Chapter 71: Sacrifice and Shadows
As Alex limped toward the center of the village with Hati supporting him, they approached a raised white building. It had no windows, only a single door, and its smooth white exterior gave it the look of a sacred place—perhaps a temple. Lightning crackled ominously above it.
Alex asked in an anxious voice, "Hati, are you sure they’re in there?"
Hati nodded once.
Alex took a deep breath, like a man diving underwater, then said as he climbed the stairs, "Let’s go."
The moment they entered, an unnatural darkness swallowed them—thicker than mere shadow, as if the very walls resisted being seen from the outside. Alex cloaked himself and Hati in dark elemental energy, erasing their presence. Then he pushed the inner door open, slowly.
Creeaakk.
The hinges groaned—but their sound was drowned out by a rhythmic chant coming from within:
"Thunder God is great... Thunder God is great..."
The smell of iron and decaying flesh hit Alex like a slap. His expression darkened. They’re in danger.
He slipped inside through the narrow opening—and froze.
A large crowd knelt in devotion before a golden eagle statue, above which stood a massive, lifelike eagle made entirely of thunder. On a raised platform behind it, his friends were strapped down—Meika, Rina, Lyra, and Kaelan—all pale, all smiling eerily, murmuring nonsense into the air.