The two guards slowly moved closer to Aidan as he waited for one of them to make the first move. To Aidan’s surprise, neither had drawn their swords. They seemed intent to fight him bare-handed.

Aidan gripped the stool tightly, his knuckles turning white with anticipation. He aimed for the nearest guard with a wild swing, but they deftly dodged out of the way, their movements fluid and controlled.

The air crackled with tension as they circled, each sizing up the other. Aidan’s heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he prepared for the inevitable clash.

Suddenly, with a burst of speed that took Aidan by surprise, Pig lunged forward, his massive frame barreling towards him like a raging bull. Aidan barely had time to react, ducking to the side as Pig’s momentum carried him past.

Seizing the opportunity, Aidan lunged forward, aiming to grapple with the guard from behind. But before he could make contact, the other guard, whom Aidan had mentally dubbed “Slick,” intercepted him, grabbing his arm and wrenching it behind his back with surprising strength.

Slick’s grip felt like a vice around his arm, sending sharp, shooting pains through his muscles with each twist and turn. Aidan gritted his teeth against the pain, his muscles straining as he fought to break free. The taste of blood filled his mouth, metallic and bitter, as he bit down on his lip in concentration.

Behind them, Pig had recovered from his failed charge and turned to join the fray. His eyes narrowed as he closed in on Aidan. The three became a whirlwind of motion, grappling and wrestling for dominance.

Aidan felt himself slam into the cold stone floor just as the door the two had entered opened. Aidan held his breath as he struggled to get a look at the newcomer.

“What is the meaning of this? Let him up now.” Came a voice that carried power. It had feminine tones, but Aidan felt the raw power in each word. Whoever this was, they were not someone he wanted to fight.

“I’m sorry Priestess. But we can not let this one up. He attacked us. We can not risk your health.” Said Pig as he lowered his head.

Aidan struggled to get up, but Slick had his knee in the middle of his back. He had a million questions now. Where exactly was he? Maybe he should have asked that before he tried to escape. Aidan groaned as he rested his head on the floor. The chill from the stone was starting to creep into his bones.

“I said. Let. Him. Up.” Replied the Priestess. Aidan felt sorry for anyone on the receiving end of an argument with her. Sweat started to bead on his head as he felt pressure pushing onto his body.

The two men stood and bowed before hauling Aidan to his feet. They still held a firm grip on his arms. Aidan lifted his head to look at the Priestess but stopped when Slick grabbed his head and forced him into an odd bow.

“You don’t have the right to look. Keep your head bowed, or we will remove it for you.” Growled Pig into Aidan’s ear.

The Priestess looked at the man before her, turning to Slick and asking. “Who is this man? Why were you three fighting in the temple? You know the punishment for this.”

Slick visibly swallowed as his hand began to shake. “We are sorry Priestess. We were only trying to stop this man, but he armed himself with one of the stools and tried to fight us.”

Aidan’s breath caught in his throat as Pig’s words sank in, his mind racing to find a coherent response. Aidan spluttered, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water, but before he could form a coherent sentence, the Priestess’s commanding voice sliced through the air, cutting off his attempts at explanation.

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“Look at me,” she commanded, her tone brooking no argument. As Aidan reluctantly lifted his head, he found himself trapped by her gaze. It felt as though her eyes bore into his very soul, stripping away his defences and leaving him feeling exposed and vulnerable. Aidan felt like he was drowning in the pressure she exerted, the weight of her scrutiny crushing him beneath its intensity.

But as quickly as it began, the moment passed, leaving Aidan reeling. His heart pounded in his chest, his breath coming in shallow gasps as he struggled to regain his composure.

The Priestess’s gaze lingered for a moment longer before she turned her attention to the guards, her voice cold and authoritative. “This man is the one who Lyra brought in. He is under my protection.”

Both Guards let go of Aidan like he was a burning piece of wood. They both stepped back and kneeled as they spoke together. “We apologise for any offence. Please spare us, Priestess. We will work hard to repay whatever debt you deem acceptable.”

Aidan stared at the two. Pig and Slick were both almost begging not to be punished. The one-hundred-and-eighty-degree flip in their tone and behaviour scared him. He looked back at the Priestess and wished he hadn’t. Her gaze was watching him, almost to see what he would do.

“Ah. ok… Thanks…” Said Aidan, dropping his head in thanks. “But question. Where am I?”

The Priestess slowly made her way around him as her eyes glowed softly. “Hmm… It would seem you are not from around here. Yes. You are in the temple of Valara, the Eternal Sovereign. Goddess of Arvoria.”

Aidan stared at the Priestess in confusion. “What? Valara, who? Am I meant to know who the hell that is, Dammit?” A lightning bolt crackled through the air as he spoke, striking Aidan square in the chest. He staggered backward, stunned by the sudden jolt of electricity coursing through his body.

The Priestess moved with a speed that Aidan questioned should be even possible, closing the distance between them instantly. With a fierce expression, she seized Aidan by the collar, Carrying him backwards before pinning him against the wall that was behind him with an iron grip.

Her eyes blazed with anger, their intensity burning into his own. “How dare you insult the name of Valara, the Eternal Sovereign!” she hissed, her voice low and dangerous. “Show some respect, or suffer the consequences.”

Aidan’s mind reeled, the gravity of his mistake sinking in as he struggled to comprehend the situation. He had somehow, unwittingly offended an entire religion. However, he figured if this was how they reacted. He might not live as long as he hoped. He knew he was in trouble. He was now staring into her eyes as he faced the wrath of her chosen goddess’s representative.

But despite everything he knew he should do, his mind kept thinking about how strong she was. It logically didn’t make sense. No one had any right to be this fucking strong. Aidan cursed his luck. Did the stat system make her this strong? If so, then what was her level? It had to be stupidly high.

“I-I’m sorry,” he stammered, forcing out the words. His voice was barely above a whisper as he struggled to breathe. “I didn’t mean to… I didn’t know…”

But his words fell on deaf ears as the Priestess’s gaze bore into him with unyielding intensity, her fury palpable in the air around them. Her eyes glazed over as she held him off the ground.

“Hmm. Yes, Saint.” The Priestess said to no one as her eyes regained their normal colour. “It would seem that you are not to blame for your comments. You do not know what you say. I will abide by the Saint’s words, but If you dare comment against the goddess again. I will kill you. Now go. leave.”

Dropping him as she turned away, Aidan lay sprawled on the cold stone floor. His senses reeled from the aftermath of the confrontation with the Priestess. The chill of the stone seeped through his clothes, sending shivers down his spine as he lay there, trying to catch his breath. A dull ache spread through his body from the impact, his muscles protesting against the strain of the encounter. ‘What the fuck?’ Screamed Aidan’s thoughts. ‘I haven’t been thrown around like that by anyone since I was little. She makes that moron guard look like a child. It was like I was nothing to her. I was just some bug who annoyed her. I need to get stronger. This will be the last time anyone does that to me.’

Pig and Slick wasted no time coming to his aid as they watched her slam the door, ensuring she was gone before they helped Aidan to his feet.

“You don’t know how lucky you were. Or maybe it was just stupidity.” Slick shrugged. “Follow us, and we will show you the way out. You don’t want to be here if she decides to come back.”