Each mural seemed to grow darker the farther they went, the dragons less divine, more monstrous, their forms twisted into shapes that clawed at the edge of sanity.
One of the younger men broke the silence, his voice trembling. "This isn't right. Nothing here's been touched for… for gods know how long. And yet…" He trailed off, clutching his spear tighter.
The commander's head snapped around. "Quiet. Fear feeds the dark."
But the words didn't soothe anyone. If anything, they made the silence that followed heavier.
Lindarion let the humans' fear wash past him, his focus on the resonance in his chest. His new core responded faintly to the walls, as if the entire temple carried an echo of dragonic mana.
With each step, he felt more certain: this place hadn't merely been a sanctuary. It had been alive once, a seat of power bound to something greater.
[System Notice: Core stabilization required.]
[Warning: Current Aetherial output exceeds vessel tolerance by 4.8%.]
