Chapter 54
Fifty-four
Jada
“See the sun shifting in the distance? Any moment now.” We wait with bated breath. For what? We’re not exactly sure, but we stand prepared, still as statues.
Like a hazy mirage drifting slowly into shape, a wavering building forms in the distance.
Short and wide and built of stone, the building looks more of a temple than the skyscrapers in Astralis.
We walk in time, our steps in sync, both curious and excited about what could be waiting for us.
The building looks ancient; the stones are weathered and crumbling.
The flattened roof seems to incline towards the middle into a central dip.
It was plain and inconspicuous. Likely a deception of what was to be found inside.
Our feet come to a stop before the massive slab doors, text in a language I don’t recognize inscribed above the frame.
“What does it say?”
“The Temple of No Return.”
“Doesn’t that sound lovely?” So welcoming.
“Warm and inviting.”
I huff out a laugh while nervously glancing around me, considering my options. Temple of No Return. Does that mean I won’t come back? Is this the end for me? Am I willing to risk everything I am—my life—for bettering the worlds?
I bite my cheek, looking down at the glass beneath my feet, and take in my reflection. The pink in my hair seems more vibrant, my face set in determination. Wholly human. What awaits me in there? Some sort of test, if the prophecy is any indication. Trials of character.
Rolling my shoulders back, I prepare myself. I know who I am. The worlds are deserving of peace and balance. I can do this.
“I’m going in.”
“I didn’t think we came out here to stare at the door.”
“No turning back now.”
“Hence the ‘Temple of No Return’.”
I quirk an eyebrow in Elio’s direction, his eyes twinkling. “Are you always this funny?”
“Obviously.”
I loose a breath before placing my foot on the first step. The slabs groan in effort as they slide open, beckoning me into the darkness beyond. Creepy.
“I’m right behind you.” Elio’s steady presence, as well as my willpower to be an agent of change—change for good—has me stepping through. The doors slam shut behind us with a deafening thud. Well, here’s to going forward.
“Breathe,” Elio’s voice commands.
“I am breathing,” I say through gritted teeth, my heart pounding wildly as my eyes attempt to adjust to the darkness.
“I can practically taste your fear.”
“Okay, that’s not creepy at all.” These fucking celestial beings and all their magic powers.
“There’s nothing lurking in the shadows, don’t worry.” Must be nice to be able to see in the dark.
“Perhaps you should’ve led with that before you told me to relax.”
“I didn’t tell you to relax, I instructed you to breathe.”
“Same thing! Don’t you know better than to tell a female to calm down?”
“I didn’t tell you to ca–”
I let out an exasperated huff. “Must you be so factual all the time?”
Elio bursts into laughter, deep and loud, echoing through the cramped, dark space. I can’t help it—the sound eases the tense feeling within me, making this not feel so scary. “Jada, I’m fucking with you.”
I shake my head, momentarily grateful for the darkness to hide my ridiculous grin.
“What do you see?”
Elio is quiet as he scans the room. “Honestly, not much. But this—” His voice cuts off as he shuffles away from me. I don’t dare move, remaining rooted to the spot. “This looks like…” Whoosh. Elio’s hand engulfs in flame.
That would’ve been helpful a minute ago.
Elio glances at me with a knowing smirk, shadows dancing across his sculpted face as he raises his arm to the wall, lighting a mounted iron torch.
The room brightened in a warm glow, casting light around the small space.
Beige stone and rubble has been sculpted artfully surrounding us.
Animals are carved in painstaking detail on the walls to our sides—so realistic that it seems as if their features pop out.
My eyes catch on two humans—twins. Not just animals, then.
Wait. Head swiveling side to side, I move towards the wall, taking in each detail.
A lion, a goat, a fish. Twins, a bull, a crab…
“They’re astrological signs.” Who made this place? Who designed this temple, calculating for it to appear at a specific time? I cannot help but feel that we are merely pieces in a larger puzzle.
As if the hands of destiny were guiding me themselves.