Temple of God

There in the far back, it stood. Its large ancient columns hiding a sacred hall, almost swallowed by the monstrosity and abundance of sand. A long-forgotten symbol to bring God and humans together. It dwindled many brave men of mankind. It ripped apart many longings of bonds. It left behind a pivotal start in this new world. It was called: The Temple of God [[Lore- the beginning]]

And whoever tamed the beast inside, would become God itself. However, the curse that manifested itself over time, built from all the millions lost souls trying to conquer this feeble dream, proved to be gnawing on one's sanity yet- It lured and lured and lured until nothing but desire, curiosity and yes human greed was left. So [[will you start the game?|chapter 1.1]]

//This is heresy// //This is slander// //Pure, obtrusive blasphemy// As the new preachers unveiled the truth of the world, preached about the current state of reality, they were met with the wrath of the old preachers- the successors of God's prophets. These successors pushed down, beat and went as far as killing the new preachers as their last chants reached heavens: "God is dead" "Mankind killed him" "There it is: the new trial of destiny:" "The Temple of God" [[next| chapter 1.2]]

But this kind of prophecy, no, statement was too absurd for the old preachers because they truly believed their all-mighty God was an omnipotent, immortal being never to die and disappear. Yet, the cruel truth was, that indeed God has forsaken his people and it was time for the birth of a new Lord who would seize this world and help it enter a new era. A new era meant to create a complete new order. And becoming God meant forsaking oneself to work towards mankind's survival. But who would want to become a God only to end up as men's slave and scapegoat for everything? [[next|chapter 1.3]]

Everyone, it seemed as masses daily flock to the Temple of God with reasons and desires that did not align with the true purpose, instead, it was only to satisfy their hungry nature. Blood splattered, tainting the sandy ground of the desert, mixed with piercing howls of pain, anger and terror. The preachers who were once peaceful, have claimed the nightly life for themselves to repeat their hatred acts towards each other. Nights were particularly loved by humans. They come out all drawn to the city centre under torches of flames and the moonlight, yet they pass, without any care, past the bruised preachers. It was clear. [[next|chapter 1.4]]

God and their preachers, religion, in general, was not highly regarded anymore. The unsightly behaviour of God's helpers caused you to stop in your tracks. Several hands clung onto your legs and no matter how many times you shook them away it was futile. You took a deep breath and [[helped the new preachers|chapter 2A]] [[helped the old preachers|chapter 5A]] [[kicked their hands away and continued your errands|chapter 10A]]

The hand that grabbed you never ceased to tremble as blood poured and slowly seeped into every pore of your bare skin. The short attire you wore, could not keep you from being defiled with the sin of watching another die in front of you. You took a deep breath and looked at the male- a new preacher in his long blue robe and saw the despair, anguish and desperation. Instead of chanting like the other new preachers did about the Temple of God, he kept quiet, silently asking for help. You grabbed his hand and helped him up. His leg was broken but you couldn't abandon him now. With the old preachers in pursuit and the new preachers' beggings to also save them, following you, you had to quickly make a decision: [[Go to your place|2.B.1]] [[Go to the outskirts|2.B.2]]

You managed to throw off your pursuers by diverting their attention and soon arrived at your place. Your tiny house made out of loam was not far from the city centre. You put the new preacher on your bed and were about to tend to his wounds when loud screams and commotion drew you outside. "Wait for me a bit," you told him and left the house. And for sure, the old preachers were after you. You took a while to distract them again but when you came back home, the new preacher has already died due to excessive blood loss. Game Over Do you want to restart? [[Return here|chapter 2A]]

More and more preachers reached for you. Their hateful eyes condemned you for meddling, interfering, for saving a preacher, for saving him and not them. The overwhelming feeling you felt, their screams, the loud beating in your ears, resonated every bone in your body, it was the catalyst for an adrenaline rush. Your body burnt, it set on flames your feet and the desire to escape, to survive along with the guilty regret that you had to save this new preacher. Why did the preachers turn out to be so violent? You held the preacher tightly with your arm and forced him to continue walking despite his limp leg. Away from the vast city centre, you finally made it to the housing area where tons of little loam houses lined up next to each other and formed circle after circle around the centre. [[next|2B2]]

You could still hear the howls behind you. After determining that the housing quarter wasn't safe, you chose to head to the outskirts. And like it was a miracle, you were able to escape from the preachers. As you passed through the large entrance gate, reached the outskirts and continued in the vast desert, your mind still furiously searched for an answer as to why the old preachers were desperate to find you. Not far from the small city, lit up by torches of flames, illuminating it like fireflies in the darkness, you collapsed behind a large rock. The new preacher fell on the ground. His face was bruised and you propped him up against the rock as you asked: "What do we do now? Got dragged in because of you..." You sat beside him and for while it was silent... [[next|2 B 2]]

...until his hoarse voice appeared: "There is no God anymore so the flow of destiny is disrupted. Hence, I cannot say it was your fate to save me." You rolled your eyes, he was truly a preacher. People nowadays didn't talk about God anymore, they didn't believe, they didn't pray and definitely didn't let their fates be decided by a being that cannot be seen, cannot be touched, cannot be trusted. Suddenly, the preacher grabbed you: "Since you have saved me, you are no doubt targeted by the prophets." "Prophets?" "I will explain later. Bring me here," the preacher pulled out a small paper out of his pocket. [[next|2b2]]

A map. He handed it to you. You examined it. The place circled was not far away from the city but it seemed like it was in the middle of nowhere, not part of any town or city. The preacher understood your silence, "I go by the name Theo." The paper in your hands trembled. You closed your eyes. He was trying to make a personal connection to you. Do you [[go to the location|2C1]] or [[look for a doctor?|2C2]]

"Alright," you said and picked Theo up again. You gave him the map back, "I've no clue where that is, so you show the way." Theo slightly nodded. It was cold and nights in the desert were extremely dangerous, yet you only wore an attire that barely reached your legs. Apart from a few pants, Theo was quiet the whole time. Maybe it was to reserve his energy or maybe he wasn't a talkative person but you were grateful for it. Suddenly, Theo stopped in his tracks: "We're here." Before you, a large cave opened up, in the deep end of it a faint, flickering light danced. [[Enter|2E]]

"I've no clue what kind of game you're playing but leave me out. I couldn't care less about you preachers." You stood up and sized the wounded Theo up. "I'll look for a doctor. So, stay here." "And then?" Theo grabbed you by the ankle again. You shook it off. "And then you can go to that place alone and leave me out of your business. I just want a peaceful life." Theo didn't answer and didn't attempt to stop you. [[next|2c2]]

You went back to the city. The old preachers seemed to be still looking for you, so you quickly grabbed a scarf from the next best person and wrapped it around your head. Finally, you arrived at the doctor's place but as you and the doctor arrived, Theo was nowhere to be found- only a trail of blood was left behind. Do you [[follow the trail of blood|2D1]] or [[go back home and pretend nothing's happened?|2D2]]

You didn't know why but seeing the blood on the ground, shook your heart a bit. You were worried about Theo and yet for some reason, an irresistible temptation crept up. What was at the location that made a wounded person so desperate to not even get healed? You apologised and sent the doctor back. A short while later, the cold wind of the night haunted your body. It was true, you wanted to live a normal life and avoid danger but you also realised that you might not be safe anymore with those old preachers still looking for you and somehow... Just somehow an uneasy feeling yet curiosity welled up and drowned your mind, overtook your brain and controlled your body. You wanted to get to the core of all this. [[next|2d1]]

You shrugged your shoulders and decided to head back home. But on your way, the person you stole the scarf from, smacked your head and ripped the clothing off. Your face was exposed and the old preachers soon ganged up on you. You ended up as an exhibition example for those that dared to aggravate the old preachers. Game Over Do you wish to return? [[Return|2c2]]

You would lie if you said the Temple of God, the feud between the preachers and the reason why they became so brutal and hostile, didn't intrigue you. Slowly, step after step you followed the trail and further away you were from the light until darkness surrounded you. You were lost yet you still blindly charged forwards. And there in the far, a source of light appeared, it was faint but clear. You ran towards it, in hopes to escape the coldness wearing you down. You stood before a cave. [[Enter|2E]]

Occurrences like these weren't rare. The desert spanned many caves, many mysterious places for people to get lost in and be swallowed. And when you let curiosity get ahold of you, doom's inevitable. The deeper you ventured into the cave, the further the light appeared and as the walls of the cave closed in, the narrower the path became. Theo limped in front of you and with each movement his wounds tore open again and bled through the bandages you wrapped around him, but at one point, it seemed, Theo clasped his hands together and started to pray. You offered to help him walk but he refused. His back looked weirdly lonely to you and an odd feeling rose to your chest. [[next|2e]]

It was regret. It was longing for peace and yet- It was excitement and it was too late to turn back now. Theo stood at the end of the cave, still praying. "A dead end," you joined him. "Eyes always fool what the mind can't understand," Theo spoke again after a long while. Suddenly, you felt the urge to kick him against the wall for speaking nonsense and things you didn't even want to understand. The urge faded however as the ground opened up and a staircase led underground. Do you [[go first|2F1]] or [[let Theo go first?|2F2]]

Once again you were surrounded by darkness. Nothing but the reckless feeling of your feet touching the stone stairs one by one gave you a sense of security and along with Theo's heavy breaths and clumsy movements, you felt oddly at ease. At the end of the stairs, two paths appeared before you, guided by little torches of flames along the walls. You waited for Theo, however, you heard noises and subconsciously drew closer. You followed the right path until it led to a small room. This time blue flames lit up the area where a bunch of people have assembled. The moment they were aware of your presence, two males lunged forward and threw you to the ground. [[next|2f1]]

