405 Heed The Bias
A temple.
A rather massive temple showed itself. It had a dodecagon shape, its entirety gilded extravagantly as its aged mass almost wanted to glow amidst the cold and smooth waters.
While it had different sections on its singular build; individual structures that did well to separate themselves from the others with more than just size and jewelled aesthetic, one could appreciate that it was all melded into one magnificently.
The temple did not sit at the base of the Territory but was anchored on a white platform that looked like a sturdy pedestal, sculpted with wavy shapes that resembled water movement.
The alternating shades of gold, along with the occasional brown brought one to appreciate it all the more, especially Ferex who was able to see this.
Strangely however, the Hound couldn’t help but feel a deep set apprehension.
This was not only caused by the subtly overbearing energy that the massive construct expelled, but the symbol at the entrance to the temple.
A large eye with multiple irises carved with a curve that almost made it seem like it could jut out at any moment surrounded by eleven smaller others…
Ferex emitted a low growl.
Skullius couldn’t see the building but he could sense the ferocious waves of power from it.
‘That’s some nasty energy and I can tell it’s being subdued,’ Skullius thought.
“KIKIKIKI! You can go now~. If you do come out of there alive, make sure to come and chat with me like you promised,” Fuwin said while clapping his flippers.
‘I don’t remember promising though,’ Skullius thought before responding with a smile. “Of course I will.”
With that, the dolphin spoke no more as Skullius and Ferex found themselves standing on top of the white pedestal which outclassed the temple in size in order to sturdily hold it up.
The light within the Territory proudly sponsored by Fuwin suddenly disappeared as the massive creature’s body also faded, leaving a deep set darkness over everything again… but only for a few moments.
The twelve eyes etched onto the front of the temple all started to glow, giving sufficient light for navigation.
They all had different colours and designs, the energy they emitted which the Discount Human sensed vividly, making him wonder what kind of messed up stuff he was about to see inside.
A straight path of old tiling led to an expansive set of double doors that were carved with beautiful patterns which when one took the time to analyse had several meanings, but neither Skullius nor Ferex was interested.
It was pretty intriguing to Skullius how even though there was the sensation of water on his skin, it didn’t hinder any of his movements at all as if it wasn’t there in the first place.
With said smoothness and ease, the Discount Human and Demon Hound reached the doors.
“Now what?” Skullius asked while curiously sensing around. He didn’t know if he was supposed to push the doors and reveal what was inside or something else.
Given how the animosity seemed brutally real, he’d rather not act rashly in this place.
‘I remember only a few things from this place. This is not one of them. I doubt you’re expected to let yourself in though, tomato flinger,’ Sila said, finally breaking his silence.
Skullius shook his head as he made careful deliberations but fortunately for him, he didn’t need to act without instruction.
The largest of the twelve eyes imprinted on the wall to the temple glowed with a bright golden hue, a stream of bright gold leaking from it and flowing like a serene stream over the bumps and bulges of the building, reaching the double doors in a few seconds.
As it did so, the golden liquid formed a like-coloured blank parchment that floated before the double doors, facing Skullius and his group.
Skullius took a few steps back just in case while Ferex hurriedly darted before his master.
The two’s fears turned out to be unwarranted however, as the parchment meant no harm. Instead, from its centre, a set of pink lips protruded without smile nor frown and addressed the new aspiring entrants.
“Heed me, dear child, for I speak only once. All are welcome to the Temple of Unlusted Tears but all are not equal. All may roam but not all may see the wonders set by this righteous accord. To guarantee your life in this nest of passion and justice, heed my piece of three…”
A melodious voice, much like the early chirps and song from the birds on a spring morning was heard but while Skullius could appreciate the sound, he couldn’t appreciate the words, as he didn’t understand them.
‘Sila…’ Skullius referred to his presumed freeloader.
‘Let it finish first. I don’t remember this, but yes I can interpret it,’ Sila said, paying rapt attention.
The aged piece of soul speculated that his incomplete soul had some bits of this experience missing.
The lips on the parchment continued, as they spoke the important detail of note.
“Limit where your fingers roam, for until you find the gift we speak, nothing here is owned.
Pay respects where due and maintain the sanctity of the Ground of Communion even when you are put to the test…” the set of lips said before arching up into a ridiculing grin that made the atmosphere several degrees sombre.
“And if you are of the glorified manhood, open your eyes and bear witness to the Slurred Grounds with despair. For that is the only reason this benefit of entry is granted to you!”
Right after that was said, the parchment rolled itself up and broke apart into fragments of sparkling light.
The double doors rumbled as they opened, inviting whoever stood before them to come in.
Skullius had a really bad feeling about this. He couldn’t mistake malice when he felt it.
From the parchment to the gushing waves of atrocity that spilled like a torrent of vicious flame when the doors opened, this was… all but positive.
Then again, Fuwin had said that treatment was vastly different depending on the gender. If that was the case even during the evaluation conducted by the dolphin, then it was definitely the case here.
‘Well, tomato flinger. Fortunately, even though that menacing voice spoke in an ancient dialect more common in the North, I was able to figure out much of what it said. First, there are three rules…’
Sila went on to explain everything to Skullius who mulled it over.
“So the only reason men are even allowed here is to… bear witness? I have a feeling that’s going to be fleshing disturbing. They really drive home what they hate with that name though,” Skullius said as he took the first steps into the temple along with Ferex.
The beginnings to a mysterious experience. One last experience before the Discount Human was to head to Genhuis City was afoot.
An experience in the Temple of Unlusted Tears.