"ACHOoO!!!!" Kyn cursed as he followed after the guide, 'I think someone mentioned my name!'
On the other hand, Bertha, Chris, and Kyn were escorted around the temple and introduced to its layout. They learnt about the worshipping square and the housing street and were promised a visit to the main altar tomorrow. The temple was constructed in the Ionic order using beautiful white Pentelic marble. It featured columns at the front and back but not on the sides of the platform, a design known as amphiprostyle. Due to its relatively small size, there were only four columns on each side, totalling 16 pillars in all. At the centre of the temple stood an olive tree.
The temple's design was truly captivating, with its gleaming white marble and the serene ambiance created by the olive tree at its heart. Bertha, Chris, and Kyn were in awe as they explored the intricate details of the temple's architecture. The Ionic order's graceful columns and the amphiprostyle layout gave the temple an air of timeless beauty.
As they wandered through the worshipping square, they observed the faithful who had come to pay their respects and offer prayers. The temple seemed to serve as a spiritual hub, radiating a sense of tranquillity and devotion.
Their guide explained the historical significance of the temple, sharing tales of ancient rituals and ceremonies that had taken place there. The temple had been a place of worship for generations, and the olive tree at its centre was said to be ancient, carrying with it a sense of mystique and connection to the past.
"Hmm, I should have brought my camera for this," Chris mumbled after seeing the majestic tree at the centre, with an olive spring at its centre. The glow of the dim lighting around the edges of the temple brought out the allure of a golden chim. The roof itself was a masterpiece, a collection of steel ribs forming a steampunk-like pattern, bringing out a new age, one younger than the marble age but belonging to the start of the industrial age.
After their enlightening tour of the temple, the guide led Bertha, Chris, and Kyn back to their luxurious living quarters. Each of them had been assigned a room that could only be described as a 6-star rated suite. These accommodations were nothing short of opulent and were filled with remarkable features.
The chandeliers were one of the most striking elements in these suites. These were not ordinary chandeliers; they were magnificent works of art, dripping with crystals that caught and refracted light in a mesmerising dance of colours. The play of light against the carefully selected décor created a sense of pure luxury.
The bathrooms were similarly impressive. The six-point showers were outfitted with multiple spray faucets, providing a spa-like experience. Whether you preferred a gentle rain shower or a vigorous massage, the shower could accommodate you. The marble and gold accents in the bathroom heightened the sense of extravagance.
As if that was not enough, the suites also included a fully stocked bar. What set this bar apart was the collection of wine, some of which were over 150 years old. It was a connoisseur's dream, offering an opportunity to taste history in every sip. The wine selection represented a journey through time, where you could savour the finest vintages from different eras.
Bertha, Chris, and Kyn found themselves in a world of luxury and comfort, where every detail had been meticulously thought out to provide them with an unforgettable experience. It was a perfect complement to their exploration of the ancient temple, offering them a unique blend of history and modern indulgence.
Kyn could not help but think back on the events of the day as he prepared to settle into his exquisite 6-star room. It had been a day full of emotions and events that had left him with a lot to think about.
He began with Flora's outing, which had caused considerable uproar. He recalled the lively outing, the laughter, and the time alone when she declared her stand, the cherished moments. Her daring spirit had shone brightly, and it had been a memorable day. But then he remembered Jasmine, who appeared concerned about Flora's decision to go out. He understood her anxiety, but it had cast a cloud over the otherwise pleasant day.
Kyn's thoughts then shifted to Bertha and Chris's interaction. There was a perceptible tension between the two that he could not quite pinpoint. It was as if an unseen animosity had grown, making him nervous.
Finally, and maybe most intriguingly, Kyn could not get his mind off the forge and the enigmatic black figure. The dream reminded him of a puzzle with missing pieces that he could not quite put together. It had left an imprint on him, one that would not disappear. With these thoughts racing through his mind, Kyn slipped beneath his bed's warm, sumptuous blankets. As he fell asleep, he thought that the night would clear up the mysteries of the day and that the dreamscape would unveil the missing parts of the intriguing puzzle.
In the darkness of his dreamscape, Kyn's mind began to weave a surreal and unsettling tapestry. Within moments, the ominous Khaos entity reappeared, and this time, something else caught Kyn's attention: the presence of Mot. The tiny snake, Mot, seemed to react to the entity's appearance with fear, a response that struck Kyn as highly unusual.
To Kyn's amazement, Mot, the diminutive serpent, found his voice and spoke out, trembling as he urged the dark entity to stay away. Kyn's surprise deepened, as it was the first time he had heard Mot speak. The voice was haunting, with a boyish tone that carried a slight echo, giving it a hint of a demonic quality. It sent shivers down Kyn's spine, and he couldn't fathom how this tiny snake had such an eerie voice.
"For a creature made of darkness, you hide your aura quite well. Come out; it is I, Mot, the harbinger of death. No man nor god can best me. ...sssS"
As Mot continued to speak and introduced himself as a Death God of Mesopotamian origin, the strangeness of the dream escalated. The more Mot spoke, the more Kyn was spooked by the contrast between the innocent-sounding voice and the profound implications of the being's identity. He could feel it from the ether; the whole world seemed to tremble the moment Mot finished speaking. Kyn immediately took this chance to clamp down on the snake's mouth.
"Sush!!! Can't you feel it?"
'What kind of power is this', the snake thought to itself, his eyes now bulged out of it sockets. 'This is not a dream; this is ...'
Amid this surreal exchange, the dark entity, previously silent, suddenly erupted in a hearty, metallic laugh that sounded like chains rustling together. It was a sound that echoed through Kyn's dream, filling it with a foreboding atmosphere.
Then, as abruptly as it had appeared, the dark figure vanished, leaving Kyn in a state of bewildered astonishment. But then again, a tear within the space right in front of him formed, from 10m... to 30m...it grew... 70m ...150m ... 500m. And from it, boom, the figure emerged.
"You were saying?" came a thunderous voice.
'...it's ... its own world.'