The day was finally bright enough to reveal the surroundings, the heavy canopy of leaves swaying gently with the breeze above. The early morning air held a coolness that promised a brief respite from the oppressive humidity that would inevitably return once the sun climbed higher. Erik found himself in a part of the temple complex he had not yet visited, an open courtyard nestled between looming stone buildings, their carvings depicting scenes of conflict, power, and dark rituals. Each carving seemed to writhe with the energy it captured, the stone seeming to pulse with a life of its own under the light of dawn.

  Several small fires were lit around the courtyard, surrounded by low stone benches and simple wooden tables. Cultists, still in their crimson robes but relaxed now, sat around the fires, sharing food and drink. The scent of roasted meat, heavy spices, and something slightly sweet carried in the air, making Erik’s stomach growl despite himself.

  Erik lowered himself onto one of the benches, the heat of the fire immediately warming his chilled skin. He nodded at a nearby cultist, a young man with a gaunt face and hollow eyes. The cultist hesitated, then offered him a wooden bowl filled with a thick, steaming stew.

  "Thanks," Erik muttered, taking the bowl.

  The smell was rich and enticing, though he didn’t want to think too deeply about the meat it contained.

  The courtyard was bustling with hushed conversations, the cultists speaking in low tones, casting the occasional glance at Erik. He could hear snippets of their chatter

  talk of "the ritual,"

  whispers about "Dominion,"

  and once, the phrase

  "The prophecy for told by the Great One."

  It was clear that his presence, and the events of the previous day, had caused a stir among them.

  Erik looked down at the runes carved into the edge of the stone bench beneath him. Their intricate patterns twisted and wound into one another, forming shapes that seemed to shift when he wasn’t looking directly at them. He reached out, tracing the lines with his fingertips. There was a faint hum of energy, a resonance that made the hair on his arms stand on end.

  He leaned closer, studying the runes. They were unlike any he had seen before.

  "Fascinating, aren’t they?" a voice interrupted his thoughts

  a smooth, deep voice that seemed to hold both authority and amusement. Erik looked up to find Dominion standing over him, his face obscured by the deep hood of his robe, only the faint glimmer of his lifeless eyes visible in the shadows.

  "Yeah," Erik replied, pulling his hand away from the runes.

  "What are they? They feel... different."

  Dominion paused for a moment, then settled himself onto the bench beside Erik. He turned his gaze to the runes, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

  "These runes," he began, his voice low,

  "are part of the temple's enchantment. They conceal us; from the world, from those who might seek to interfere with our work here. They are very old, from a time before the current magical kingdoms were established."

  "Old magic?" Erik asked, trying to keep his tone casual.

  But something about the runes unnerved him, as though they were watching him, waiting.

  Dominion nodded, though there was a slight tilt to his head,

  "Indeed. They are what protect us, what allow us to carry out our purpose without intrusion. But they do more than that. They also... enhance certain aspects of the magic we practice here."

  "Like the ritual," Erik said, a statement more than a question.

  Dominion inclined his head, his eyes locking on Erik’s for a long moment before he replied.

  "Precisely. But you needn’t concern yourself too much with such matters. What is important is that you understand the power that resides within you."

  Erik held his gaze for a moment longer, then nodded, returning to his food. Dominion had a way of speaking in riddles, giving just enough information to satisfy curiosity without ever fully answering the question. It was both intriguing and frustrating. As Erik finished his bowl of stew, a movement caught his eye, someone approaching from across the courtyard.

  She stood out among the cultists, her clothing a mix of leather armor and loose, dark fabric that allowed for easy movement. A sword hung at her hip, and there was a sharpness to her gaze that immediately put Erik on edge. She was tall, her posture confident, with long, dark hair braided back and piercing green eyes that seemed to take in everything around her.

  Dominion stood as she approached, his head bowing slightly in greeting.

  "Erik," he said, turning to him,

  "this is Vesper. She newly arrived and has agreed to assist in matters concerning your... training."