Getting down the stairs was a nerve-wracking experience. You were constantly worried that you might trip and fall down with Theo. Since he was injured, added with the darkness, it took him painfully long to reach the end. Before you, two paths appeared lit by little torches of flames. Theo had to stop to catch his breath and you drew to the left passage. "Stop, not this way. The other." "What's on the left?" you couldn't take your eyes off the intriguing path, almost drawing you in but you still obediently followed Theo down the right. "Just a few essentials." "Like?" "Like food," Theo drew a pause and suspicion rose. [[next|2f2]]

Your ears rang from the impact, you head hurt from the countless chants of prayers, it only magnified your drowsiness as your face hit the ground. Then all of a sudden, the prayers stopped. Voices appeared. Calm, deep yet anxious. "Who's this?" "Were we found out?" "How did they find this place?" "Should we kill them?" "What's going on?" You clenched your teeth, you didn't know either what in the world was going on. Was resorting to violence a normal thing now? You tried to move but their grip on you tightened, you had no other choice than to give up and listen to the various uncomfortable ideas on how to deal with you. [[next|2 f1]]

"Stop it, I brought this person here," Theo's voice was harsh. The hold on you instantly disappeared, instead, the people flocked towards Theo. "Theo, you survived?" "Yes," Theo turned to you and held out a hand, "apologies for their behaviour. You see we are all cautious, so please think nothing of it." Apparently almost ending up buried underneath the sand naked was nothing. You rubbed your arms and only now realised that all the people here wore long blue robes- they were new preachers. You examined the room, little stone pillars served as seatings. [[You sat down|2G1]] [[You continued to stand|2G2]]

You were exhausted and rested on the pillar. Theo turned to you. The other preachers tended to his wounds. "I will answer truthfully, so ask ahead." You thought for a while: [["Why did you bring me here?"|2H1]] [["What do you want?"|2H2]] [["Why's there a feud between the old and new preachers?"|2H3]]

You decided to stand but soon exhaustion overtook you and you sat down. Theo turned to you. The other preachers tended to his wounds. "I will answer truthfully, so ask ahead." You thought for a while: [["Why did you bring me here?"|2H1]] [["What do you want?"|2H2]] [["Why's there a feud between the old and new preachers?"|2H3]]

There was definitely something else than food. The path led to a small room. This time blue flames lit up the area where a bunch of people in long blue robes have assembled. New preachers. "Theo! You're still alive!" People crowded Theo and started to pray. Theo sat down on one of the small stone pillars that served as seatings. He waved you to do the same. All eyes turned to you. "Theo, who's this?" "Why did you bring this person?" "You shouldn't have given up our location this easily!" "Well," Theo looked exhausted. You stood there and glanced at the seat next to Theo. [[You sat down|2G1]] [[You continued to stand|2G2]]

"Why did you bring me here?" you asked. This question also piqued the interest of the others. "You helped me, so I'm merely doing the same," Theo saw that you weren't satisfied with the answer, "If I had not brought you here, you would have been accused of blasphemy by the prophets and been killed. They would have not forgiven you, committing this act of sin in their eyes." Theo was right because you helped him, the old preachers were furious and relentlessly pursued you. Was that why no one cared about them killing each other every night? In fear of getting involved and die ultimately? However, you knew that Theo didn't tell you the complete truth. "And what is the real reason?" [[next|2h1]]

"What do you want?" you stood up and approached Theo. The other preachers held you back. "What?" you turned to them, "is he your leader?" A female preacher answered:" We have no leader nor is someone superior to the other. We are all just and equal. We are all devoted." You rolled your eyes, did they all have to speak in riddles? "Please sit," the female pointed to your place again. You obeyed, you were tired anyways, "So, will any of you answer? What do you want?" The preachers looked at each other before they sat down, their hands folded to pray. [[next|2h2]]

"Why's there a feud between you and the old preachers?" When you thought back on how blood-thirsty the old preachers were running after you, a shiver of utter coldness ran down your spine. "The prophets as they are called, don't approve of our existence because our goal is the same yet different," Theo started. You rubbed your temples and wished those preachers would for once speak human. "We both want to conquer the Temple of God and for that, we need someone to do it for us- a representative- as we have no right to enter the Temple ourselves." [[next|2h3]]

A long sigh escaped his lips, he stared at the other preachers before answering: "For you to complete the Temple of God on our behalf." Commotion started. The new preachers argued with Theo. "This person is the only one, our last hope," he turned to you, "you've shown benevolence by holding out a hand to me. It does not matter if it was out of kindness or not, but out of all the bystanders you have not looked away and thus I determine- no, we- that you are chosen to enter the Temple of God as our representative and emerge victorious before the prophets do. We give you the right to enter the Temple of God." Theo stood up and put his hand on your head. Strands of golden light danced in the air before they vanished. "You've received the blessing. You are chosen. You will be a challenger against the others that were chosen." You didn't know what was going on, so you could only choke out a few words as you tried to process everything: [["What's the Temple of God?"|3A]]

Far back, in the past, where humans were once devoted to God and their faith, the world prospered under their dazzling bond. It reached the heavens and from the heavens, God smiled upon humanity, yet... it'll be always inevitable- sorrow, anguish and betrayal. As humans lived on, each human life was different from the other- fear, jealousy and hatred overtook them. However, it wasn't only directed towards their own kind, once they ran out of someone to blame, they turned to God. Curse upon curse. Hatred to blood. A debt must be paid. [[next|3a]]

"For you to conquer the Temple of God before the prophets do," Theo answered after a long while. "Prophets?" "You call them old preachers, I assume. By saving me, you have shown benevolence when no one else has. It does not matter if it was out of kindness or not but you have not looked away like the other bystanders did. We choose you as our only hope to complete the Temple of God." "What are you talking about?" you felt uncomfortable, something about the atmosphere made you uneasy. Theo stood up and put his hand on your head. "You have earned the right to enter the Temple. You will fight for our sake as our representative against other chosen ones and emerge victorious before the prophets do." As those words danced in the air, they entangled with golden strands of light until they disappeared into nothingness. You were confused. [["What exactly is the Temple of God?"|3A]]

"And what for?" "We cannot let the prophets win, that is why you who has shown benevolence by saving me when no one else held out their hands, are chosen to enter the Temple for our sake and fight against other chosen ones to emerge victorious before the Prophets do." Theo stood up and put his hand on your head, golden strands of light danced around until the disappeared into thin air. "You have earned the right to enter the Temple." You couldn't follow properly, you were confused: [["What's the Temple of God anyways?"|3A]]

Humans sought God's forgiveness, no- what they sought wasn't his forgiveness but it was theirs. They wanted God to be at their mercy for blessing them with life, a shackle, a curse as their lives strayed far from happiness. If God indeed cared about them, they wouldn't have to suffer, they wouldn't have to endure hardships, they wouldn't have to spill their blood and guts through the hand of another. That was when an unswerving thought creeped in and manifested in all of mankind as if unity was achieved this way, as if all war, violence and hatred would cease, if it was directed to a common foe: God, himself. "It's all God's fault. In order to live, we have to destroy the being called God who lurks over us, looks down on us and finds pleasure in our suffering." [[next|3 a]]

It was a point of no return, from here on humanity had to brace itself in light of their own brazenness to bear the consequences they yearned for. Even the prophets who received the direct words of God, once worshipped and praised could not stop the oncoming calamity, the oncoming slaughter. Their direct link to God was tainted, they no longer could reach to their Lord, their saviour. They had no means to stop what was coming and so the path was formed. The clear path for blasphemy to ascend to heaven and mock God. So, God decided to lay rest, to vanish from the humans he once loved and he took great consideration, painful hesitation to hurt his own children. As humans no longer believed in God, as they slandered him, as they dared to attempt to make him bow before them, God decided to wipe out his creation. This day was known as the end and the beginning. [[next|3 A]]

few humans with fearsome loyalty. And he left them, amid all chaos, built on the million treacherous corpses of men, the Temple of God. After finishing his last, God spoke to them: "Henceforth, you will decide upon your own fate. There no longer will be anyone you can blame but yourself, and if you dare, seek the Temple. The Temple will guide the last of you and will bear a new Lord. A new Lord for the world to stone. He will not know but for the pain of suffering that comes with his title and power. You shall receive the last words of mine. the last mission to carry out for eternity until the scapegoat appears: Go and spread the word of God." Then, God disappeared. [[next|3.a]]

The prophets and the loyal humans who have witnessed his words, split. The loyal humans became preachers- the new preachers that spread God's words as told. And the prophets became the old preachers- as there was no God anymore for them to directly receive their divine blessings from. The prophets were of the past. They feared the absence of God, but more so they feared the Temple capable of turning a mere human into a God. They did not believe their Lord was dead, so their mission from this point onwards was to stop anyone from conquering the Temple in their blind beliefs that this was what God warned them about. While, the preachers' goal was to create a new God through the Temple in their blind beliefs that this was what God wanted. An eternity long brutal and violent feud began- In the end, who was right? What was the right thing to do? [[next|3.A]]

And so, an age came to an end and prompted a new start. With this curse that lured many humans to their deaths. The Temple of God. As if God knew and through this way, he extinguished heresy. [[next|3B]]

As your question faded, Theo once again touched your head. This time, the golden strands of light didn't dance around you but they entered your mind. An overwhelming nostalgia, an overwhelming disgust and obsession filled and agitated you to the very core. You tried to suppress the waves of strong feelings, threatening to wash your own away. You saw it, you felt it, you were there. But what you felt was neither what the prophets nor the preachers nor any of the dying humans felt. What you felt were God's emotions. This deep, cavernous pit of feelings, of thoughts, of chaos that slaughtered each other, each of them wanting to win this battle to possess. So violent that for a moment it seemed like the whole world shook, trembled at the despair of this sight. It was too much, pain drained from your head and slipped into your bloodstream, letting the anguish flow through your body until nothing but wrath tingled your senses and numbed you. You coughed, sweat ran down your face and covered your whole body. You ripped on your clothes yet raised your head to meet Theo's cold gaze and through clenched teeth, with loathing eyes you spoke: "I accept. I will enter the Temple of God." [[next|3C]]

