As the door opened, the air inside the temple felt cooler, fresher than the oppressive humidity outside. Ethan stepped into the darkness, his hand instinctively reaching for the torch he had prepared earlier. The light flickered as he lit the flame, casting long shadows on the stone walls. They were inside now, and there was no turning back. The deeper they went, the closer they came to the truth.
But they were not alone.
A soft rustling echoed from the shadows, and before anyone could react, a figure stepped into the light. He was tall, his face obscured by a hood, his movements graceful and deliberate. At first glance, he appeared to be another wanderer, perhaps a rival treasure hunter. But there was something about him—something familiar.
Ethan's pulse quickened. "Who are you?"
The figure stepped forward, lowering his hood to reveal a face Ethan recognized all too well. His heart skipped a beat. It was Jack Dawson, a former colleague from his earlier expeditions, someone who had vanished years ago without a trace. They had worked together on several projects in the past, and Ethan had always admired Jack's intellect and resourcefulness. But Jack had disappeared under mysterious circumstances, leaving Ethan with no explanation.
"I should have known you'd be the one to find it first," Jack said with a grin, his voice calm and collected despite the tension in the air. "I've been tracking the Dragon's Eye for years, but I knew it wouldn't be long before you caught up."
Ethan stood frozen, trying to make sense of what was happening. "You've been following us?"
Jack nodded. "I had a feeling you'd find your way here. I know more about this place than you think. I can help you—if you'll let me."
Sophia, still wary, stepped forward. "And why would you help us? You've been following us for days."
Jack's gaze flickered to the floor, a flicker of guilt in his eyes. "I'm not here for the treasure, Ethan. I'm here because you're not the only ones after the Dragon's Eye. There are others. Dangerous people. And if you're going to survive this, you'll need more than just your wits. You'll need allies."
Ethan hesitated, but deep down, he knew they couldn't continue the journey without every advantage they could get. "Alright," he said, his voice steady. "We'll take your help. For now."
Jack smiled, a flash of relief crossing his face. "Good. Trust me. We don't have much time."