The light indicating the goddess's location on the map guided them deeper into the forest. The path grew narrower, the trees thicker, and the light dimmer as the sun began its descent.

As nightfall approached, they reached the spot on the map. The forest here was even darker, the trees almost seeming to lean in, as if guarding a secret.

They dismounted their horse and began searching for an entrance, but the dense undergrowth and twisting roots made it difficult.

"This place gives me the creeps," Zack muttered, his eyes darting around nervously. "Are you sure there's something here?"

Lilith ignored his comment, her attention focused on the map and the area around them.

She walked slowly, her eyes scanning the ground, looking for any sign of an entrance. Adrian did the same, his hand occasionally brushing against the hilt of his sword, ready for anything.

They searched for what felt like hours, their frustration growing as they couldn't locate the entrance. The map indicated they were right on top of it, but there was no visible sign of a doorway, no hidden lever, no magical aura to guide them.

Then, just as they were about to give up and reassess their strategy, Zack, who had been wandering nearby, called out. "Hey, is the entrance supposed to look like a symbol on the ground?"

Adrian and Lilith exchanged a glance before rushing over to where Zack stood. He was pointing at the ground, where a faint, circular symbol was etched into the earth, barely visible beneath the layer of leaves and dirt.

The symbol was ancient, worn down by time, but unmistakable—a seal, radiating with a faint, pulsating energy.

"This is it," Lilith said, convinced. She knelt beside the symbol, brushing away the dirt with her hand, revealing more of the intricate design. "The entrance is sealed. This symbol... it's a key of sorts."

Zack watched, a mixture of awe and unease in his eyes. "What now? Do we just... step on it?"

Lilith gave him a sidelong glance and a wry smile. "Good luck with that."

Adrian looked at her, puzzled. "You're not coming?"

Lilith shook her head in a serious expression. "I can't, even if I wanted to. No goddess is allowed into the domain of another. It's a form of territorial respect—ancient rules that even we must abide by."

Adrian frowned, processing her words. "So, I have to do this alone?"

Lilith nodded. "Yes. But you're not entirely alone. My sister will sense your presence, and she'll guide you once you're inside."

Adrian glanced down at the symbol, then back at Lilith. He could see the concern in her eyes, but there was also trust—trust in him, in his abilities. He took a deep breath and nodded, stepping forward to stand over the symbol.

"Take care of him," he said to Lilith, nodding towards Zack, who looked like he was trying to disappear into the shadows.

Lilith smirked. "Don't worry. I'll keep him in line. And be careful of the beast guarding her tomb. My best guess is... it's the Minotaur," she said the last part in a whisper.

Lilith used the next minute explaining all she knew about the minotaur, with Adrian taking mental notes.

With one last look at Lilith after she was done, Adrian focused on the symbol beneath his feet.

The moment he stepped onto it, he felt a surge of energy, the ground beneath him trembling slightly as the seal began to glow brighter. The light enveloped him, and the world around him dissolved into a blinding white.

When the light faded, Adrian found himself in an unexpected predicament—freefalling through a vast emptiness.

Panic surged through him as he flailed his arms, desperately searching for something to grab onto, but there was nothing—no ground, no sky, just an infinite void.

The sensation of falling seemed endless. Adrian instinctively braced himself, putting his hands out in front of him, expecting to collide with solid ground at any moment.

But the impact never came. He kept plummeting, the sensation dragging on far longer than it should have. Minutes passed—first one, then five, then ten—and still, Adrian was freefalling.

His mind raced.

This can't be right, he thought, forcing himself to stay calm despite the rising terror. I should've hit the ground by now.

The logic nagged at him, breaking through his fear. If he were truly falling, he would have reached the bottom by now. Unless...

Adrian narrowed his eyes, focusing on the void around him. The thought struck him suddenly. This isn't real. It's an illusion—a trap.

Determination replaced fear as he closed his eyes and centered himself. Maybe if I can see beyond this illusion, it would break it.

He slowed his breathing, concentrating on visualizing solid ground beneath him. The sensation of falling began to fade, replaced by a deep, steady calm.

"Break," he muttered, his voice steady with resolve. The world around him shimmered as if responding to his will, and then the illusion shattered like glass.

Adrian landed on solid ground with a thud, the sudden stop jarring him but not causing any real harm. His senses immediately assaulted by the dense, earthy aroma of damp soil and decaying leaves. He quickly brushed himself off and stood, taking in his surroundings.

Before him stood the entrance to the ruined temple, a massive structure that seemed to rise from the very heart of the forest, ancient and foreboding.

The temple's entrance was flanked by two massive stone pillars, their surfaces carved with exquisite sculptures representing conflicts and ceremonies from a bygone era.

The engravings, despite being weathered by time, retained a sense of power, as if they were possessed with the spirits of the warriors and deities they represented.

Vines and moss clung to the pillars like stubborn memories, their tendrils twisting in and out of the carved stone, giving it an eerie, abandoned feel. The temple seemed to rise out of the earth itself, towering above him with a sense of foreboding.

Above the entrance stood a tall archway, and on the keystone was a faded depiction of an ancient goddess, which pulsed with a soft light that was almost invisible.

The entry was made of stone walls that were cracked and falling apart in some places, but they still held in place, as if defying the passage of time.

The entire structure seemed to be both appealing and repelling, inviting the brave people to enter while also warning them of the dangers within.

Adrian approached cautiously, his eyes scanning the temple's entrance. The door was ajar, a faint light flickering within, casting long shadows on the ground. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying vegetation, and the faint rustling of leaves filled the silence.

"Well, that was a neat trick," Adrian muttered to himself, his voice echoing slightly in the stillness. "Let's see what else this place has in store."

With that, he stepped inside the temple, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword.

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