Mountains of sand buried the entrance of the Temple, only its high columns were visible. For a while, you stood in front of the monstrosity of the Temple. Since the entrance was underneath all the sand, you had no idea how to get in. You had the right to enter but how to enter was the problem now. Standing in front this Temple made you feel small, inferior and all of a sudden it dawned on you why many people sought the Temple and why all those people died. Without the right to enter, people were lured inside and then all that left was a piercing scream. That was precisely what you saw and what you heard. As you remained frozen on the spot, several lone men came and once they closed in the Temple would open up and they would enter only to be swallowed and forever cease to exist. However, all this time the Temple never let you in, even when you tried to follow those that were able to get inside. You realised this was the Temple's way of sorting the chosen ones and those ignorant enough to still dare challenge it. You could've warned the last person but you remained quiet until you heard his fear-stricken scream. "Man, what a bother. Do those damn people really not know or are they just plain stupid?" A rough yet childish voice appeared. [[next|3D]]

For a while, nothing happened and then you were surrounded by white light. You were trapped. A counter appeared: 10 000 left yet you were there for what felt like an eternity and the counter only now went down a digit. 9999 left. And that was when you knew... this prologue has come to an end. ---- Thank you so much for reading and playing the prologue of "Temple of God". I hope you enjoyed! If you feel like it, please play the other two routes: [[Back here|chapter 1.4]]

You turned around and saw a young male with a huge grin on his face, with him was another female and male. Seeing you he smirked, "Ah, finally another chosen one. Hey, you alone?" He approached you and put his arm around your shoulders. You just nodded. "Great, we were just short one person!" "What do you mean?" "What? You don't know?" the guy was surprised but then grinned again, "for us with the right to enter, we have to go in fours. Surely, whoever blessed you must've told you right?" "...No." "Well, whatever. Let's go! Don't worry, we won't do anything haha! And you don't have any other choice, now do you?" He let go of you and walked closer to the Temple. The other male briskly sized you up but passed while the female gave you a shy smile. "What are you waiting for? You won't be able to enter without us!" the energetic guy called out to you. "Same goes for you," you retorted but still caught up to them. He grinned and touched one of the columns: "Well well, let's enter, shall we?" [[Enter the Temple|4]]

His dirty fingers, his long fingernails dug deep into your skin. It was a revolting feeling, it crept up your leg and tightly wrapped around your body to the point you felt suffocated. As a reaction, you tried to throw his hand off but the old preacher looked at you and despite being beaten, despite the thick red blood running down his face until it mingled with the red robe of his, he grinned. What was wrong with him? "Hey, if you help me, I'll give you money," his grin grew wider. Weren't preachers supposed to be pious? Where in the world would they get money from? But then again, they were beating each other to a pulp. You pondered, then crouched down and also grinned. It was a rather nasty grin. Being materialistic was what nowadays everyone became. "Old man, how much we're talking about?" [[next|5a]]

You looked at the hands that grabbed your leg. The new preachers in their blue robes and the old preachers in their red were crawling all over the ground, beating each other. Yet just like you, none of the other normal people cared or wanted to get involved with them. No one cared about the life or death of strangers. This was just how the world worked and this was just how you were. Utterly disgusted by all of this. By the dirty fingers that violated your bare skin, by the saliva that clung onto you like sticky gum, by the blood that splattered all over you and burned, stung like acid everywhere it touched, and by all the bystanders and by yourself. "Let go," you stomped on the hands until they let go and continued your way to the market. [[next|10a]]

The old preacher continued to grab your ankle: "As much as you want." His sticky grin never left his face. "Fine," you stood up and pointed to your feet, "but first take your hands off me." "Sure, sure," he withdrew his hands immediately. You grabbed the old preacher by the arm and helped him up. Apart from a wound on his head, it seemed every other part of his body was fine. None of the others tried to hold you back from escaping with the preacher. You looked back and it seemed it was only the old preachers who started the fight with the new preachers. The latter only fought back to defend themselves. You sized up the old preacher walking slowly next to you. Why would the old preachers go so far as to commit manslaughter? You shrugged your shoulders, it was none of your business. [["I helped you, where's my money?"| 5B1]] [["What's the plan now?"|5B2]] [["Can you hurry up? I don't have all the time."|5B3]]

The city lit up under flickering lights of flames and the night sky seemed to burn under its sight, luring people to the illusion of warmth and comfort. Yet it was cold. The nights of the desert were freezing and numbing but it didn't bother anyone. Everyone still dressed in light attires. Each step you took in this desolate alley towards the outskirts of the city, echoed like a drop in water, and behind you slow, imposing footsteps followed. The old preacher was indeed old yet the aura he gave off was incompatible with his bloody and torn appearance and it didn't match the barbaric nature you've witnessed just now. "Damn geezer," you whispered. For a minute you felt intimidated, overwhelmed and incredibly small. Was it by accident or purpose that the old preacher let out a small fraction of his power? [[next|5b1]]

After a while of silence, you finally asked him: "Hey, what's the plan now?" "What do you mean?" "I mean, I've helped you because of the money but what you gonna do now?" The old preacher stopped in his track. "Are you perhaps worried about me?" "As if!" you huffed and turned away from him. "I did promise you money. How about this?" The old preacher started to walk again. His bruised and beaten appearance couldn't hide the imposing and somehow elegant bearing he held. You shivered, he was only a preacher so why did you feel intimidated? [[next|5b2]]

"Hey, can you hurry up? I don't have all the time!" you impatiently waited for the old preacher to catch up. "You should be more benevolent towards the elders," the old preacher caught up to you. You rolled your eyes. "Where are we headed?" "Will you not tend to my wounds at your house?" "Why would I do that? I only remember helping you escape that mad massacre there." "I see," the old preacher reached in his robe and pulled out a pouch. He put the pouch in your hands, "you should learn some manners. Here, this is the money, I promised. May God bless your life." "That's it?" you asked surprised as the old preacher embarked on his own. He didn't answer and you shrugged your shoulders and headed back home, where you lived a boring life until you died of old age. Game over Do you wish to return? [[Yes|chapter 5A]]

For a moment, he seemed dignified, like he had the bearing of a king whose subjects trembled just from the sheer sound of his name. Was it because he was a preacher? Was that why you felt scared for a brief second? You? "Mattheus is my name and not geezer," Mattheus stroked his beard. You narrowed your eyes. That damn geezer looked so beaten up yet he had the shameless audacity to act like a noble. "Whatever," you sighed and stopped in your tracks. You looked around, this alley was good enough- shabby, desolated and dark. "This is where we part, so," you held out your hand, "where's my money?" Mattheus also stopped next to you and his stare made you uncomfortable. "You surely aren't leaving an old man here?" "What did you think?" you were getting annoyed. [[next|5 b1]]

"Surely, you'd at least invite me to your house and help me tend to my wounds." "As if! I can't be bothered with your religious little fights or whatever! If I bring you to my place, that'd mean I'll give myself away! As if I'm that stupid to just give you any info about me." Mattheus remained silent, it ticked you off. "I only helped you because you promised money. So, hand it over." "You surely didn't think I would have it with me?" You stopped in motion and retracted your hand, "...of course not." "And you surely didn't think of abandoning me here?" "...Do I look like a scum to you?" [[next|5B 1]]

"Scum indeed," Mattheus stroked his beard again and wiped the blood from his forehead, "well, let's head to my place. I have an offer for you." "Why should I-" "Which promises a lot of money." "Let me hear it." Mattheus smiled. It looked creepy but you were pretty sure he didn't intend for it to come across like that, it was just... his face... yes, that was the problem. "Damn geezer," you mumbled. "So, shall we go?" [["Fine, fine! Let's go!"| 5C1]] [["You know what? Whatever. Sounds like a pain, I can't be bothered."| 5C2]]

"How much are we talking about?", it nonchalantly slipped out. "As much as you desire," Mattheus started walking ahead. "Why does it feel like a scam? Whatever, fine, fine! Let's go!" you followed him until you realised you walked out of the city, past the city gate into the lone and vast desert. It seemed like an eternity passed and you were condemned to walk as your punishment until you couldn't take it: "Where are we going?" "You will see. Each desire comes with a price. This is surely nothing compared to the amount of wealth you wish for if I'm correct." "You bloody-" "If you want something, you will have to go through hell and sacrifice everything. This is why God condemned temptation and desire as the fruits of evil." You rolled your eyes. [[next|5c1]]

"You know what? Whatever, sounds like a pain, I can't be bothered, just take me helping you as my rare good deed," you turned around and waved Mattheus goodbye. However, he grabbed your arm, "you'll be missing out on some good fortune." "Maybe I should just beat the money out of you?" you grinned yet Mattheus showed no fear. "Tsk, whatever. I'm not interested in any shady business, so forget it." "You're missing out, my child." "Who's your child? And you seem desperate," you threw him off and walked away. "A lost soul," Mattheus sighed and left. You just wanted to go home. Money or not, the bed was more tempting. Unfortunately, your house was on the opposite side of the city, so you had to go through the city centre again. [[next|5c2]]

"Now acting like a preacher? By the way your injuries... will you be fine? I mean, walking like this?" "I see, so you actually care about me?" "As if! It's only because I'm worried about my money. If you were to drop dead here, I'd be in trouble too!" Mattheus didn't say anything but you could swear the corners of his lips tugged upwards. "Damn geezer, what are you smiling for? It's even more creepier under the moonlight," you mumbled as you once again strode behind him, wondering if he wasn't actually just messing with you by making you do this hellish exercise. At last, Mattheus finally stopped. Yet what you saw in front of you, felt like your brain would be ripped out trying to comprehend. "You're surely not going to stand here longer, right?" Mattheus turned to look at you before he took a step forward and vanished. Do you [[follow him|6.1]] [[run|6.2]]

