Chapter 36: The Temple's Secret (Part 2)
Just as the group was about to move on, Chika—often called the smarty pants of the gang—paused, staring more intently at the glowing scripture on the ground. Her brows furrowed, curiosity and caution warring in her expression.
"Wait… something's off," she murmured, stepping closer.
Suddenly, the letters pulsed. A beam of golden light surged from the inscription, shooting directly into Chika's forehead. She gasped as her body froze, and her eyes glowed a radiant, brilliant gold. The others cried out, rushing toward her, but a gentle invisible force held them back.
"Chika!" Yue shouted, her heart racing.
But before anyone could touch her, the light dimmed, flowing back into the stone scripture like water retreating into the earth. Chika blinked, her eyes slowly returning to normal—but something was different. Her voice carried an echo now, as though another presence was speaking through her.
"It's a warning…" she said slowly, staring down at the glowing letters. "With so many gifts and blessings... they shall be consumed by human greed."
Her voice deepened for a moment, rich and ancient, like a goddess herself had taken over. The entire temple felt colder, stiller—like time had paused to hear her speak.
"Being a blessing or a curse depends on how you handle it," she continued, voice unwavering. "I do not meddle in human affairs. But I leave this truth—treat your husbands right, let them support you in battle. That is why I granted them support magic."
The gang stood stunned, the weight of the message sinking into their minds. Even the air felt charged, as if the divine warning lingered like a scent after lightning.
Support magic… granted to men?
The revelation flipped everything they thought they knew. Yue clenched her fists in awe, realizing the full meaning. Men weren't just there to bear children—they were essential to the fight, in a different but powerful way.
Chika's body swayed. Yue caught her before she could fall. "You okay?"
"I think… I just got possessed by a goddess," Chika muttered weakly.
Everyone laughed nervously, still shaken, still stunned.
Yue looked back at the scripture. The temple had revealed its promise… and its warning.
And it was just the beginning.
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To be continued...