  Vesper’s eyes flicked to Erik, studying him intently. Her gaze was calculating, as though she were assessing his every weakness, every strength. Erik shifted under her scrutiny, setting the empty bowl aside and standing to meet her.

  "Vesper," he said, nodding. "Nice to meet you."

  She didn’t return the greeting, her eyes narrowing slightly.

  "So, you’re the one Dominion has been speaking of," she said, her voice smooth but with an edge that made Erik uneasy.

  "The one with the demon."

  Erik tensed, but before he could respond, Dominion stepped between them, his tone calm.

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  "Vesper, remember that Erik is our guest here. He is under my protection."

  Vesper’s gaze didn’t waver, but she nodded, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her lips.

  "Of course," she said.

  "I only meant to understand what kind of man I’m dealing with."

  Dominion turned back to Erik, his tone gentler now.

  "Vesper is a highly skilled magic user with swords and comes from somewhat of an unconditional background. She will be working with you, helping you understand and control your abilities. I expect you to learn much from her."

  Erik nodded, though he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to Vesper than Dominion was letting on.

  "Well," he said, "I suppose I could use all the help I can get."

  Vesper raised an eyebrow, her gaze still sharp.

  "We shall see," she said, her tone enigmatic.

  Dominion gestured for them to sit, and the three of them settled around the fire. A cultist approached, offering them each a drink, an amber liquid in simple clay cups. Erik took his, sniffing it cautiously before taking a sip. The taste was sharp, slightly bitter, with an undertone of sweetness that lingered on his tongue.

  "Wine made from the shadow berries," Dominion explained, his voice soft.

  "It is rare, found only in these lands. It is said to enhance the senses, to allow one to see beyond the veil of the mundane."

  Erik took another sip, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. He set the cup down, his gaze drifting to the other cultists in the courtyard. Many of them were watching him, their expressions unreadable.

  Vesper leaned back, her eyes still on Erik.

  "Tell me," she said, her voice casual,

  "what do you think of this place? Of the people here?"

  Erik hesitated, then shrugged.

  "It’s... different. Not like anything I’ve seen before. The runes and the design here feels... different”

  Vesper nodded, a hint of approval in her gaze.

  "It is old. Very old. The people here are dedicated, willing to give everything for the cause. Not many have that kind of conviction."

  Erik frowned, glancing at Dominion.

  "And what exactly is the cause?"

  Dominion smiled, though there was something cold in it.

  "Balance"

  Erik studied him for a moment, then nodded, though he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to it than that. He turned his gaze back to Vesper.

  "And you?" he asked. "What brings you here?"

  Vesper’s expression didn’t change,

  "I go where I am needed and support various temples of different sects… even ones of death," she said simply.

  "For now, that means here."

  The answer was vague, and Erik couldn’t help but feel as if he was surrounded by Riddler’s, Dominion stood, his robe flowing around him like a shadow.

  "It is time for you to rest, Erik," he said, his tone gentle but firm.

  "You have been through much, and there is still much to do."

  Erik nodded, rising to his feet. He cast one last glance at Vesper, who watched him with an unreadable expression.

  ***

  As Dominion led Erik away from the courtyard, they passed under a series of stone arches carved with even more of those strange, flowing runes. Each arch was different, the symbols shifting in style and intensity, but they all shared a sense of heaviness; a weight that seemed to press down on Erik as they moved beneath them. He couldn’t help but reach out, brushing his fingers against the stone. The magic that flowed through the runes was cold, a chilling pulse that made his skin prickle.

  "So cold" Erik said, his voice low.

  He couldn’t shake the feeling that they were watching him, that they were aware as he pulled his hands back.

  Dominion paused for a moment mid stride, his eyes shifting to the arches above them before returning to Erik.

  Erik frowned, glancing back at the courtyard, where the cultists continued their hushed conversations, their eyes occasionally drifting to the runes.

  "What kind of magic runes through these runes?" he asked.

  Dominion smiled, a cold, almost imperceptible curl of his lips.

  "The kind that allowed us to save your life" he said simply, before turning and continuing down the corridor.