As if little pellets of temptation rained down, you also took a step forward. In front of you was a translucent veil, it was almost invisible if the moonlight didn't reflect on it. Like a curtain, you parted the veil in the middle and stepped through, and just like you thought, just like how it looked like from outside, before you, a majestic garden in its full glory spread. Was that how the hanging gardens of Babylon looked like? Sure, it wasn't the real thing but perhaps it did look like this. In the middle of the garden, void of the buildings surrounding it, was nothing but nature that hasn't been soiled by men yet. Was this really in the middle of the desert? Just how in the world was something like this able to exist? "Are you impressed?" Mattheus' voice ripped you out of your astonishment. He stood in front of you and next to him another young male. [[next|6..1]]

"This is insane," you repeated in your head over and over again, as your feet carried you across the desert, away from that mind-breaking thing you've just witnessed with your eyes. Your hand covered your mouth, preventing it from spilling any nonsense noises that would gnaw on your sanity. What in the world was that? A terrifying grand garden in the middle of the desert, trying to swallow you whole and alive. But it wasn't just any garden, it looked like the hanging gardens of Babylon you've heard from stories. But of course, that wasn't the real thing, was it? And how was it possible to sustain a garden in the desert? Was it magic or perhaps... God's work? You didn't know and you would never get to know as your feet never ceased to run not even until daybreak and you only now realised you were trapped, lost, never to find your way back home. And after days of walking, you died and were buried in the sand with no traces of you left to be found. Game Over Do you wish to return? [[Yes|chapter 5A]]

Passing through the busy place gave you an ominous feeling. It was buzzing with people where no one cared about the blood-stained ground at one particular place. It seemed the preachers have stopped fighting and have dispersed somewhere far away. Yet, for some reason, the ominous feeling in your chest rose. You shrugged it off and picked your speed up until you once again were in a desolate alley, and you saw clearly, a shadow behind one of the loam houses. "Why are you following me?" you turned around and waited for the person to come out. To your surprise, it was another old preacher. Your eye twitched. What was with tonight? Were you a damn magnet? "Tal-" [[next|5 C2]]

"What have you done with Elder Mattheus?" the old preacher cut you off. "Elder?" Sure enough, this old preacher was fairly younger than Mattheus. He seemed in his 20s. "Say it now!" he was getting impatient and started yelling. You held up your hand and formed a circle with your thumb and index finger. "For some money, you can get all the info," you smirked. "Rotten human, here!" he actually threw some money at you. You knitted your brow, should you pick it up or let your dignity remain unsullied. You laughed, your dignity was down the drain already, why did you even care about this? [[next|5 c2]]

"He and I parted ways, he should be somewhere on the other side of the city." "Why have you left him alone?" You scratched your head, "well, he did offer me money if I go with him but-" "You're not lying?" You put the money into a small pocket, being doubted like this made you angry, so you just turned around to leave. "So, if that's what the Elder wanted, I have no choice. We should leave now." "What?" The young preacher pulled you by the collar along with him. Do you [[let him drag you|5E1]] [[run|5E2]]

"Where are we going?" your sandals were ground along the sandy surface. "To the elder, if he offered you something, he must have a reason. I won't disappoint him." You rolled your eyes. "Are all preachers like this?" Your remark went uncommented. "Fine, fine, I'll go with you, just stop dragging me like this!" "Leo... I'm Leo." Was he sulking? [[next|5e1]]

You kicked the preacher's leg and you both fell on the ground. You took the opportunity to run yet you could hear his voice hollering after you. "You liar! You must've done something atrocious to the Elder for you to run like this!" "As if," you cursed. You continued to run but the intensity and maybe insanity of his voice made you shudder. Hopefully, you would never have to see him again. Yet, it seems fate wasn't on your side as you felt an excruciating pain in your side. Blood dripped. Where did that come from? Ah, it was your own. You fell to the ground and caught a glimpse of the young preacher. "I... I avenged the Elder," he huffed and smirked like a maniac. "Damn... lunatic," you exhaled with your last breath. You died. Game Over Do you wish to return? [[Yes|5 c2]]

"Ok, Leo, please let me walk on my own." Leo let you go and only now did you realise you weren't in the city anymore but in the vast and lone desert. You followed Leo, walked and walked and walked until finally, he stopped. Yet what you saw in front of you, felt like your brain would be ripped out, trying to comprehend. "Are you coming or what?" Leo looked at you impatiently before he took a step forwards and vanished. Do you [[follow him|6.1]] [[run|6.2]]

"I have an offer for you. You seem pretty healthy, so you can help me old man out. You'll be rewarded generously." You narrowed your eyes, "not interested. Just give me the money." "I see," the old preacher reached inside his robe and pulled out a small pouch. "I'm Mattheus, what's yours?" Mattheus held out the pouch. "I'm-" just the moment you wanted to grab the pouch, an unfamiliar guy dashed past and grabbed the pouch. "My money!" Do you [[run after him|5F1]] [[let him go|5F2]]

"This damn jerk!" You wanted to run after him but hesitated and stopped. "Hey, Mattheus, you'll be fine on your own, right? Well, then, I'll be running after this bastard," you sprinted and left Mattheus on his own. The preacher nodded his head and walked away. Alley after alley. Corner after corner. Finally, you caught up to the thief. [[next|5f1]]

"You're not going to run after him?" Mattheus sized you up. You exhaled and controlled your anger, "I don't care about a lousy thief." It was clear as day you had murderous intent, however, Mattheus seemed unfazed. "Either way, you failed to pay. So, asking you is easier than to catch some damn thief." "Hm, that sounds plausible," Mattheus stroked his beard. "Plausible, my ass! You're being extorted! Don't you even realise that?" you were at your wits ends. "Surely, you will take up on my offer now." "You persistent old geezer. What kind of offer is it?" "Just some labour in return you'll be rewarded generously." [[next| 5C1]]

You grabbed the thief by the shoulders but failed to notice the two teens lurking in the dark next to a loam house. "Brother!" one of the teens screamed and dashed towards you. She pushed you away from the thief and swung a knife around. You tried to dodge but the girl in her wild defence stabbed you in the chest. "Damn," you cursed, "all this because of some little money!" You watched the thief and his siblings panic and run away as you bled to death. Game Over Do you wish to return? [[Yes|5b2]]

"This is Leo," Mattheus noticed your glance. "No need to introduce us, Elder Mattheus," Leo looked like an obedient dog before Mattheus but he shot you a cold glare. You rolled your eyes. This damn brat couldn't hide his hostility towards you. You didn't like him either, ok? No need to establish your dominance here. "We should head in now," Mattheus walked towards one of the buildings. The paths were of concrete and decorated with magnificent plants and flowers. Leo walked in front of you, making sure you didn't get too close to Mattheus. Your mind burned with all sort of questions. "Aren't you afraid anyone could find this place?" "There's no need for concern, mere mortals can't see this," Mattheus loved to stroke his beard. [[next|6.1.]]

'Aren't we mere mortals too? You and I?' but you couldn't bring yourself to say this. Instead, you asked, "How is it possible for this to exist in the desert?" "It's a blessing of God, mere mortals cannot understand." 'You damn geezer, don't try to pretend to be a preacher now, you don't have a clue either, do you?' yet this was another sentence that would never make it past your lips. "Fine, whatever," you scratched your head in defeat. It sounded like you would never get any answer no matter what you asked. "Heh, fool." Your eyebrow twitched. This damn Leo was mocking you! However, you were the bigger person and let this slide, you won't compete with such a close-minded person. [[next|6.1..]]

The walk towards the building didn't seem this long but it was excruciatingly so! Along the way, you saw various other old preachers of all ages and genders in their blood-red robes, tending to the flowers and plants in this dark night. They seemed so peaceful, it was hard to believe they could hurt anyone. "Move your feet!" Leo's voice echoed from the distance. You quickly caught up to them. In front- an absurdly grand entrance to an even absurder grand building. [[Enter|6A]]

Mattheus led you quickly through the building, you didn't even have time to take in the amazing architecture of it. If he could walk this fast, why didn't he do so before? Was he just faking earlier or... was this place something different? Indeed, since you came here, it seemed like all your fatigue and exhaustion was gone. Have you gotten yourself into something dangerous? "Snap out of it! Really, what's with you?" Leo grumbled as he waved his hand in front of your face. You were currently inside a large room with nothing but a large chair in the middle, it looked like a throne room. And on the large chair sat another old preacher, their face underneath a veil. [[next|6a]]

Mattheus walked up to the other preacher and Leo pinched your sides and motioned you to kneel as him before the chair. "Elder Baria," Leo greeted. Elder Baria nodded. "Baria, I've decided on my representative. It will be this person here," Mattheus pointed at you and smiled, again it looked creepy in this dimly lit room. "Are you sure, Mattheus?" Baria spoke. It was a woman's voice. "Yes." "Very well then." Leo threw you a dark look. You had absolutely no idea what was going on. You knew it might not be the best time to speak up but you couldn't help it. [["What's going on?"|6B1]] [["What about the money?"|6B2]] [["Actually I need to pee."|6B3]]

"Not to bother but what in the world is going on? Speak normal please..." you looked at the elders before you. "You!" Leo glared at you, seemingly wanting to strangle you if it weren't for the fact that you two weren't alone. "Hah you're quite crude, aren't you?" Mattheus spoke. You grimaced in your heart: "Please just tell me." [[next|6b 3]]

