The long, winding corridors of the temple felt suffocating as Kana, Lysera, and Irielle followed Evaya through the maze-like halls.

The air smelled faintly of incense, but it couldn't mask the tension that clung to the walls.

They passed servants who kept their eyes down, guards who seemed more restless than usual, and faint whispers of something grand yet unsettling brewing within the sacred place.

Finally, Evaya stopped in front of a pair of polished wooden doors marked with subtle golden patterns.

She knocked softly, almost cautiously, her hand lingering against the wood for a moment before she stepped back.

From inside came an irritated voice.

"I told you already, go back. I don't wish to be disturbed right now."

The three exchanged glances, unsure whether to speak up, but Evaya leaned closer to the door.

"It's me. I've brought guests who requested to meet with you."

She called, her tone gentle but firm.

There was a long pause. Then, with a sharp sigh, the door creaked open.

High Priestess Jenna stood there, her robes neat but her expression weary.

Her usually radiant poise seemed dulled, the corners of her eyes tightened from lack of sleep. She waved them inside with a restrained motion.

"Very well. Enter."

The room was modestly adorned despite her rank, with a writing desk covered in scrolls, inkpots, and half-burnt candles.

A low table with cushions was set near the center, though none of the teacups arranged there had been touched.

"I apologize for earlier. It's been… a trying time. My patience runs thinner than I would like."

Jenna said, pressing her fingers against her temples as though trying to keep a headache at bay.

Evaya bowed her head slightly, guiding the others inside.

"They understand. It has been a difficult atmosphere for everyone."

Kana, though silent, observed the high priestess carefully. There was a sharpness to Jenna's tone, but beneath it lay exhaustion and perhaps even fear.

Lysera stepped forward, folding her arms in an almost formal manner.

"High Priestess, we came because someone asked us to."

Jenna blinked at her, surprised.

"Someone?"

"Yes. They told us to come here and offer help, but… we don't know who they truly were. Only that they were certainly not an ordinary person."

Lysera nodded firmly.

The high priestess frowned, displeasure flickering across her face.

"That is hardly helpful. You bring me riddles when I have no time for them. I cannot act on vague suggestions, not when the temple itself teeters on the brink of disorder."

Her voice wavered between frustration and weariness, like someone stretched too thin but refusing to show weakness.

Lysera opened her mouth to respond, but the sound of splintering wood cut her off.

The door burst inward, the wood frame cracking violently under the force of a boot.

A temple guard stormed in, his armored hand already reaching for Jenna. His face was stern, though sweat trickled down his temple.

"High Priestess. You are being summoned to the ceremonial hall. Immediately."

He barked, grabbing her arm without ceremony.

Jenna recoiled, glaring at him with indignation.

"Have you no respect? You dare barge into my quarters unannounced and seize me like some common criminal?"

The guard faltered, his grip tightening though uncertainty flashed across his expression.

"Orders are orders. I don't have a choice."

He muttered, almost defensively.

"Then you should have the decency to speak them properly! Dragging me like this—do you take me for a servant girl?"

Jenna snapped, her voice sharp despite the situation.

The man's face reddened, caught between authority and embarrassment. He stammered,

"I—I only follow what was commanded…"

Yet still, he tried to pull her toward the door, unwilling to fully release her.

Before he could drag her further, a pale hand shot out.

With the swiftness of a striking snake, Irielle grasped his wrist. A sharp crack echoed through the room as the man yelped in pain, his knees nearly buckling.

His eyes went wide, disbelief flashing across them as Irielle leaned closer.

Her lips moved, whispering something low enough that neither Kana nor Lysera could hear the words.

Whatever she said made the guard's skin drain of color. His body trembled, and the grip he had on Jenna loosened instantly.

"I—P-please, High Priestess… just… come quietly. Before it's too late…"

His voice shook. He turned his wide eyes toward the high priestess, stuttering.

He backed away quickly, as if the very air around Irielle burned him, before stumbling through the broken doorway. His hurried steps echoed down the corridor until only silence remained.

The high priestess stood frozen, her annoyance giving way to unease. She looked at Irielle, then at the others, confusion and suspicion swirling together in her eyes.

"What in the goddess's name was that?"

Irielle straightened, her face unreadable.

"Nothing more than a conversation."

Kana shivered at the tone in her voice, realizing yet again that she knew far too little about her companions.

Jenna's shoulders sagged, but her gaze hardened as she stared toward the broken doorway.

"This temple is unraveling faster than I feared."

She whispered, almost to herself.

Jenna sank down onto the nearest cushion, rubbing her forehead as if the weight of the world pressed against it.

"Summoned like a puppet, ignored in my own halls… if this continues, even my title will become meaningless."

Evaya moved closer, placing a steadying hand on the high priestess's shoulder.

"You still hold sway, my lady. They may forget your dignity for a moment, but not your authority. We'll make sure of it."

Lysera frowned, arms crossed.

"But it sounds like they're testing how far they can push. Whoever's behind this won't stop with insults. They want to isolate you."

Jenna's lips pressed into a thin line. Her sharp eyes flicked toward Kana and Irielle.

"Then it seems your arrival was no accident. Whoever sent you may know more of what is happening here than even I do."

The room fell silent, heavy with unspoken questions. No one wanted to add even more weight to the high priestess's words.

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