  As they moved deeper into the temple, the architecture began to change. The stone walls became smoother, the carvings more intricate. The air grew colder, and the faint scent of incense mixed with something metallic, something that made Erik’s stomach turn.

  They passed through a pair of heavy wooden doors, their surfaces etched with runes that glowed faintly as Dominion pushed them open. The room beyond was dimly lit, the flickering light of a dozen candles casting long, wavering shadows across the walls. A large wooden table stood in the center of the room, covered with maps, scrolls, and various artifacts. Shelves lined the walls, filled with books, jars, and strange, unidentifiable objects.

  Dominion gestured for Erik to sit at the table, then moved to a small cabinet in the corner of the room. He opened it, retrieving a plate of bread, cheese, and dried meat, as well as a pitcher of water.

  "Eat," Dominion said, setting the plate in front of Erik.

  "You need your strength."

  Erik nodded, though his appetite had waned with the cold, oppressive air of the room. He picked up a piece of bread, chewing slowly as he glanced around the room. The shelves were filled with artifacts; small statuettes, vials of strange-colored liquids, and a number of scrolls that looked ancient, their edges frayed and yellowed with age.

  "Where are we?" Erik asked after a moment, his gaze drifting back to Dominion, who had seated himself across from him.

  Dominion leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Erik.

  "This is the Temple Room of Vraekhar, one of the few remaining sanctuaries dedicated to the ancient ways. It is a place of power, a place where we can practice without interference from those who do not understand."

  "Vraekhar?" Erik repeated, the name unfamiliar to him.

  "A name long forgotten by most," Dominion said, his voice tinged with something that might have been regret.

  "Once, it was a place of learning, a sanctuary for those who sought to understand the true nature of magic. But that was a long time ago. Now, it is a refuge; a place where we can continue our work in secret."

  Erik took a sip of water, his eyes narrowing as he considered Dominion's words.

  Erik frowned, setting his cup down.

  "And these people, the ones in red; what do they believe?"

  "They believe in the importance of sacrifice," Dominion said, his tone calm.

  "They understand that power comes at a cost, and they are willing to pay that cost to achieve our goals."

  Erik felt a chill run down his spine at Dominion's words. There was something there that ran afoul in his mind as if a ocean wave hit a retaining stone next to a port city keeping the tide at bay.

  The wooden doors creaking open interrupted Erik's thoughts,

  The door swung open, and Vesper stepped inside, her gaze immediately finding Erik.

  "You look better," she said, her voice neutral.

  Erik managed a small smile, though it felt forced.

  "I feel better. Thanks." Vesper moved to the table, her gaze flicking over the maps and scrolls.

  She picked up one of the artifacts; a small, intricately carved stone and turned it over in her hand, her eyes narrowing slightly.

  "You should eat more," she said, her tone almost absent as she studied the stone. "

  You’re going to need your strength if you’re going to keep up with me."

  Erik raised an eyebrow, glancing at Dominion, who merely smiled.

  "Vesper has agreed to help train you," he said.

  "Training, huh?" Erik said, looking back at Vesper.

  "What kind of training are we talking about?"

  Vesper set the stone down, her gaze locking on Erik’s.

  "The kind that will keep you alive," she said simply.

  "Dominion tells me you have a hidden power in place but lack control?"

  There was a hardness in her eyes, a determination that made Erik uneasy.

  "Right, something like that." Erik said, trying to keep his tone light.

  Vesper didn’t smile. Instead, she turned to Dominion.

  "I’ll need space to work. Somewhere private, away from distractions."

  Dominion nodded.

  "There is a training hall in the lower levels. It should suit your needs."

  Vesper nodded, then looked back at Erik. " We start in an hour."

  She turned and left the room without another word, the door closing with a bit more force then necessary behind her. Erik watched her go, then turned back to Dominion, his brow furrowed.

  "She’s... intense," he said.

  Dominion smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

  "She is dedicated. And has spent many years training those who would be tomorrows leaders."

  Erik nodded, though he couldn’t shake the feeling that Dominion has not shared in all the events that have occurred since Erik arrived at this temple.