"Erm," you held up your hand. "What is it?" Baria gave you permission to speak. "This might be too straight forward but what about the money I was promised?" "Money?" Baria sounded confused. "You shameless-" Leo immediately lunged at you and tackled you to the ground, "How dare you say that in front of the elders?" "Leo," Baria only needed to say a word and Leo as fast as lightning got off you and kneeled as if nothing's happened. You swore you were looking at his tail wagging, that came growing out of his butt crack just now. You rolled your eyes, 'who's shameless?' once again a sentence which will suffocate you as it'd be forever stuck in your throat. [[next|6b2]]

"I'm sorry to interrupt but erm it's quite urgent..." "What is it?" Mattheus turned to you. "I... erm need to pee." Silence. And then, your view dropped faster than a guy's pants at the thought of him finally losing his virginity. "Leo, you-" you gnashed your teeth and rubbed your leg. That guy seriously kicked you. Leo towered over you and pulled you by the collar and only said three words: "Hold it in." "Leo, what are you doing? This is no way to behave for a prophet," Mattheus scolded him, "especially not in the presence of Baria." [[next|6b3]]

Leo immediately let you go and stood up straight: "I beg for forgiveness, Elder Mattheus, Elder Baria, I was just helping. The bas- representative just told me there's no need to pee anymore. My kick actually helped." Blank. Your face was as blank as a newly pressed piece of paper that was just about to be defiled by the pee of a lowly lapdog called... LEO! "I see, that's good then, we can continue," Mattheus actually believed the bullshit Leo vomited out of his mouth. "Very interesting, Leo you amaze me," even Baria fell for it. 'Don't be fooled you damn geezer and you hiding clown!' another sentence that will be buried silently in your heart as you had to endure the humiliation. "Back to topic, you are surely wondering what we are talking about." 'Hell yes,' you nodded as you glared at Leo's self-fulfilled face. [[next|6b 3]]

"I've chosen you as my representative to conquer the Temple of God." "What?" you immediately jumped up, "the Temple of God? Conquer?" "You've surely heard of the rumours, no? Of people daily challenging the Temple in hopes to gain whatever their hearts desire. So, here's my offer," Mattheus walked in front of you and held out his hand, "conquer the Temple of God and you will receive your reward." For a while, you just stared at him dumbfounded, "you just want me to die, right? You put me through all this damn torture just to propose to me to walk into my own death, right?" "Insolen-" "Leo, it's alright," Mattheus held his hand up and Leo instantly quieted down. [[next|6B 3]]

"People who are blessed by us prophets, or preachers as you call them, have the right to enter the Temple and challenge it. Of course, those that do not will die before even entering the Temple." You still didn't follow. "But it is not only this. The chosen ones with the right to enter have to do so in groups of fours and only then will you be able to enter." "I still have no damn idea what you're talking about." "Isn't what you want money? I will give you an upfront fee for helping us out and-" "My damn life is more worth than any amount of money!" you slapped Mattheus' hand away and huffed. "My child," Baria spoke up, "we prophets do not have the right to enter, so that is why we decided to sent representatives in our stead. We, four elders, have agreed to each choose a person for the group, Mattheus is the only one who hasn't and now he brought you." [[next|6 b3]]

"You should feel special," Leo hissed. You ignored him, "and for what should I go into the Temple?" "Our goal is to stop anyone from conquering the Temple. Mattheus has worded it wrong, we are not sending you to complete it, but we are sending you to stop anyone from conquering it. The new preachers have already sent people into the Temple, your goal is to prevent them from completing it. The Temple must never be conquered." You didn't answer. "Naturally, we will guarantee your life. Leo and two others will be with you, there is no need to fear for your life." "Why don't you want this to happen?" Baria sighed and stood up. Slowly, in her long robe, she approached you before her feet came to a halt and you had to look up to her. "Because the Temple will create a monster. A mere human cannot, must not become God." [[next|6 B3]]

A lightening fear struck your heart and for a second under Baria's words, the ground trembled. The force behind her emotions welled up inside of you. "So, the new preachers want to create a new God?" "Yes, this cannot happen. This is why you will have no chance to reject." "Why me?" Baria put her hand on your head. "Humans have rejected the idea of fate since God has disappeared but I believe it is your destiny that Mattheus has chosen you. We, elders, never act without a reason and even if we do not know the reason behind it, we are sure, it is the will of the Lord. So, it is your destiny you cannot escape." You sighed, "no matter what I won't be let off the hook?" "No," Baria's voice was firm but a trace of sadness lingered and found its way directly to your heart. [[next|6.b3]]

"Fine, I'll join but I want all the money there is in the world," you smirked. "Very well, so be it," Baria nodded and returned to her seat. In her stead, Mattheus touched your head and golden circles like halos appeared in the air and through your head, entered your body. "You now have the right to enter the Temple. Don't disappoint us. Leo will show you everything you need." He pulled his hand back and the golden light disappeared. "Before this," you looked at the elders, [["What is the Temple of God?"|7]]

"Explain yourself, please," Baria waited for you but Mattheus coughed. "Well, I did offer money for becoming my representative." Baria sighed, "Mattheus you really don't act your title. How many times have we discussed your wanton ways?" "It surely is not wanton, just grabbing an opportunity." "I see why you have chosen this human. Very befitting of you. You are very similar to each other." 'I'm not happy to hear that' with much effort, you gulped the sentence down and it sat like heavy stones in your stomach. "So, what about the money?" you still asked. "Don't you want to know the details first?" You spit in your heart, as if you cared: "Ok, then tell me about it." "//Please//" Leo hissed, "learn some respect." "You should too." "You-" Mattheus coughed to get your attention. [[next|6b 3]]

However, God remained benevolent, he left his faithful prophets and a few humans with fearsome loyalty. And he left them, amid all chaos, built on the million treacherous corpses of men, the Temple of God. After finishing his last, God spoke to them: "Henceforth, you will decide upon your own fate. There no longer will be anyone you can blame but yourself, and if you dare, seek the Temple. The Temple will guide the last of you and will bear a new Lord. A new Lord for the world to stone. He will not know but for the pain of suffering that comes with his title and power. You shall receive the last words of mine. the last mission to carry out for eternity until the scapegoat appears: Go and spread the word of God." Then, God disappeared. [[next|7.a.]]

"Hurry up." In the middle of the garden, where nothing but plain earth was now, Leo stood with a large sceptre. He discarded his red robe and was wearing a proper battle attire. It was clear that this was a training ground now. Next to him were two others, a male perhaps in his early 30s and a female in maybe her early 20s. "Here," Leo threw you a weapon. "What am I going to do with it?" you caught it but didn't want to know what was about to come. "Since you're the last and pretty unskilled in many ways, we'll be training or else you'll definitely die gruesomely in the Temple," Leo nodded to the other two. "Those two are the other members." "I'm Kelo," Kelo had a well-built body and squeezed your hand in the so-called handshake. [[next|8.1]]

"Lina. May God bless you," she wore a light, short red robe and strapped around her waist was a sword. "Oh great, nice to meet you guys... so, what's the deal with the weapons?" you cautiously glanced at the massive axe Kelo carried. "You really didn't think you'll go barehanded into the Temple?" Leo looked at you in disdain. "Then-" "Blessed powers. We, prophets, have blessed powers to link our weapons with and fight. The preachers have others, who knows what. This will be a full-blown battle to fight the heretics," Leo waved and Kelo and Lina stepped away as a large circle was carved into the ground. "We don't have much time, we need to enter as soon as possible, that's why you-" Leo hit his sceptre on the ground and shockwaves appeared inside the circle, "have to train to death. Inside this circle, none of my power will leak out, so prepare yourself." You gulped and [[threw your weapon away and ran|8A]] [[fought|8B]] [[called for help|8C]]

Another shockwave came and the ground underneath split and you slipped through a large crack, down the sand. "Damn," you cursed and thew your weapon away. With much effort, you got yourself out of the hole. You picked the weapon up again and threw it at Leo, then dashed to the outline of the circle. Yet the moment you stepped on it, you were violently thrown back. Your body ached and you faced the blinding blue sky until a shadow covered it. "Get up, you wimp," Leo scowled and threw your weapon next to you. 'Are prophets allowed to be this crude?' you really felt you'd burst soon with all the bottled up vent inside your head. "I'm done, I don't want to. There's no way, a //mere mortal// like me could do this!" "We're all mortals, what are you talking about?" Kelo scratched his head and grinned. [[next|8a]]

Leo hit his sceptre on the ground again but just before the end of the staff touched the ground, an adrenaline rush rose to your head and you dashed towards him. He removed his sceptre, twirled it casually in his hand and swung it towards you. Again and again. And one time, twice, for a third time you dodged and jumped onto the ground to miss the sceptre barely viciously swiping above your head. "You really want to kill me?" Leo's bloodlust was no joke. A layer of sweat covered your body, just what in the world did you do to make him bear such a grudge against you? It was because of Mattheus, wasn't it? Wasn't it? Lost in your thoughts, the sceptre hit you in the stomach and you flew quite the distance away, yet it was nothing for Leo to merely catch up in a second and with a threatening glare in his eyes to bring his weapon down on you. [[next|8b]]

There was no way you could survive this! You ran around in circles as the unsteady ground beneath you trembled in a massive yearn for its prey to fall down its mouth and be swallowed in one satisfying gulp. "Hey, you both!" you frantically pointed at Kelo and Lina sitting comfortably outside the circle, so comfortable they were even snacking! "Help me out! I'll die! I'll proper be buried here! Think about it," you huffed as you evaded Leo's insane wave of attacks, "you need me! Right, finding someone else is gonna be hard, right?" Out of your eye corners, you saw Kelo and Lina staring at each other before nodding and playing rock, paper, scissors. 'Damn, those 2! Were they really toying with your life like this?' you chocked on your own thoughts as you slipped through a crack on the ground. "I lost," Kelo's big hand held you by the neck as he got you out of the hole. "Leo, go easy on this lost lamb." [[next|8c]]

