Slowly the gates in front of them began rising, just like the previous ones, they moved without any visible mechanism. The only difference being the way they open, lifting themselves up instead of submerging below the land.

“Here we are again” Orisa muttered under her breath as the group proceeded inside the temple’s outer area. Multiple sentinels are lined up from both sides while a commander stands in at the end of the two lines, in front of the temple’s entrance. His whole body is covered in silver and gold armour, while a long dark red cape hangs from his shoulders. Pieces of red cloths are attached to his pauldrons, and are wrapped around his waist, making him stand out even more. His face however, is covered with a helmet, making it harder to visualize the facial appearance.

When looking at him, one might imagine a knight commander, the only missing part being his sword or a spear. Instead, he is holding a long stiff staff, its end equipped with a cleanly cut rectangular piece of stone. While veins of dark green energy run through it, making it slightly glow.

As soon as Orisa saw the commander, she began walking towards him. While the group stayed back, awaiting the command to move.

“Welcome honoured hunter, I hope Ol’ans granted you a safe passage” The sentinel commander spoke, his voice heavy and slightly muffled due to the helmet.

“They indeed have, it is an honour to be here”

“All that are allowed here are chosen to be here”

The sentinel commander then looked over Orisa shoulder and saw the whole group stand together. Seeing Ward and Fraser did not cause him to react, in fact, he did not care about them. Instead, he began observing the rest of the hunters.

“Your warriors must be tired from the long journey. The elders invite you and your group to stay until the ceremony”

“One is a blind fool to deny the invitation from the holy ones. I, as well as my group, will take this gracious invitation.”

“Perfect, please follow me I will show you to your quarters”

These guards look different from the ones we met in the garrison; they have a weird vibe to them. Something is strange about them, and I can feel it. Ward thought as he looked at the sentinels in detail, he then averted his attention and began observing the temple’s outer area.

So this area is pretty much like a defence point, a very strict area it seems. That alien inf ront really reminds of knights, I assume the armour is there to better protect him? Or is it just to show that he is the commander?

…

Now that I look at it, this race really isn’t that advanced. I mean they are able to make tools and form cities but. They are yet to reach a peak of advanced technology as we did. They probably don’t even know what electricity is.

“Ward”

Ward looked over to Fraser, his face still sweating while his breathing now more stable

“Waah dis place?”

“Looks like a temple of some sort, perhaps it's their religious place. Where they pray or something”

“Dem ave religion?”

“Most likely, they are intellectual beings after all. They can believe in powers beyond their existence, just like us”

“Wi fucked aren't we?”

“I don’t know. But I know we have some kind of value to them”

“Dem wudda kill wi, eff datneva it”

“Exactly, as long as we prove useful to them. We survive”

“An ow wi a guh duh that?”

“I will try and communicate with them, and don’t you even try and convince me not to”

“...”

“Be careful den”

“Trust me I will”

The group is now on the move once again, accompanied by sentinel's commander, they slowly begin entering the large temple in front of them

“Hey Faryeha” Zara said as she approached Faryeha

“Hey Zara, you not guarding the prisoners anymore?”

“Nope, the sentinels took over. Apparently, they can “handle” it better” Zara said with little frustration in her voice.

“Oh don’t worry about it, everyone knows it was your idea to bring them here, no one is going to take your credit”

“You almost say it like it’s a bad thing”

“No of course this is a big discovery, but some people disagree of bringing them into a city, especially the one where elders reside.”

“Well it was an order, what can I say about that.”

“Order?”

“Don’t tell anyone I told you but” Zara began talking quietly, almost whispering

“Apparently the elders sent an order to the cap, saying that the alien life must arrive atthe temple asap”

“Is that the reason why we rushed to the city?”

“It should be, I don’t see any other reasons”

“Makes sense. Well, who cares about it anyways. When do you want to train?”

“Train? Umm, probably after all of this is over. I will talk with one of the temple seniors, see if they can give us an area to train”

“Wow look at you, connections all around”

“Just know a lot of people here. Been training in this place for the past ten years.” Zara said with a small chuckle

“Must have been tough”

“It wasn’t too bad really. I still got to go out into the city and all, it was just hard to make friends there”

“Better to be in the hunter's squad, am I right?”

