Without hesitation, Adrian grasped the handle and heaved. The door creaked open with a groan, and the moment the seal broke, a foul odor rushed out, thick and putrid.

Selene gagged, covering her nose. "What is that?"

Before Adrian could answer, a low, guttural growl echoed from within the darkness. It was a sound that sent chills down both of their spines.

Slowly, they stepped forward, the dim light from Adrian's palm casting long shadows on the walls.

As their eyes adjusted, they saw it—a creature unlike anything they had ever seen.

It stood at the far end of the chamber, its massive form hulking in the darkness. The creature had the body of a powerful lion, rippled with muscle. Its head, however, was grotesquely human—twisted, with sharp, jagged teeth and glowing, malevolent eyes.

From its back extended a long, scorpion-like tail, the tip dripping with venom.

"A manticore," Adrian whispered, his voice tight with recognition.

Selene's eyes widened in horror. "That's… a manticore?"

Adrian nodded grimly, stepping forward with his sword drawn. "Cruel and merciless. Be ready."

The manticore's roar echoed through the chamber like a thunderclap, reverberating off the ancient stone walls. Its glowing eyes locked onto Adrian, the grotesque human face twisted into a cruel grin. The creature's scorpion tail twitched menacingly behind it, venom dripping from the tip, sizzling as it hit the stone floor.

Adrian's chains flared to life around him, crackling with dark fire as they snaked through the air. His gaze never left the creature as he spoke over his shoulder. "Selene, stay behind me."

But as he prepared to face the beast, the manticore's voice rang out, low and rumbling, filled with a dark amusement. "You think you can defy me, mortal?" it hissed, each word dripping with venomous arrogance. "This temple… this place... is my domain. Turn back, or you will meet your doom in the abyss."

Adrian's eyes narrowed, his grip on his sword tightening. "We've come too far to turn back now," he said coldly, his voice steady despite the menace before him.

The manticore let out a raspy laugh, the sound unsettling in the dimly lit chamber. "You are fools. All who enter the Temple of Obsession succumb to its power. You'll find yourselves slaves to your deepest desires, prisoners to the illusions in your mind."

Adrian could feel the weight of the creature's words hanging in the air, thick with malice. There was something unnatural about its presence, a sense of manipulation that clawed at the edges of his thoughts. He glanced briefly at Selene, who was standing rigid, her wide eyes fixed on the manticore's looming form.

Adrian gritted his teeth, trying to shake off the creature's strange effect on his mind. His chains surged forward, lashing out at the beast, but the manticore swatted them away with its massive paw.

The chains fell harmlessly to the ground, extinguishing with a hiss.

"Did you really think your petty magic could defeat me?" the manticore hissed, its tail swaying dangerously. "You are no match for me, mortal. I am the guardian of this temple, the gatekeeper to the secrets within. No one passes without my approval."

Adrian's jaw tightened. He knew the manticore was trying to get into his head, but the beast's words were affecting him all the same.

The thought that he could fail—that his mission would end here, before even beginning—made him clench his teeth in anger.

"I don't care what you say," Adrian growled.

Without warning, the manticore's tail snapped forward, its venomous tip aimed straight at Adrian. He reacted quickly, swinging his sword up to deflect the strike, his chains lashing out to push the creature back.

The beast hissed in frustration but didn't relent.

Then, the air around them seemed to change. It was subtle at first, but Adrian felt it—a strange heaviness, a pull on his consciousness as if something was trying to dig into his mind. He shook it off, refocusing on the fight. But Selene… she wasn't faring as well.

She staggered backward, her hands reaching up to clutch her head, her face twisted in confusion. "Lord Adrian," she gasped, her voice trembling. "What… what's happening? I… I can't think straight."

Adrian didn't answer. The manticore was advancing on them, its lips curled back in a sinister snarl, its tail poised to strike. He could feel the creature's presence growing stronger, pressing against his consciousness. He needed to focus, to ignore the manticore's attempt to distract him, but the more he tried, the more the beast's influence seemed to weigh on him.

"Stay focused, Selene!"

The manticore grinned wider, its eyes glowing with a malevolent light. "Ah, yes. The mind is such a fragile thing, so easy to manipulate. Tell me, priestess, do you see him for what he truly is?"

Selene's breath quickened as she looked up at Adrian, her eyes glazed over, no longer filled with recognition. She backed away, her voice barely a whisper. "No… you're not Adrian. You're the beast…"

Adrian stared at her, his expression a mix of confusion and fear. The manticore was getting into her head, messing with her thoughts. He had to get her out of there.

He rushed toward her, but the manticore was quicker, its tail striking at him like a snake. Adrian ducked just in time, narrowly avoiding the venomous sting, but the distraction gave the beast the opportunity to move in on Selene.

"Run!" Adrian shouted, sending his chains toward the manticore in an attempt to buy her some time. But it was too late.

Selene turned to face him but instead of the reverence he usually see in them, her eyes were filled with horror. "You foul beast... Today, you die."

Adrian's blood ran cold. What was she talking about?

Selene began to advance slowly towards him, her movements stiff and jerky, as if she were fighting against herself. Her voice was low, and filled with a menace he had never heard from her before.

Adrian's heart sank as realization dawned on him. The manticore had used its powers of hypnosis, twisting Selene's perception, making her see him as the enemy. He stepped toward her cautiously, keeping one eye on the manticore. "Selene, it's me. Listen to my voice. Don't let it control you."

But she shook her head violently, panic flashing in her eyes. "Stay away from me!" she screamed, grabbing a small dagger from her side. Without hesitation, she lunged at him.

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