Haiko hums excitedly as he and his newly formed companion, Mimir. Venture onwards, off the dirt road and on the stone pathway that Mimir has said, leads to a temple not too far off.

Haiko excitedly chuckles, “Just thinking about the idea of going inside a temple and finding things, just feels so exciting!” Haiko gleefully says.

Haiko looks at Mimir floating by his shoulder. “What do you think we’ll find! Oh! maybe some weird looking artifacts or, a pile of treasure, or maybe…” Haiko happily thinks of all the things he could expect to see inside and outside the temple as they continue on.

As Haiko pauses Mimir interjects, “You do understand that we may not be the first ones to be there?” Mimir asks bluntly.

“Hmm…” Haiko ponders over what Mimir said, “True… But, well… you know… we’ll know soon enough!” Haiko shrugs. “Either way, it doesn’t matter to me if it's empty or not. I’m just happy to see something else besides trees and bugs!” Haiko chuckles.

Haiko solemnly smiles as he looks forward, “This actually brings back memories with how my father would take me to his expeditions from time to time…” he says with a meek chuckle. “He would never let me keep what find though…” Haiko sighs.

“Was there any form of magic that operates in your temples?” Mimir asks Haiko.

Haiko thinks, “We don’t have magic in our world so… no, we don’t… as far as I know...” he says as he ponders over his expeditions with his family.

“Were there any self-defensive capabilities placed on those temples?” Mimir asks Haiko again.

Haiko looks at Mimir, “You mean like traps? There were, but simply crumbled in on itself before it got to be used, why? Is there in this one?” Haiko asks Mimir curiously.

Mimir projects a shrug, “Be it wild beasts or temple contraptions, I do not fully know. But the possibility still stands nonetheless” Mimir bluntly says.

Haiko smiles, “I would actually want to see that!” Haiko chuckles. “Thinking about it makes me feel like that guy who uses a whip and goes in temples and stuff!” Haiko says while motioning his hands mimicking using a whip.

Mimir looks at Haiko, “Did he ran into any trouble?”

“…Well, there’s the occasional traps and other treasure hunters he had to deal with. And sometimes, weird ancient curses. But that’s just in the movies really!” Haiko chuckles as he confidently says.

“Oh good, then you shouldn’t be surprised when it happens to us then” Mimir pompously says.

Haiko laughs, “Yeah! Wait for… what?” he asks Mimir with a nervously concerned look.

Mimir ignores Haiko’s concerned look and repeated questions, as they continue on.

* * * * * * * * *

Sometime later, as the sun nears its peak. Haiko and Mimir emerge from the trees and see the giant ruined temple before them.

Haiko smiles, “Woah! I didn’t think it would be this big!” he says excitedly. “If I were in my world, I’d say this would be some sort of Mayan temple!” he says as he sees the temple made with giant grey stones covered in greenery and pillars all around and along its pathways.

Mimir sends out his drones to scan the area. “…The entrance should be just around over there...” he says as he looks at the direction where it is.

Haiko follows Mimir towards the entrance, admiring the stone works laid out on the temple's exterior and along the pathway.

As they reach the entrance, Haiko looks in awe at how massive it is and crouches down and looks around. “I don’t think anyone’s here, no signs that this place’s been touched as well or…” Haiko pauses as he sees something shine inside.

Haiko curiously goes closer to the shining object. “Oh…?” He says with a curious tone as he picks up the shining object.

“A hel-?!” Upon lifting the helmet and turning it around, Haiko sees a skull still tucked inside.

Haiko sternly looks at the thing he's holding, and looks around and sees the other charred skeletons scattered at the entrance. Along with many of what Haiko thinks are dark reflective large chunks of rocks.

Haiko puts down the helmet with a skull. Haiko sighs, “…Well, these guys been here for a while now,” he says as he picks up one of the large dark rocks. Haiko wryly chuckles as he looks closer at the dark shiny rock.

Haiko looks at Mimir, “Hey Mimir… Umm… are dragons a thing here? or perhaps just really big reptiles?” he asks with a meek chuckle.

Mimir releases a drone to visualize what he says. “It is not uncommon for temples to have certain guardians placed on them. Dragons or any Gigantic scaled creatures are often placed for their obvious traits. To name a few, these are; Deadly, Agile, Intelligent, Relentless, and most importantly, Loyal” Mimir says seemingly excited by this information.

Haiko wryly chuckles, “Thanks… Good to know… hopefully it isn’t home or, alive…” Haiko looks at the massive scale on his hand and the others like it scattered throughout the entrance. “Much as I want to see this creature, which I hope it is and isn’t a giant winged lizard… But, can’t say I’m keen to meet it after seeing all these crisp friends here…” Haiko says as he drops the giant scale and chuckles wryly.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Mimir’s drones from the outside return to Mimir. “I did not find any other signs of life anywhere. I did find magical anomalies coming from all around the area while centering the source from the center of this temple” he says as he uses his eye to light up the path ahead further inside the temple.