“Oh for sure, I wouldn’t have met you if it wasn’t the case”

“Same here” Faryeha said with a smile

The group has now fully entered into the temple. Large corridors were created inside the temple, allowing large groups of people to move around without issues. There is no need for torches during the day as multiple strips of walls are missing from the temple’s sides, allowing sunlight and fresh air to slip inside the corridors and halls.

Inside the temple, not only are sentinel that guard it are present, but also different workers that have their own jobs and responsibilities. The temple is also equipped with dozens of large rooms for the guests, with its own balconies that overlook the city. Multiple large gardens with ponds are located behind the temple, where priests can meditate and pray in silence.

The temple structure is complex and beautiful. There are three layers of floors in the temple, the bottom layer being the main corridor and the main hall, where the elders gather to discuss important topics.

The middle layer being the living quarters, where rooms, kitchen and balconies are located for guests and staff to use.

And the top layeris the place where the well of life is located, guarded by the strongest and the best of the best sentinels. The third layer is also missing a roof, allowing one to see over the beautiful city and the large jungle.

“So Orisa, tell me more about these aliens” The sentinel commander said, him and Orisa positioned in front of the group, leading them through the corridors. His helmet now taken off and held by his right hand.

“There isn’t much to tell if I am being honest. We haven’t had the time to fully explore their nature and minds”

“Well you must have figured out something”

“Well thanks to Zara, we have”

Orisa paused and cleared her throat.

“From what Zara told me, these aliens are very intelligent. While their bodies are weak and fragile their mind is the complete opposite. They are able to communicate with one another, show emotion and adapt to their surroundings.”

“Okay, what makes you think they are intelligent?”

“From what Zara told me, they process high technology. She also questions how they arrived here. If they created that giant floating bird, that is able to carry hundreds of them, then what else can they do?”

“I see, anything else?”

“No, in the end we are not researches, we are hunters.”

“No no, I understand. Good work”

“...”

“So, how's umm, life...lately”

“Small talk to fill in the void?” he chuckled

“Okay you don’t have to answer” Orisa said as she avoided looking into the commander’s direction

“It’s good, I get to protect the elders with my life and that’s all I could ask for”

“All you could ask for?”

“...”

He sighed and looked down at his feet, trying his best to come up with a suitable answer

“I still miss you Orisa, and you know that. But you also know that we can’t have our relationship while I serve the elders. It's strictly prohibited.”

“No I understand, I know. I will go check how the group is holding up” Orisa said with a brittle voice, before turning around and walking into the group of talking hunters.

“Damn it” The commander mumbled to himself

Meanwhile, Ward and Fraser try their best to analyse the situation. Still tied up they make their way through the long and large corridors, positioned in the middle of the group. Where everyone has a clear vision of them.

“This place is massive” Ward said as he looked around. The large corridor is entirely made out of stone, while the right side has missing strips of walls, allowing sunlight to slip through and light up the whole area. Sounds of birds from the outside,as well as the fresh air, perfectly accompanies the sunlight, making the area even more beautiful and tranquil.

The group’s chatter barely echoes through these corridors, but seeing everyone at peace and not at high alert gives comfort, even for Ward and Fraser.

“This must be their main HQ”

“Yeah, dis place unlike nuhtingwiave seen suh far”

“It’s like a mixture of Mayan and Egyptian temple, the architecture is absolutely phenomenal. I wish places like that existed back on earth”

“Dem did at sum point”

“Yeah until Eos bought the land off the government and built their bases there. I sadly never got the chance to visit those places”

“Ow come?”

“My family rarely had vacations, mom would work till night to pay fathers debts while he himself hid from the authorities and police”

“Muss ave been tought”

“It wasn’t that bad really, my grandfather really helped me out in tough times, and as soon as I hit the age of eighteen, I left for the army”

“Mi si. Well mi it a mi tun now” Fraser said, feeling the obligation of telling how he got in the army, now that Ward shared his past.

