a doubt," Lyrian said quietly.
She and Seren stood near Mia, an unspoken agreement between them to keep watch over her—both to prevent her from escaping and to protect her if more danger appeared.
Mia stared at the Temple, the ice encasing her body glinting faintly in the dim light.
"We need to get in there," she said.
"Us. Not you, Mia," Seren replied firmly.
Mia narrowed her eyes at her, clearly unhappy with that reply and the whole situation in general.
At that moment, Lyrian noticed Reone standing beside her.
He looked grim.
Horrified.
She gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I know what you're thinking, Reone," she said softly. "But whether they live or die isn't up to us. We have to avoid it if we can."
Reone took a slow breath, stemming the angry response he almost gave her.
Lyrian pursed her lips, seeing how pissed she had made him.
Irritation flashed across his face as he regarded her.
"Seriously, Lyrian? You're still thinking about giving them mercy?"
"It's not mercy, Reone. I just don't want us to go in that Temple with the intention to commit murder," Lyrian protested.
"Anything less than death for them is mercy," Reone said fiercely.
"He's right," Mia added coldly beside them.
Lyrian looked at both of them.
"Guys, please," she said. "You see what this kind of thinking has already done to us—how it's divided us. Just stop it already."
"The only thing dividing us is you and your naivety, Lyrian," Mia said bitterly.
Lyrian sighed internally at Mia's response.
But she turned back to Reone, hope lingering in her heart.
"I'm still with Mia, Lyrian. At least in this," he said quietly. "I'm sorry, Lyrian."
Lyrian took a breath.
Disappointment washed through her. After everything that had happened… he still couldn't see things her way.
She knew that Reone was thinking the same thing, which made the situation feel impossible between them.
To be sure, Lyrian hated it, but she couldn't bring herself to back down because deep down she knew she was right.
She bit her lip, guessing again that Reone was probably thinking that too.
Damn it, Lyrian thought, slowly removing her hand from Reone's shoulder.
"I'm sorry too," she said quietly.
Reone finally looked at her.
Her expression of disappointment made him want to be on her side.
But the memory of Varek and Rhys, whom Damon had victimized just a few days ago, hardened his resolve.
He swallowed and looked away, saying nothing.
Lyrian said nothing as well.
"Guys," Mia suddenly said.
Everyone turned to her.
She nodded toward the bodies.
"That corpse just moved."
They all stared.
"What?" Reone said.
"He's alive," Mia said. Then, "You need to help him."
Lyrian frowned suspiciously.
The timing seemed too convenient.
"Don't try to trick us so you can escape, Mia."
"Yeah," Seren added sternly. "It's not going to work. And it's very disrespectful to use the dead like that."
"Guys, I am telling the truth!" Mia insisted. "Just look."
Lyrian turned her head.
For a moment, she saw nothing.
Then—
Movement.
A body shifted weakly among the corpses.
"Damn it. She's right," Lyrian said, hurrying forward.
Reone followed.
Seren gasped.
Then she raised her voice.
"Guys! Come quick, we have a survivor over here!"
Varal and the others rushed toward them.
The injured man lay barely conscious among the bodies.
Varal froze when he saw him.
"Grigor. My head engineer," he breathed.
The guy's lips moved weakly.
"Boss…"
His voice was barely audible.
Lyrian quickly turned to Anika and Primi.
"Help him, you two."
The two Diviners nodded immediately.
They knelt beside Grigor, their hands glowing with soft golden light as they worked together. Their healing energy flowed into the wounded man.
Their efforts made the dying man gasp.
Everyone watched them work anxiously.
The guy's wounds started to close.
Slowly, the color began to return to Grigor's face.
His breathing gradually steadied.
After several moments, Anika and Primi removed their hands, and the light faded.
The Diviner pair then stepped back, exhausted, instinctively holding onto each other for support.
Varal stepped forward.
"Grigor… are you alright?"
The man blinked slowly.
"Yes, boss… I think so."
Varal nodded, relief briefly flashing across his face.
"That's really good. Now can you tell us... what happened here?"
Grigor's expression twisted with grief.
"Three sylph females… and... a strange-looking man," he said hoarsely.
"They came out of nowhere. When we tried to stop them from entering the Temple… they attacked us."
Varal and Reone exchanged a look.
Their suspicions confirmed.
"It really was them," Varal said grimly.
Grigor looked around suddenly.
"Our comrades, did they…"
Varal hesitated.
Then he spoke quietly.
"They didn't make it."
Grigor's eyes filled with tears.
"Damn it…"
Anarom stepped forward, his own eyes wet.
"Do not cry," he said hoarsely. "They were brave men who gave their lives protecting the Watch. They should not be remembered with tears."
Tears flowed down his cheeks as he said this, and he wiped them away with a muttered curse.
At that moment, Varal suddenly turned and began walking toward the Temple.
His face was hard with anger.
"Varal?" Anarom called after him. "Where are you going?"
"To get justice," Varal said without stopping. "For my men who were just murdered… and for my twin brother."
Anarom hurried after him and stepped into his path.
"Just take a moment to consider what you're doing, Varal. Entering the place we have sworn to protect for years… and also sworn never to enter. Are you sure you want to do it?"
"Yes," Varal replied without hesitation.
He then looked from Anarom to the rest of his men.
"I don't expect any of you to follow me."
Anarom shook his head.
"If you're going, then we're coming with you, Varal."
"Actually, both you and Varal, the rest of the men need to stay here, Anarom," Reone said firmly, stepping forward.
Varal turned toward him, incredulous.
"Excuse me?"
"Just hear me out, Varal. You all stay here where it's safe and let me and my friends handle this."
Varal stared at him.
"You can't be serious. Half my men just got slaughtered—my brother too—and you want me to sit back and do nothing?"
"What I want you to do," Reone said calmly, "is bury your brothers. Grieve for them and for Varek with your brothers who are still alive."
"We will deal with the murderers."
Varal was silent.
Then he shook his head.
"No. I have to do something."
"Varal, please reconsider," Reone insisted. "You guys are clearly no match for them and will only get yourselves killed if you try to go up against them. My friends and I, on the other hand, are more than capable of handling this. We also have the numbers, even without you guys backing us up."
Varal instinctively looked toward Anarom for advice.
The older man hesitated.
Then he spoke slowly.
"The young ones do seem capable… and I don't want to lose more of our brothers."
Varal stood there, conflicted.
Everyone watched him, waiting for his decision.
"You're right," he finally said.
"Thank you, Varal. You won't regret it," Reone said immediately.
Varal was about to say something else when—
A loud crackling sound behind them split the air.
"What the—" Lyrian began, turning toward it.
She froze.
Mia stood several yards away.
Alone.
The ice around her body was melting rapidly as waves of heat radiated outward from her.
"Mia?" Seren whispered in shock.
"Oh no," Lyrian said a second later, realization hitting her.
They had left Mia alone.
The ice began to fracture.
Cracks spread across its surface like lightning.
Then—
CRACK.
The thin layer of ice shattered completely.