He and Lina comfortably sat outside the circle, seemingly bored with you being toyed. "Damn, are you really prophets? You're all making fun of me, right?" finally you felt relieved after releasing your urgent stream having kept it in for so long. "No whining, you better not disappoint the elders and make them end up as laughing stocks!" Leo sure seemed fired up. Thunders growled inside your body so that every moment would literally shock you as you got back up on your feet. "Fine, let's do it properly," your eyes became dark and a fierce fire blazed behind your piercing glare. You were [[ready|9]]

The bright sun burned on your scalp as you followed behind Leo, Kelo and Lina in the desert. Finally, after what felt like an eternal hellish training, you set out on your journey to the Temple. Many lone men passed you on the way, all on their own to the Temple in their delusion to satisfy their greed where in reality nothing but the gruesome truth of death waited for them. Somewhere in the desert, far away, hidden yet not, the giant curse of temptation stood. Mountains of sand buried the entrance of the Temple, only its high columns were visible. "Let's go," Leo led the way but just as he closed in to the Temple, a hand grabbed his shoulder. "What do we have here?" a rough yet childish voice appeared. [[next|9.1]]

Your body was sore from the impact and you couldn't dodge. You were about to have a damn hole in your stomach. Yet the pain you waited for, never came, a sword stopped Leo's sceptre mid-air. "That's enough, Leo. You can't kill him," Lina pushed Leo away from you. So that damn dog really wanted to kill you! "Forgive him, I'll teach you in his stead," Lina gave you a pretty smile, though it was only a diversion as she was even more brutal than Leo. A pretty face hides- You spat blood as you once again hit the ground. She was fast, nimbly and yet her strength was no joke. You gripped your weapon and laughed, "Fine, let's properly do it!". You were [[ready|9]]

//Lost lamb?// your eye twitched. "Let me take over," Kelo pushed Leo out of the circle. You were grateful but then regretted your wasted gratitude because all Kelo made you do was run laps inside the damn circle while he just sat there and continued munching! It ticked you off to the point your battle spirit awakened and you grabbed your weapon to charge at him, yet Kelo casually flung you away. "Such an amateur attack." "Fine, let's do it the proper way," you clenched your teeth and your whole body felt like it's been set ablaze. "Let's get over with this!" You were [[ready|9]]

You turned around and saw a young male with a huge grin on his face, with him was another female and two males. Seeing you he smirked, "Ah, looks like we got competition, hm?" "You! How dare you touch me," Leo swung at him but the guy casually jumped back and waved his hands. "How rude and here I thought we could get along," he faked a sad voice but then laughed, "we'll see each other inside anyways, it'll be more fun!" Then he and his group disappeared into the Temple. Leo cursed. You were surprised for Leo to be overwhelmed by someone. "They must've been chosen by the preachers," Lina said. Kelo nodded. "Either way, shouldn't we also head in?" you pointed to the entrance. "Let's go," Leo took the lead again. [[Enter|10]]

The night market has been getting increasingly popular to the point that people from all other cities in the desert have been coming and it was daily buzzing with an insane amount of people. You had to quickly get there to check the new wares that have arrived and to buy some groceries since you've been running out of food. Yet the further you went from the scene, the louder the anguish screams got and the harder it weighed on your conscience. But this had nothing to do with you. Absolutely nothing. Being impartial, being heartless and being cold-blooded that was your job. [[next|10 a]]

You finally arrived at the market and after you finished your errands, you went from stall to stall. While you were picking out fruits, a childish yet rough voice appeared behind you: "Hey ya, ain't those apples juicy red?" You turned around to face a young male with a huge grin on his face. He looked mischievous. "Don't ya think so?" he grabbed past you, took an apple and bit into it. "What are you doing? Pay for it first!" the owner got angry. "Woah, no worries, here ya go," he threw the owner some gold coins, then turned his attention back to you. "Want to try?" he held the bitten apple in front of you. You sighed. Do you [[humour him|10B]] [[ignore him|10C]]

"Why should I do that?" you stared at him. His cheeky grin grew wider and he literally rubbed the bitten apple against your lips, "Try it!" You rolled your eyes and took a bite. It was indeed juicy and tasted good. "This apple is really sweet and red, ain't it? Maybe just like blood," he smiled innocently before taking another bite. The whole time he looked into your eyes but his words made you look at yourself. "This is not my blood," you pointed at the stains on your clothes and bare skin. It was night and nights in the desert were cold, yet everyone wore short attires anyways. No one minded the cold. [[next|10b]]

You now understood why people would commit murder. The urge to not utterly massacre this jerk was hard to suppress. The apple continuously rubbed all sides of your face and he sure was enjoying himself, seeing how he almost pissed himself with laughter. Quickly, you bought some groceries and left the market, however that guy was persistently following you. Finally, you couldn't take it anymore and stopped to confront him. You turned around and saw his stupid grin: "What the hell's wrong with you?" [[next|10c]]

"I know, that's why it's even more suspicious. No one would walk like a murderer casually and what's even more interesting is that none of the others seem to mind," not once did the smile on his lips disappear. He finished the apple in one go and took a few more to put them in your arms. "What are you doing?" "Making ya help me carry these of course! I paid gold for apples so naturally, I could buy the whole stall but I won't do that and why-" he carried quite the amount of apples and started walking, and for some reason, you followed him, "because of course, I'm a generous and good person haha!" He was the kind of person that people naturally feel drawn to punch the hell out of them. He just radiated a punchable aura. [[next|10 b]]

Luckily, you were strong enough to resist the urge. "Where are you going?" you couldn't deal with his personality. He looked cheerful but behind that smile were evil intentions. You were sure of it. It was easy for you to look through these kinds of people. "Of course to your place!" You almost dropped all of the apples. And he, you were sure, was the kind who was by nature blood-thirsty once they've tasted what it felt like to kill- to have the power to kill and decide between life and death of a person. He... He was indeed trouble. [[Take him to your place|10B2]] [[Find a way to lose him|10B3]]

And precisely because he was a dangerous person, you couldn't let him out of your sight. It was best for you to keep a close eye on him because you were the only one who could stop him if a situation would ever arise. "Fine," you walked in front of him, "follow me." "What? This easily?" he was surprised but immediately covered it. "Naturally, those apples will be mine then. I'm just asking you to carry them for me home." "But I paid for them!" he was actually sulking. You ignored him and [[walked home|11]]

"Why would you want to go to my place?" you stopped in the middle of a dark and desolated alley. "Why not?" he approached you, close enough for your faces to touch and simply smiled, "would it be a problem?" "Listen, not everyone's as free-spirited as you. Everyone would get suspicious if a stranger insists on going home with them," you stepped away from him. "Is that so?" he tilted his head. "Don't play dumb. What do you want?" "To get to know ya, of course!" "Why?" "Why? Hmm, just because?" [[next|10b3]]

The houses were all made out of loam. In the centre of the city, they all lined up next to each other, yet the closer it got to the outskirts, the further the distance between the houses grew. Your house was located in the outskirts, far away from any other place, just how you liked it. Nowhere close to someone yet close to the desert. Once you were inside, he made himself home and laid on your sofa. You put the groceries away and sat down, opposite to him, a table between you. "So? What do you want?" frankly you were fed up with him but you had no other choice than to go along with every whim of his. "Enet, call me Enet, it's not nice ya address people as 'you', yknow?" "That's not your real name, is it?" [[next|11.1]]

"But I don't want to get to know you," you put the apples on the ground, "I'll leave them here. So, please leave me alone." "Heh, I see. My bad. A shame, really..." he shrugged his shoulders and smiled but his eyes gave off a dark glint. "If ya not willing, then I can't do anything 'bout it... and here I thought we could do it peacefully..." You didn't pay attention to him and started to walk away. However, just when you reached the end of the alley, so close to the busy main street, you collapsed to your knees and grabbed your throat. It was suffocating, you couldn't breathe. [[next|10 b3]]

It wasn't long before you lied on the ground and looked up at him towering over you. "Really, such a shame... and here I thought ya were strong, maybe I caught ya off guard or maybe ya just weak. I was wrong, either way!" he grabbed inside your clothes and pulled out a golden bracelet. "This was what I was really after. The symbol of-" but you couldn't hear anything anymore as your consciousness slowly faded and you died. Game Over Do you wish to return? [[Yes|10B]]

"What ya mean?" he was genuinely confused as if he really, sincerely believed what he did was not weird. "I mean why in the world are you pretending it's normal to follow me around?" "Because." "Because?" "Because." You really wanted to slap him! Slap him into oblivion until he was stuck in a void to be forever drained of his blood! "Leave me alone," you scowled but he persistently followed you. Do you [[let him follow you home|11]] [[beat the hell out of him|10D]]

Not one, not two but at least 18 veins popped on your forehead. As you continued walking, he just hummed behind you as if he enjoyed your growing passion for violence. "C'mon why ya so slow?" he trotted behind you, seemingly bored. "How about you just duck off?" "Duck?" he violently shook with laughter and you thought it was the perfect chance. You put the groceries down and only took an apple out, then approached him, "Yes, I just said duck. So, you better duck." He was holding his stomach from laughing and didn't hear what you said. You kicked him onto the ground, stepped on his stomach and then smashed the apple on his head: "Here, eat your apple," you said as you shoved the crushed bits and juice into his mouth. [[next|10d]]

However, he actually swallowed it, laughed and pulled on your wrists, closer to him, close enough for your faces to touch, and just smirked. You immediately pulled away and scowled, "Damn lunatic." "Hey, hey now, I should be the one mad, ain't it?" "Just leave me alone." "C'mon take me home." "Don't fuckn talk like we are something, maniac." "Or else this here won't be making its way back to ya?" He held up a golden bracelet. [[next|10 d]]