Haiko sighs in relief, “Good-good… as long as we're the only ones here…” Haiko smiles.

“For now, that is” Mimir bluntly says as he moves ahead.

Haiko blankly stares at Mimir as he moves ahead of Haiko. “Great pep talk buddy…” Haiko says as he follows Mimir.

As Haiko gets in front of Mimir. Mimir pauses for a moment and looks back outside the entrance.

Haiko curiously looks at where Mimir is looking, “What? You see something?”

Haiko sees one of Mimir’s drones return to him. Mimir looks onward, “Let’s continue on...” he says as he lights up the way again.

Haiko tilts his head curiously at Mimir, but decides to just leave it be.

* * * * * * * * *

Moving inside the temple was straight forward as there were no other paths but forward. Along the way, Haiko sees more charred skeletons and dark scales getting less and less as they go deeper. Much to both of his discomfort and relief.

Haiko looks back at where they came from, “Is it just me or I feel like we’re not alone here…” he says as he looks around.

“I see no one but us” Mimir says continuing forward.

Haiko sighs, “I hope so… I feel like some of these guys will come back to life or something…” Haiko says nervously as he walks past and looks at the charred bodies.

* * * * * * * * *

Finally reaching the center of the temple, Haiko and Mimir find a huge gaping hole. Haiko crouches down near it, as Mimir sends a drone down.

Haiko picks up a rock near him and lets it drop in the hole. “1… 2… 3… 4…” Haiko stops counting as he hears the rock reach the bottom. “That’s a long way down…” he says as he carefully peaks down.

Haiko moves back and stands, as he looks around the large circular area. “I wonder what this temple was used for anyway…” Haiko says as he looks at the chiseled marks on the walls.

A small amber haired girl with a huge leather-like backpack daintily walks out of the shadows and crouches near the hole. “This temple was used as a teleporter back in its time during the great war. Later on, well just a few moons ago some mages tried using it to summon something. But that ended up getting them killed…” she says as she looks down with her aviator like goggles.

Haiko looks blankly at the girl carrying a huge backpack on her back with no issues as she continues to look down the hole. “I see… Umm…” he says as he blankly stares at the girl.

Haiko looks at Mimir, “I believe she counts as a life form don’t you think…?” he says to Mimir sternly.

Mimir scans the girl who continues to just do her own thing. “I cannot seem to detect her in any way other than another magical anomaly” Mimir states to Haiko.

The girl looks at both Mimir and Haiko, and smiles. “You can’t because of Silfy here!” she says proudly as a white ferret with a red gem on her forehead pops out of her backpack. “My apologies. But I had her hide ourselves to try and see what you two were doing…” she says as she stands up and removes her goggles, revealing her green-lime like eyes.

The girl crosses her arms, “Furthermore, I want to know why in Niviru is a SHADOW of all things, is walking around with an immensely powerful aura!” she says concerningly.

Haiko tilts his head, “So this world is called Niviru…” he thinks to himself. Haiko looks back at the girl. “And who might you be?” Haiko asks the girl calmly.

The girl smirks, “Who am I? hmph… I see, I am in disguised so I understand…” she chuckles. “Listen, you may be surprised to know. But I am the greatest witch in all of Niviru! Felice Noviche! And my lovely friend here is Silfy as I said,” she says proudly with a childish grin. “I understand that my current form will make it hard to believe, you just have to take my word for it!” she says with a smile.

Haiko crosses his arms. “Well, my na-” before Haiko could speak Mimir cuts him off.

“Please call me Mimir and my companion as Ze-” Before Mimir could finish Haiko covers his face.

“Haiko! Call me Haiko, Haiko Kyouske in full that is!” Haiko hurriedly says as he lets go of Mimir.

Felice tilts her head in confusion. “…Kyouske?” she murmurs to herself as she then smiles, “Nice to meet you mister Haiko and Mimir!” she then looks at Mimir. “Say Mimir, what is a drone like you from Civel doing way out here with a shadow?” she asks curiously.

Haiko looks curiously at Mimir, “Civel?”

Mimir shakes his head at Felice, “Clarification, I am not from Civel. And I act as the guide for my companion Haiko here” Mimir says as he looks at Haiko.

Felice smirks, “A guide that lets his companion walk around and attract every known power-hungry beast all around Niviru?” she cynically asks.

Mimir prompt, “¯\_(─_─)_/¯” as he then speaks, “Wasn’t my intention to do so, I do have a method to conceal him though” Mimir bluntly says to Felice.

Haiko tilts his head at Mimir, “If you knew! Why didn’t you say anything?” Haiko asks as he glares at Mimir.

Mimir looks at Haiko, “You didn’t ask” he says bluntly and looks back at Felice and ignoring Haiko’s blank menacing stare.

Haiko sighs then looks at Felice. “How about you Felice, what brought you here?”

