Kael woke up the next morning to find Lyra dressed and waiting by the window. She was looking out at the quiet town, lost in thought. When Kael stirred, she turned to him, her face lighting up with a gentle smile.

"Good morning," she said in a soft voice. Then she handed him a cloak that matched hers. "I got this from the shop. It'll help you fit in more."

Grateful, Kael took the cloak. "Thanks," he said, still groggy from sleep.

Lyra then offered him a weapon. "And take this too," she added, giving Kael a blade.

He recognized it immediately. It was the same weapon Lyra had sharpened right before they had arrived in Duskwillow.

"Isn't this one yours?" Kael asked, surprised.

With a reassuring smile, Lyra replied, "It's fine. I rarely used it since I have my Shadow Blade. That's all I need."

Understanding the importance, Kael accepted the blade without further questions. It was essential for what was coming. "Thank... you."

Lyra's smile was warm and sincere. Even though she was a fierce warrior, she seemed as gentle as anyone Kael knew at that moment. Her kindness was enchanting.

Lyra and Kael were striking figures who had a way of capturing attention. As they stood together, Lyra noticed Kael's lingering gaze and couldn't help but check in on him, “Are you okay?”

Caught off guard, Kael stumbled over his words, feeling embarrassed. He quickly nodded, assuring her that he was fine.

Lyra's response was a light chuckle, finding the situation slightly amusing. “Then, let’s move on. We can pick up some dried rations from the shops and grab a few other essentials for our journey. Especially clothes.”

However, before Kael could even replied, she shared something intriguing she had learned from the villagers. “I was told there's a temple nearby, one that belongs to the era of Titans. It’s apparently guarded by the Divine Chosen of Thalios.”

“Do you think we should check it out?” Kael asked.

Lyra confidently nodded, saying, “It’s worth a try. Though we're unsure if we'll find anything related to the Legendary Titans, it’s a start.”

Right after saying that, Lyra once again looked out of the window. She seemed lost in thought for a moment. The quietness of the place puzzled her; it was unusually calm for such a typically lively spot.

“Is everything alright?” Kael asked.

Lyra nodded. “I believe so. So, do you think we should check on the temple?”

Kael, ever supportive, flashed a bright smile. “I'm up for anything. It might lead us to clues about Oranos.”

His enthusiasm was more than just an adventure spirit. Kael slowly embraced his destiny as Oranos’s heir and felt a growing responsibility. He was keen on gaining strength and freeing Uncle Gregor, Aunt Rhea, Amna, and the villagers from Rasmund’s oppression.

"Then we’re set. Let’s go," Lyra declared confidently.

As they made their way down to the inn entrance, Kael was overcome by an unsettling feeling. The town had been unusually silent the previous evening, and now, the atmosphere was charged with an almost tangible tension. Clearly, something was amiss.

"You sense it, too?" Lyra asked, picking up on his discomfort.

Kael responded with a nod. "It was eerily quiet," he agreed.

"Let's be extra cautious then," she advised.

Just as they were about to leave, the innkeeper hurried over to them, looking noticeably worried.

He quickly glanced around before leaning in to speak softly. "I wouldn't leave now if I were you," he cautioned, his voice filled with urgency. "The Divine Chosen are out and about this morning. They're on the hunt for girls or women to abduct, and they're not particular about how they go about it."

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A shiver ran down Kael's spine upon hearing this. Despite his fear, he asked, "Why do they abduct them?"

When the innkeeper responded, his face twisted with a visible disgust. "The Divine Chosen are followers of King Rasmund, who is believed to be chosen by Thalios, the God of Dust. Every action of them was said because of the Divine mission.”

He looked at Kael and Lyra, “They abduct women and take them to the ancient temple ruins outside our town. At these ruins, the women are brutally mistreated. They do this to desecrate the temple and erase all traces of the Titans. This temple is now a place where their evil deeds are committed."

Lyra managed to remain composed, yet Kael spotted a hint of anger in her eyes as she questioned, "Why would they do such a thing?"

"The King, despite being human, has been tainted by Thalios's sway, which is both insidious and complicated," revealed the innkeeper. "Under Thalios's influence, the King's malevolence knows no bounds. His Divine Chosen, acting as conduits of his desires, takes pleasure in carrying out his commands. They do not shy away from exploiting their power for their own corrupt indulgences."

The innkeeper then warned Lyra, "You're a beautiful young lady, which makes you a potential target for them."

Kael felt a wave of disgust wash over him. The mere thought of what these individuals could do, especially against someone like Lyra, made his stomach churn. “Let’s wait for a while. I do not want to take any risk.”