Your eyes widened, when did he steal it from you? Just now? "Look at your face, it's precious, ain't it? The symbol of-" "Fine!" you said a bit too loud. You had to stop him talking about it. What if someone overheard you? "I'll take you home, so just shut up!" "Should've done so from the beginning!" he laughed and motioned you to go ahead. You [[walked home|11]]

"Nope. What's with the long face? Ya haven't told me either." "Do I have to?" "No, but it'd be nice if ya-" "Then let's get to the point." "My, no patience at all," he sat up properly and his all-familiar mischievous grin appeared again, "that nice golden bracelet ya got, it's that, ain't it..." You took out the golden bracelet, hanging on it was- "...the symbol of the Temple." -a small triangle surrounded by a circle. [[next|11.2]]

"I'm surprised you know about it." "There ain't anything I don't know 'bout," he shrugged his shoulders. "So, what are you after?" you grew more suspicious of him. No one, not even the chosen ones knew about the symbol of the Temple, let alone about- "Ya a guardian, ain't I right?" -the guardians. That guy, Enet, was someone who shouldn't exist. Now, what should you do? [[carry on with the conversation|11A]] [[kill him|11B]]

For a moment, you thought about killing him right here and now. Someone like him couldn't be left alive yet the consequences of you using your powers were too severe. The powers of a Guardian were given by God and should only be used in the Temple. God trusted the Guardians and thus blessed them, so this trust should never be broken. You thought for a moment and came to the decision it'd be best to go along with him for now. "So what if I'm a Guardian?" "The Guardians are the ones that protect the rules of the Temple. They oversee the trials and fights of those that are chosen, and they make sure that no one oversteps the boundaries. In other words, the Guardians are the strongest in the world. At least those are the rumours," he grinned and seemed very proud of himself. [[next|11a]]

"You know a lot, maybe a bit too much?" you shifted forwards. "Haha, I get that told often. It's a gift really." "More like a curse, I'd say," you had no choice, you didn't want to use your powers but trying to kill him normally would be a fatal mistake. You put the bracelet back into the inner pocket of your clothes. "A curse, ya say hm... people might take it that way if they weak," he jumped up and kicked the table towards you, "ya not gonna hear me out?" "No matter what you say it won't change anything," you sighed. You'd have to accept punishment later. The power of a guardian is too inauspicious outside. [[next|11b]]

It was only made and only intended for the Temple because God trusted you and because of his trust, you were blessed. Yet, you had to break this trust. You blocked the table with your arm, then stood up as a crazed look appeared on his face. It was mixed with pleasure. With a light tap of your feet, Enet was pressed down on the ground. His laughter echoed within the walls and he managed to prop his head up despite the force holding him down, to look at you: "Haha, unbelievable! The guardians are really the strongest in the world!" You applied more air pressure on him and he coughed blood. "However Guardian, ya have to go down with me!" The moment his words faded away, all around you turned dark. You knew it was over. The punishment has begun and he knew about it. Just who was he? And with that last thought, you died. Game OverIt was only made and only intended for the Temple because God trusted you and because of his trust, you were blessed. Yet, you had to break this trust. You blocked the table with your arm, then stood up as a crazed look appeared on his face. It was mixed with pleasure. With a light tap of your feet, Enet was pressed down on the ground. His laughter echoed within the walls and he managed to prop his head up despite the force holding him down, to look at you: "Haha, unbelievable! The guardians are really the strongest in the world!" You applied more air pressure on him and he coughed blood. "However Guardian, ya have to go down with me!" The moment his words faded away, all around you turned dark. You knew it was over. The punishment has begun and he knew about it. Just who was he? And with that last thought, you died. Game Over Do you wish to return? [[Yes|11]]

He was like a little brat who had too much power and knowledge and didn't know what to do with it but to abuse and yearn for something more. "And?" you closed your eyes for a second and breathed out. He gave you a bad headache. "Let's fight! Or that's why I want to say, however, of course, no way I'd beat ya, that's why!" he jumped up and grabbed you by the shoulders, a dark yet excited glint in his eyes, "make me a Guardian too!" If you were drinking tea right now, you'd've spit it all over his face and made him lick the remnants from the ground while stepping on his head. "No." "Oh, c'mon! C'mon! C'mon!" he was too excited and started sulking. "The Guardians have already been chosen. There will be no new ones," you shook him off you. "Then who chooses the guardians?" [[next|11 A]]

"With how much you know, I'm surprised you didn't guess it. God himself." This took Enet aback, "God exists?" "Who knows?" you still thought about how to deal with him. "What ya mean with that? Tell me everything!" Silence. "C'mon! Talk to me! Of course, there's a reason why I want to become one," he held out his hand and above his palm dark, golden light danced like a whirlwind. It wasn't pure gold, it was tainted with black yet you were sure- those were divine powers. Damn, you cursed, this complicated the matter. You had no choice. [[next|11 a]]

"We'll go," you finally spoke after a while. "Where?" he was perplexed. "To the Temple." This wasn't a matter you could deal with yourself, the other guardians were needed. You grabbed Enet by the ear and [[dragged him out|12]]

"Ow, ow! Be more gentle! I'm delicate!" You continued to drag him by the ear, "stop whining. You're so annoying." "But ya impressed, ain't ya? We really goin' to the Temple?" "Just... be quiet." Past the city centre, across the vast and lone desert, you both made your way to the Temple. The night was particularly dark, especially now that the lights of the city vanished behind you. And once you strode further into the darkness, Enet never once asked anything. He was unusually quiet. [[So, you talked to him|12A]] [[Just ignored him and continued walking|12B]]

"You're not saying anything?" "You said I'm annoying," he was still sulking, "or," he started grinning again, "ya actually want me to talk with ya? Ya lonely? Aw, c'mon just admit it, I'm lovable, ain't I?" "Yes, your face's so lovable, my fist would love to rub it a few times," you rolled your eyes. Why did you even start talking to him in the first place? "C'mon don't be like this~" Now, he wouldn't shut up. "Where are you from?" "Oh, are ya trying to find out if we're compatible? I must say honestly, ya not really my type but we could still try!" Your mind exploded and you would've loved to take the bloody pieces of your brain to smear them all over his damn face. "Just shut the hell up." [[next|12ab]]

You didn't care why he was so silent and appreciated the quiet peace. And for a while, it stayed like this until Enet suddenly tripped and pulled you down with him. "Woah, the road's really slippery, ain't it?" Enet just grinned as he laid there without any intentions to get up while holding onto your clothes. You felt the last thin string of patience snap and kicked him away from you. "Just... shut up and hurry! Don't you want to go to the Temple?" "I do but the ground's really cosy." "Then rot here." You got up and walked away, after a short while you heard him panting behind you. "W-Wait!" [[next|12ab]]

You ignored him for the rest of the time until finally a chilly breeze surrounded you and you saw the magnificent monstrosity in front of you, covered by the abundance of sand as if it was trying to hide this special place for no one to know. The Temple was open-spaced with 12 giant columns upholding the ceiling, yet the true Temple was underneath, hidden, and to enter the Temple, without being killed like all the foolish people who challenged the Temple, one must either have the right or already be part of the Temple You grabbed Enet by the hand and [[entered|13]]

A white veil surrounded you as if time stopped and you were on the brink of insanity trying not to lose your mind figuring out when this nightmare would ever leave. "Hey, get a grip on yourself!" Enet tugged on his arm you held onto in order to hold his head as if it could burst any minute. You clicked your tongue, he was too weak-minded so the Temple was starting to rule him out. If the chosen ones couldn't even pass this trial, there was no way they'd be able to survive a second in the Temple. "That's enough, isn't it? I brought him here, so let him through," your voice echoed back and finally the white surrounding disappeared and you found yourselves inside the Temple. A large sacred hall in front of you. [[next|13.1]]

"Wait, who was on duty this week?" you tilted your head and tried to uncover this mystery. "Ah, Lydia," you let go of Enet and he caught his breath on the floor. You scowled, "and you want to become a guardian like this?" "D-Don't be like that... haha" "Well, good to see you still have energy left," you looked around and then said in a loud voice, "Hey, Lydia! Come here! There's something important!" A few seconds passed and then POOF out of smoke, a beautiful woman appeared with long lilac hair and a vague smile. [[next|13.2]]

"What is it? The fights were getting so interesting now?" she sighed like you had just denied her eternal lover from ever seeing her again. "Whatever, are the others there?" "You could've just gone to the fountain yourself without calling me!" "But it's more convenient and I've got luggage," you pointed at Enet who failed at his attempt to grin. "Oh my!" she waved at him," that's why you thought I'd be a great transport?" "Just teleport us there. You know the Temple's huge. No one has time to walk through all of that!" "You owe me," she smiled and came closer, "hurry up, I don't want to miss more!" [[You grabbed her waist|13A]] [[You grabbed her hand|13A]] [[You grabbed her neck|13A]]

The Fountain. It was a place in the Temple that was sacred. If not, the most sacred place but it was the place the Guardians felt most at ease in. It was the place where the Guardians received their powers and became slaves to the Temple. A place covered in water. You dragged Enet to the platform in the middle of all the surrounding waterfalls. "Lydia, you also come," you told her. Lydia didn't seem very please but she nevertheless followed behind. On the large, round platform made out of white marble, all the other six Guardians have assembled. [[next|13a]]