Felice taps on a gem in her wristwatch-like tool. “A few days ago, there was this large burst of concentrated power somewhere near within this area…” she says as she shows a projection of a map from her special wristwatch tool. “Whatever it was, it riled up some of the beasts around this temple and some of the folks nearby have been worried about it since…” Felice shrugs.

“But I’ve already known and told most of them that wouldn't be possible as the guardians within this temple are already long gone…” Felice ponders, “Well some idiotic group did try to bring them back, but I already told you how that ended…” She says as she looks at one of the charred skeletons.

Felice chuckles as she looks at the pile of bones, she then looks at Haiko. “…My idea is that some dormant hidden guardian messed with their summoning ritual and pretty much got out and eviscerated all these poor fools…” Felice sighs, “And where that guardian went you ask? probably somewhere where that power surge happened…” she looks at Haiko sternly.

Felice pets Silfy as she speaks. “Then we come to me. I was just around town when this all happened. So, when I heard, I just had to take a look for myself as no one wanted to!” Felice says with a cheeky smile. “But, I never thought I would find a peculiar shadow with an odd-looking drone. Flaunting his unnatural powerful aura. As if saying here I am and eat me!” Felice chuckles.

Haiko wryly chuckles. As he looks blankly at Mimir, to which Mimir just looks away in reply.

Felice chuckles, “I suggest you should apply your concealer now, unless you want to further attract attention to yourselves!” Felice says with a gentle smile.

Mimir looks back at Haiko, “I suggest you return to your first form then” he says to Haiko.

“Why?” Haiko asks Mimir curiously.

Mimir simply explains, “I did not make one for your second form as of yet”

Haiko nods and changes to his tiny form. “…Okay, now what?” Haiko asks looking up at Mimir. Then notices Felice, who’s crouched down to his level, and Silfy staring shockingly at him.

Felice looks in awe at Haiko, “H-how… DID YOU DO THAT?!” she asks loudly and excitedly straight at Haiko’s face knocking him over.

Felice excitedly stands up and fiddles with her wristwatch tool. “I’ve never heard of shadow doing that. Could it be some unknown trick shadows are tricksters in nature? So, any documents of them are a bit obscured, especially when they are most likely avoided… But… you,” Felice looks at tiny Haiko with Mimir floating down his level. “A shadow with a name and a familiar… wait, how about…” Felice then snaps her fingers and her goggles materialize over her head covering her eyes.

Felice gasped as she sees the data on her goggles as she looks at tiny Haiko. “THISISTHEGREATESTFINDINTHEWHOLEHISTORYOFNIVIRUEVERSINCETHEWARENDEDTHOUSANDSOFYEARSAGO!!” Felice says in one breath as she laughs in excitement.

“Ahh… say that again?” Haiko says as he stands back up on his two nubby legs.

Mimir floats near Haiko, “I believe she said; ‘this is the greatest find in the whole history of Niviru ever since the war ended thousands of years ago!!’” Mimir says while mimicking Felice’s voice

Felice looks at Mimir, “…Even you!” she says excitedly as she looks at Mimir. Felice then looks back at Haiko with her goggles and begins to shiver in excitement.

Haiko sees Felice seemingly frozen in excitement. A second later, Mimir releases a few tiny orbs of light that makes a small white hoodie over Haiko.

Haiko takes a look at his new attire. “I guess this is my concealer? Not bad, I like it!” he says pleasingly to Mimir. “So, Fel-!” as Haiko looks at Felice. He sees her glowing a bit purple as she plunges at him like a hungry cat.

As Felice snags Haiko, a small smoke cloud appeared. Blocking Haiko’s vision for a moment. As he then feels the tight embrace of a woman with massive bosoms, even more for Haiko’s tiny form. “…GAH!” Haiko screams as the woman further tightens her embrace.

Haiko struggles to get free, “Breathing… Air… please!” Haiko pleads to whoever was holding him.

“Oh! My apologies dear!” The woman embracing Haiko says with a motherly voice as she let’s go of Haiko.

Haiko breathes heavily as he stands back on the ground. And looks back at the woman with incredible proportions. “…Felice?” Haiko asks, noticing the woman having the same colored hair, longer in comparison, and the same green-lime like eyes.

The bodacious looking Felice without her backpack and with somewhat similar-looking clothes, albeit more revealing. Looks at Haiko with a seductive smile, “Apologies my dear, but I just couldn’t contain myself after showing me such immense power!” She says with a chuckle and Silfy popping out her shoulder.

Felice stands up and reaffirms herself. “It was not in my expectations at all that you had the ability to change forms! I thought you just had to put a layer of magic over yourself as would most concealing magic do!” Felice coughs. “Apologies, let me reintroduce myself,” Felice smiles. “I am Felice Noviche and this is my true figure! One of the descendants of the founders of magic!” Felice says with a bow.

“Umm… Yeah, nice to meet you…” Haiko awkwardly says not knowing where to look.