As he reached the threshold of the passageway, he stopped and for a heartbeat, simply stood there.
Then slowly he turned, his eyes scanning the room once more. They didn't stop on the elder, or the crowd, or the hall beyond.
They found Annie.
Their eyes met for a brief moment, before he turned away and vanished into the hallway. Annie's heart thudded painfully in her chest. Her cheeks burned, and her eyes dropped to the floor as if afraid someone would read her thoughts just by looking.
The passage was narrow, and the stone walls were old and worn. Dim candlelight lined the corridor, bathing the space in flickering golden glow.
"Rael… my son. Are you ready?" Kain's voice came softly from behind as he caught up, placing a hand on Julian's shoulder.
"Yes, Father," Julian nodded, offering a small smile. "It's finally time to do something for the village, right?"
Kain chuckled, pride glimmering faintly in his eyes. Julian's answer was simple, but it held weight.
After several minutes of walking through the dim corridor, the trio finally reached the end of the path. The space opened up into a larger chamber and the air here felt heavier.
Three doors stood before them. Each with faint carvings that glowed and pulsed faintly under the torchlight.
Kain turned to Julian and gave a single nod, before walking to the leftmost door. The runes glowed brighter as he neared it and the slowly door creaked open. Without hesitation, Kain stepped through and vanished inside.
Alen stood in silence for a moment, his arms folded, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. He looked at Julian.
"See you on the other side, kid," he said, then turned and walked to the middle door. His door opened as well and he stepped in without looking back.
Julian was left alone. One final door.
He stared at it for a moment longer before he too stepped forward, the door humming in response to his presence. Placing his fingers on the handle, the glow grew brighter until it finally creaked open.
With a deep breath, Julian stepped inside, immediately enveloped by a wave of warmth. The scent of incense laced with something floral, flooded his senses, and he inhaled deeply, feeling it flow through him.
Hmm, let's see what's going on here, he thought, his lips curling faintly.
The room was small but felt sufficient. Candlelight lined along the walls, casting a flickering glow that danced over the faint red runes etched into the wall. The atmosphere was mysterious but nonetheless intimate.
His eyes swept over the space, noting the subtle details: old, weathered tables filled with strange objects—glass vials, strange stones, and what looked like bundles of dried herbs. The mat beneath his feet was rough and then came the main attraction: a bed covered in curtains, through which Julian could make out the silhouettes of two women seated silently.
The curtains parted slightly as one of the women leaned forward. "Well, well… Rael, is it? The village's new flame." Her tone was honeyed smooth, but there was a sharp edge to it.
She rose, her silhouette rebuilding into a woman with dark, long hair and with eyes that gleamed in the candlelight.
"I'm Mara. And this…" she gestured to the other figure, who still remained seated, "is Lira."
Lira tilted her head, her own lips curving into a slow smile. "We've heard so much about you," she purred, her voice softer than Mara. "Annie's boy. Kain's blood. Quite the legacy to carry."
She stood now, her movements fluid as she stepped closer. "But legacies are just stories. Let's see what you bring."
Julian's eyes flicked between them. They're testing me already, he thought, catching the way Mara's fingers trailed along the edge of the table. He straightened, letting a faint smirk play across his lips.
"Stories, huh? You might regret being able to witness it."
Mara laughed, amused by the young man in front of her. "Bold. I like that."
She stepped closer, close enough that he could feel the scent of jasmine drifting from her. "But boldness only gets you so far. We're here to see if you're… worthy."
Lira circled to his other side, her eyes never leaving his. "The village needs strength," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Vitality. A seed that can break the curse."
She paused, her gaze raking over him, lingering on his shoulders. "Do you think you have it, Rael? Or are you just a pretty face with a famous name?"
Julian's smirk widened, but he didn't rise to the bait. "Guess you'll have to find out," he said, his voice laced with just enough challenge to make Mara's eyes spark with interest.
He took a step forward, closing the distance between them. "So, how does this work?"
"You sure are excited," Mara whispered, her lips curling as she bit them lightly. Without answering, she took his hands in hers, guiding him forward. "Follow me."
With a gentle tug, she pushed the curtains aside, revealing the bed and, to Julian's surprise, a section of the wall beyond it. The runes glowed brighter here, lighting a small, circular opening carved into the stone.
Mara's eyes gleamed with mischief as she leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear. "This," she murmured, nodding toward the opening, "is where we begin. No eyes, no names—just you, and what you can offer."
She released his hands, stepping back to let him take in the sight. The hole was at waist height, covered with a thin veil that fluttered slightly.
Lira's voice came from behind him. "The runes will judge you," she said, her fingers brushing his shoulder as she moved to stand beside Mara. "But we'll… guide you. Show us what makes you Rael." She gestured toward the opening, her smile daring him to step forward.
Julian's pulse quickened, amused beyond belief. This is new, he thought, his gaze lingering on the glowing runes around the hole.