“Mi whole famblyinna di army. Itskinda a tradition at this point”

“What if you don’t want to go”

“Yuh ave no choice, dem very strickwid it. Yuhguh or get disowned”

“Disowned, that’s harsh”

“Yeah, mi guess yuhcyasi which option mi choose”

“To be honest I would rather be disowned than be in this shitty situation””

“Yuh get me”

The group then suddenly stopped. Fraser and Ward tilted their bodies from left to right to try and see what caused it. Upon finding a position where they can see what’s ahead, they saw the sentinel commander standing and facing the group.

Behind him, an enormous door is located. Light brown in colour, its materials consist of polished wood and shiny steel. All fitted well enough to make the door seem impenetrable. Among many carved in symbols, the door also seems to possess what looks like a large lock. The lock has six tubes, three from both sides, and two large hand marks located in the centre.

As soon as the group stopped moving, Orisa walked out to the front. Upon seeing her, the commander began talking

“Orisa, I would you, Zara and the prisoners to remain here. Your group will be escorted by the priests to their quarters”

“May I ask the reason?”

“Because that’s what the elders want, now is not the time to be stubborn. The priests will show them the way”

Orisa looked to the side for a moment

“Okay, I will let them know”

Orisa turned around and began loudly speaking to the group, making sure everyone hears her well.

“Hunters! Everyone except Zara is to proceed to the quarters and rest, the priests will show escort you. Take this as a day off. That’s an order”

“Yes Ma’am”

Why would the captain need me? Is it because I was in charge of the prisoners? Zara thought as she jogged from the middle of the group all the way to the front, where the commander and Orisa are standing.

“Captain?”

“Yes Zara, bring the prisoners here and watch over them”

“May I know why?”

“Zara that’s an Order, no questions”

“Of course captain” Zara nodded before running off into now moving group. All of the hunters are being led to their quarters by priests. Priests vary in ranks, ranging from white attire as being level one to red and green, being level two and three.

“Where is everyone going?” Ward asked

“Mi nuh kno”

“I was getting used to them as well” Ward said with a laugh before his attention got caught by Zara, jogging towards them.

As soon as she was in front of them, she grabbed the rope and began leading them to the large doors in front, where Orisa and the commander standing in wait.

“Here captain” Zara said as she pulled Ward and Fraser forward

The rest of the group has not fully left the area, leaving eleven people standing in front of the massive door. Among Zara, Ward, Fraser, Orisa and the commander six priests stood by them. Dressing in a different attire when compared to the other priests, they are dressed in long black robes while their arms are hidden within the large sleeves.

“Zara” The commander began speaking

“Sir?”

“We, including you, will enter through this door. I am positive that you are aware of what is inside”

“I indeed do” Zara said without changing her facial expression. Keeping it straight and serious.

“The reason for you being there is because you are most familiar with the aliens. They will want to hear about your discoveries”

“I will do my best”

“Perfect! Open the door!” The commander demanded

Almost instantly the priests took their positions, three priests lined up to the right of the commander while the rest on the left, ready on his command. The commander, as well as the priests, stood in front of the gates, their hands pressed together while the eyes are closed shut.

Together all seven stood still, concentrating on their energy.

Then Ward and Fraser noticed something they couldn’t describe. Thick lines of light green energy began emerging from the priest's backs, slowly but surely making their way towards the lock’s tubes in front of them. The commander, however, has a different visual energy, it is darker in colour and the end of it take a shape of hands. After a few seconds, the hands now have taken a more vivid shape and began making their way to the imprint above the tubes.

As soon as the hands pressed against the imprint and all the priests attached their energy lines to the tubes, invisible vines began glowing on the door and with a loud clonk, the lock unlocked itself. The door slowly began opening by itself and the group was now able to proceed inside another long corridor that leads into the unknown.

“Wah di fuck mi did just si” Fraser quietly whispered

“I-I don’t know, but whatever is ahead. I don't have a good feeling about it”