You sat down on your chair and had Enet kneel before you. "What a surprise," Fabian sat right of you and looked at Enet. Fabian was a bright individual who basked in dazzling light everywhere he went. Lydia sat left of you and crossed her legs, "there better be a reason for this," she pointed at Enet, "And this," she pointed at herself, "This mood I'm in. I had to give up on that interesting fight..." "I'm not in the mood to explain," you kicked Enet, "do it yourself." Enet rubbed his butt and looked wronged. You really wanted to slap his face a few times. "I want to become a Guardian, so I came to the city and luckily found-" he pointed at you. [[next|13 a]]

"Pfft! You were found out! You, out of all people?" Timo laughed, he was a free-spirited guardian who loved to have fun. "Just shut up," you couldn't be bothered with him. "You can't be a Guardian," Fabian explained. "I was told but wouldn't it be more interesting to have me?" Enet's smug was back and he stood up. Yet the moment he did so, the whole place was covered in the dark golden light of his before. The Guardians didn't move nor were they shocked but it was clear this was unexpected. "Enet, stop it. It's hard on the eyes," you motioned Enet to drop his act. Surprisingly, he did so. "Speak, who are you?" Anastasia coldly spoke. She had the elegant bearing of a queen but her face was cold. [[next|13 A]]

"I wonder," Enet just smiled and clapped his hands, "make me a Guardian and I might tell you." "This is a headache," Fabian glared at you. "That's why I brought him here, so I don't have to deal with it, at least not alone," you shrugged your shoulders. The last two guardians remained quiet, in fact, they seemed disinterested. "You always bring trouble," Anastasia also glared at you. "Yes, always!" Lydia happily agreed. "Always?" you complained, "this is a first!" "Can yall focus on me?" Enet sulked again. All eyes fell on you. Damn, you cursed. [[Deal with Enet|13B]] [[Let the others deal with him|13C]]

"Hm fine, I'll deal with it. Enet, how would you like to perish?" "Seriously?" even Timo looked at you in disdain. "Do it yourself then!" you were fed up with the whole situation yourself. For a while there was silence and only the water splashing in the back can be heard. You knew everyone thought the same- it was the same thought you had from the beginning. Enet was dangerous. You didn't know why but you were sure he was and his wish to become a Guardian was just an excuse. And you knew, you made a mistake by bringing him here yet it was the best option to choose from any that all led to a horrible ending. Yet pinpointing an ending that was even just 0,1% better was worth going through all the hassle. Now, what were you all going to do with him? [[next|13b]]

"Don't look at me. We don't have a dictatorship here, don't try to make me decide everything," you pushed the responsibilites onto the others. For a while there was silence and only the water splashing in the back can be heard. You knew everyone thought the same- it was the same thought you had from the beginning. Enet was dangerous. You didn't know why but you were sure he was and his wish to become a Guardian was just an excuse. And you knew, you made a mistake by bringing him here yet it was the best option to choose from any that all led to a horrible ending. Yet pinpointing an ending that was even just 0,1% better was worth going through all the hassle. Now, what were you all going to do with him? [[next|13b]]

After some time, it seemed all of you came to the same conclusion without needing to say it out loud. In this Temple, you Guardians had the absolute authority and no one could defy you. It was obvious, Enet had to stay within the Temple where you could keep an eye on him but he never, absolutely never should get the chance to become a Guardian. You finally spoke up as Enet bored looked at all of you, "Enet, what do you know of the Temple?" "Only that Guardians exist to keep the chosen ones in check." You weren't sure if he honestly didn't know or if he was just pretending to lower your guards. "That's right. The chosen ones are those with the right to enter. They receive the right if they become representatives of either the new or old preachers. Since the preachers aren't allowed to enter the Temple themselves, they've to choose people who will do so for them. However, the old and new preachers have different goals to enter the Temple." [[next|13 b]]

"What different goals could there be? The only reason to challenge the Temple is to become the new God, ain't it?" "Again, that's right," you stood up and approached Enet, "yet neither the prophets nor the preachers know of our existence, Enet. We oversee and hide in the Temple, no one but us and God himself could ever know of us, so who are you?" Your hand fell on Enet's head and pure golden strands of light appeared, "in order for you to inherit the right to challenge the Temple, you have to witness the beginning of it all." The golden light danced around Enet until they crept into every pore of his skin and he passed out. He currently was there- in the lore of this world. [[Trace what Enet see|14]]

However, God remained benevolent- he left his faithful prophets and few humans with fearsome loyalty. And he left them, amid all chaos, built on the million treacherous corpses of men, the Temple of God. After finishing his last, God spoke to them: "Henceforth, you will decide upon your own fate. There no longer will be anyone you can blame but yourself, and if you dare, seek the Temple. The Temple will guide the last of you and will bear a new Lord. A new Lord for the world to stone. He will not know but for the pain of suffering that comes with his title and power. You shall receive the last words of mine. the last mission to carry out for eternity until the scapegoat appears: Go and spread the word of God." Then, God disappeared. [[next|14.a]]

The prophets and the loyal humans who have witnessed his words, split. The loyal humans became preachers- the new preachers that spread God's words as told. And the prophets became the old preachers- as there was no God anymore for them to directly receive their divine blessings from. The prophets were of the past. They feared the absence of God, but more so they feared the Temple capable of turning a mere human into a God. They did not believe their Lord was dead, so their mission from this point onwards was to stop anyone from conquering the Temple in their blind beliefs that this was what God warned them about. While the preachers' goal was to create a new God through the Temple in their blind beliefs that this was what God wanted. An eternity long brutal and violent feud began- In the end, who was right? What was the right thing to do? [[next|14.A]]

Yet, there was another untold, hidden story. The tale of the Guardians. God knew that both his loyal humans and pious prophets would one day go corrupt and be led astray, so he formed, out of earth, like the first of humans, the first of a new kind. He called them Guardians. Ever more so loyal, ever more so strong and ever more so righteous. To protect and oversee the Temple. And he placed his trust in them and this trust became their bond and their bond became the source of their overwhelming power. God trusted them to the extent that he could leave the fate of the world, of the universe in their hands. [[next|14b]]

And he trusted, they alone would be enough, capable enough to distinguish and extinguish evil, to stop the path of evil to become all-mighty. He believed the guardians would only allow someone worthy of his trust and belief to become the next Lord to suffer an eternity of sacrifices. And at the end, this new Lord who was ever so benevolent and willing to go through all torture because he believed and truly loved humans, will be guided by God to be blessed with an afterlife worthy of his magnanimous nature in the heavens. So, that was why God was able to lay rest and disappear because he saw in his Guardians a new future they would carve despite their blood and overflowing sadness. [[next|14 b]]

So the guardians also believed in God, in his words and decisions and they blindly followed him to fulfil their mission until one day they'd meet their new Lord and finally can be one with their creator again. Until then nothing and no one could stand in their path, even if the devil snuck himself among humans, wore the face of grace and tainted, twisted all hearts, even then they'd continued to fight and protect what God wanted with all their might, with the last of their breaths- Until then, they would not perish. [[next|14 B]]

So, the eight guardians lived through an eternity of time, witnessing over and over again- with the coming and changing eras how humans were. And they were truly disgusted, and truly understood why God was sick of this world and how he had to endure all of this on his own. Having lived for so long, the Guardians grew tired and wished for the day to come when finally mankind would learn from their mistakes- waiting for the day to come when everything would just... be alright. Yet the day would never appear because in time- foolish mistakes will be repeated over and over again. That was also fate. [[next|15]]

"You thought of the same?" finally one of the two quiet Guardians spoke up. Luci who gave off a dark vibe despite his bright appearance, and his white hair that made him look like a holy angel. "We'll be keeping him here, isn't that the thought everyone simultaneously had?" and Fiona who looked like nature herself, in some way this was the only thing that came to mind to those who looked at her. "Yes," you answered and stepped back from Enet to sit down again. Enet was currently unconscious and relived the past. "We'll have him participate in the Temple, so we can keep him under control." "It makes sense but he'll need a team. Only fours can challenge the Temple," Lydia thought. "I'll take responsibility," you sighed, "I'll be fighting alongside him." "Do you know what that means?" Lydia narrowed her eyes. [[next|15.1]]

"I'm aware of the consequences, I'll be participating as a normal human. So, you guys find the other two members." "That sounds like fun! I'd love to see you struggle!" Timo seemed very excited for this. "You'll lose all your memories if you become human," Anastasia's cold eyes pierced through you. "Yes, but you'll engrave a mission, right? To help him yet to not let him win. He'll think he can become a Guardian if he completes the Temple and-" "And then what?" Fiona stood up angrily, she wasn't fond of the idea. "Fiona dear calm down," Lydia appeased her. "I'm for the idea. This way you might get more info from him about his background. He's an unknown variable," Fabian turned to you. [[next|15.2]]

"And once we find out we can eliminate him. This will keep him in the Temple for a while, while we others find out more. You can do this, right?" You nodded, then laughed, "I'd never thought in all of this time, I'll become a challenger myself." "Haha, I do wonder how you'll act. Maybe you'll stop being such a boring person," Timo was way too excited for this. "You will naturally have to give up your powers too and can only use borrowed ones," Anastasia approached you. "I'm still against it," Fiona blocked Anastasia's way, "Luci thinks the same!" Luci just nodded. "I know you think this is dangerous but this is our only way," Lydia stopped Fiona. [[next|15.3]]

"Shall we start? I will also take care of Enet's memories," Anastasia put her hand on your shoulder, "may fate be on your side, you who dares to challenge the Temple." Golden light with red strands intertwined appeared and it was the last thing you saw before you woke up in front of the Temple- with your teammates Enet, Jonat and Bellia. "C'mon, let's enter!" Enet grinned and pulled you towards the Temple. Right, you met him yesterday night in the market and along with two other members you received the right to enter by the preachers in order to become a God, yet Enet insisted on wanting to become a Guardian, whatever that was, and conquering the Temple was the only way. You couldn't remember anything else but that wasn't important because the Temple was right in front of you. [[Enter|16]]