The bamboo forest surrounding the Western Temple swayed in the evening wind.
Dust and leaves shot upward as speeding vehicles came to a halt, forming a half-moon structure beneath the bamboo at the front of the Temple's wall.
Black birds exploded from the bamboo canopy, wings flapping and stirring the heavy air as leaves rained onto the cars.
Two of the birds drifted past the walls, crying out as they landed atop the stairs.
At the base of the stairs leading into the fog-wrapped Shadow Cult lands, the half-moon arc door opened without a sound.
Inside, the air was cooler, thicker. The sky here was a deeper indigo, stars shining brighter.
Fish darted beneath the bridge, bubbles erupting from their mouths with each swift movement.
Shadows stretched long at the front of the meditation chamber, swinging sideways like tree branches.
Darkness encapsulated the room so heavily that light had no chance to enter.
