The adventurers proceeded through the wide open wooden doors of the temple and as they did, a rush of cool, stale air greeted them, carrying with it the faint scent of ancient secrets. Blue torches flickered to life along the walls, casting eerie shadows that danced and swayed in the dimly lit corridors. The flames emitted an otherworldly azure glow, illuminating the sandy yellow and grey brickwork that lined the passageways.

“Well this isn’t creepy,” quipped Arion.

“Just a bit,” Elara shivered.

“It’s fine, just a bit nippy,” retorted Taria.

With each step deeper into the temple, the air grew heavier, thick with the weight of centuries past.

Bats scattered from their roosts in the rafters, disturbed by the intrusion, their dark forms swooping and darting through the dimly lit halls. The sound of their wings echoed off the ancient stone, adding to the eerie atmosphere of the temple.

“I wonder what’s down here?” Elara wondered.

“A lot of things,” said Taria mysteriously.

“What do you know?” Arion questioned.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Taria walked further forward so she was now leading the group, putting more space between her and the group. It was clear that she didn’t want to divulge what she knew but she also didn’t know these strangers that were questioning her with impudence.

“Naïve fools,” she said under her breath.

“What’s getting her?” Elara whispered to Arion.

“No clue but be on your guard, I have never met anyone like her and I wouldn’t be surprised if she has a very interesting past.” Arion mused.

Elara thought back to her journey and her experiences and acknowledged how much it had shaped her so far.

“I’d not be surprised either,” Elara thought out loud.

As they ventured further, the architecture became more intricate with decorative carvings adorning the walls and columns. Symbols of long-lost civilizations were painted along the surfaces, their meaning lost to time.

The trio reached the end of the foyer that they had been proceeding down, their eyes drawn to a massive stone door adorned with intricate symbols. Above the door, the three distinct icons of the gods are carved into the stone, each pulsating with a faint ethereal glow.

“This is interesting,” Arion stroked his beard. “I wonder what this is about?”

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Taria tried pushing the stone door with her shoulder with a slight run up.

“Ow,” she said deadpan.

“So brute force won’t do it, how about magic I wonder.”

Arion sent a bolt of light from his staff into the door, which caused it to rebound back at the travellers.

“Duck!” Arion shouted, as they all dropped to the floor and the light bolt, flew down the passageway and out of the open door.

“That was embarrassing,” blushed Arion.

“You think! You almost killed us you idiot!” Taria shouted.

“How was I to know that would happen?” Arion retorted.

“You could have at least used your head,” Taria said angrily. “It’s obvious your magic doesn’t work on things here! Look at the man outside?”

“Good point,” Arion said sheepishly.

“I wonder how we’re going to get past this door?” Elara thought out loud, secretly trying to change the subject so that her companions would stop bickering.

"What about these doors?" Arion gestured toward the two wooden portals flanking the passage leading to the stone door. Above the left door, intricate carvings depicted scenes of cosmic harmony and balance, with the moon and sun engaged in a celestial dance amidst the stars. On the right door, symbols of growth and renewal intertwined with vines and trees, indicating Nature's influence on the passageway beyond. The trio approached the doors, their curiosity mounting with each step as they delved deeper into the mysteries of the temple.

"Well, I'm taking this door, you can both do what you want," Taria concluded as she took a step towards the door to the right and made to open it.

"What makes you think that we don't want to go down that door?" Arion responded. Elara found herself intrigued by his inclusion of her in the decision, appreciating the unspoken acknowledgment of their shared journey. Being part of a team was something she welcomed, especially in their current circumstances.

“I’m taking it and if you want to fight me on it you’re more than welcome to,” Taria drew her bow quicker than the eye could see and pointed it directly at Arion’s face.

“Ok, ok,” Arion took a step backwards with his hands raised. “Can we at least all go together?”

“Who’s going to do the other door then?”

“Can’t we do them together?”

“I don’t want you two cramping my style and besides,” she gestured to the other door with her bow. “It looks like that one needs two people, whereas this one only requires one.”

Arion sighed. He knew she was right but he still thought they should stay together.

“What do you think?” He asked Elara.

“Does it matter?” she asked as she realised that no matter what was behind the doors, she didn’t have magic or any special skill with a bow or a sword.

“Of course it does!” Arion stated indignantly. “You’re part of this group are you not?”

"We're not a group!" Taria cut in sharply. Arion's response was firm yet pleading, his eyes silently urging Taria to be considerate. "In this situation, your input matters just as much as ours."

Before Taria could say anything, Elara interjected,

“I think we should go our separate ways as Taria obviously doesn’t want us around, so who are we to stand in her way.”

“If that is your decision, then I will respect it.” Arion said in a resigned tone.

“If that’s all, I’ll be off then.” Taria chipperly said, lowering her bow. “I’ll see you back here later if you’re still alive as these doors obviously have something to do with that one.” She nodded towards the stone door, her shoulder still throbbing from the shove to it.

“Fine,” Arion said shortly.

Taria swiftly unlatched the wooden door and disappeared down the stairs into the open passageway beyond. "Do you think she'll be alright?" Elara asked, her concern evident in her voice. "Who knows, but let's concentrate on our next moves, okay?" Arion reassured her, his voice steady. The pair approached the left door, feeling the growing bond between them. With a deep breath, they cautiously pushed it open and ventured into the darkness beyond.