Suddenly, the inn's door was blown to pieces, disintegrating into a cloud of dust. A group of Divine Chosen swaggered in, their entrance shocking everyone inside. The inn's patrons, taken aback by their sudden appearance, began to tremble in fear.

A tall man, who appeared to be their leader by the way he positioned himself at the forefront, entered with a sleazy grin. He wasted no time setting his sights on Lyra, giving her a predatory look. "Well, what do we have here? I heard a beautiful woman was staying here, but she’s even more stunning than I expected," he remarked, his gaze fixed on her.

Kael's stomach twisted into a knot as he watched more members of the Divine Chosen follow their leader into the building, pulling along two visibly distressed women.

Kael's anger surged upon seeing their unkempt looks and faces streaked with tears, especially when he noticed the disgusting, proud expressions worn by the Divine Chosen.

“Is this the one?” sneered a man, his gaze fixed on Lyra as he pushed a boy forward. The boy nodded quickly.

“You!” Kael was taken aback as he spotted the boy from the alley, now standing sheepishly behind them, guilt evident in his eyes.

“What are you doing, kid? Why are you doing this?!” Kael exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief.

He couldn’t fathom that the boy he had felt sorry for just a day before would betray them in such a way. The urge to reprimand the boy himself surged through Kael.

“I’m sorry… I just want my sister back,” the boy mumbled softly.

“Do you really think they'll bring your sister back to you?” Kael responded with skepticism.

“Enough of this nonsense! Who cares about what you want?” snapped one of the Divine Chosen, abruptly slapping the boy and sending him stumbling to the side.

While Kael felt no compassion towards the boy, unlike the others present, the few patrons in the inn quickly intervened. They rushed to the boy's aid, escorting him from the confrontation.

A man from the Divine Chosen, intimidating in appearance with a sinister grin, moved closer to Lyra. "Why don’t you come with us, sweetheart? We’ll show you a good time," he menacingly offered.

Kael was about to intervene when Lyra, exuding calmness, gently touched his arm, her face the picture of peace. She fearlessly met the gaze of the group's leader. "I’ll go with you, but you have to promise to leave these women alone," she negotiated.

The leader's grin broadened. "How noble of you," he mocked. Then, turning to the other women, he added, "But they're already part of our plan. You’re just an unexpected bonus."

His hands moved over their faces before slowly sliding down to their breasts, squeezing them hard. The women couldn’t help but moan in response.

"Hahaha! See? They're enjoying it too. So, I don't think they'll be siding with you," the leader said.

He then ripped off their tops, exposing their bouncing breasts and the alluring nipples to everyone. Both women were attractive, though still less beautiful compared to Lyra.

The sight of their exposed breasts aroused several men inside the inn who were watching, including the boy. Some of them were discreetly touching themselves, lost in their own pleasure.

Kael was furious, his anger directed at everyone around him. He yelled, "What the hell are you doing?!" His hands were balled into fists at his sides, ready to explode in rage.

Lyra stood beside him, gently holding his arm to stop him from doing anything reckless. She whispered, "It's alright. Let me go with them. I can use this chance to study the temple."

Hearing this, Kael's emotions surged. He was torn between his desire to protect Lyra and his understanding of the significance of her suggestion.

With a strained voice, he responded, "I won’t allow it. I’d rather die fighting than let you go." Although firm in his decision, he was deeply conflicted by the situation.

Lyra shook her head. "Don’t. I’m not that foolish, Kael. The strongest among them isn’t much stronger than I am. I can handle it."

“Hey, hey! Hurry up. If you don’t come with us soon, I will…” the leader paused with a vile smile before continuing, “…kill everyone here.”

Those enjoying themselves suddenly felt a chill as their excitement vanished, and their dicks shrank upon hearing the threat. Their feet trembled, and they urged Lyra to go quickly.

Seeing these selfish people made Kael’s blood boil. He now understood that not everyone deserved to be saved from the gods' grasp.

The leader of the Divine Chosen snapped his fingers, and the men moved to escort Lyra out. Before they could touch her, she stepped forward willingly, her calm demeanor unwavering.

“No need. I’ll follow you guys. Besides, how could I oppose you, the Divine Chosen?” Lyra said with calm confidence.

The leader and the members of the Divine Chosen couldn't help but smile broadly. Lyra’s words seemed to flatter them as though she recognized their superiority.

As she walked by Kael, she subtly nodded at him – a quiet signal that she had a plan.

“Should we eliminate this nuisance?” one of the Divine Chosen asked, nodding towards Kael.

The leader dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand. “Let’s not bother. I'm eager to ‘appreciate’ our captives, particularly her,” he said, his eyes on Lyra.

With a shared look of malicious anticipation, the Divine Chosen led the captives away.