As the truck approached the structure, Mike's breath caught.
From a distance, the dome had seemed large. Up close, it was colossal.
A flawless, polished roof crowned the Temple. Smooth white stone wrapped the entire exterior, broken only by the rows of ornately carved pillars and arched overhangs. Trees and flowers lined a stone path leading to the entrance, giving the sacred ground an almost surreal peace.
Mike stepped out of the truck, silent.
His eyes swept the building—its divine symmetry, its impossible scale.
His mind flicked back to a different time.
A different body.
Sleeping in the center of this same dome—massive, scaled, alone.
"Well, here we are," Hunter said, walking toward the entrance. "Welcome to the Temple of the Gods. Let's go meet the council."
Mike hurried after him, heart pounding. One thought in his mind:
The dragon statue.
The answers.
As they reached the entrance, Mike paused.
Two towering black doors stood before them—smooth, shiny obsidian that stood in stark contrast to the white temple walls. Torches flanked the doors, flames dancing in ornate ironwork. Strange runes were etched into the stone arch above them—characters that shifted when Mike tried to read them.
Inside, it hit him like a memory snapping back into place.
A circle of statues. But now—pristine. Unbroken. Untouched.
Hundreds of figures stood in rows. Larger statues occupied near the center, each one radiant and imposing. A white platform sat in the middle of the hall, like a stage before gods.
Hunter nodded toward the circle. "Good luck figuring out who's who."
Mike glanced at him. "Why's that?"
"There are hundreds of gods in this place. All major pantheons. All belief systems. Their names stay hidden until their chosen are recognized by the divine. Until then? You're guessing."
Hunter clapped him on the shoulder. "Take your time. I gotta meet with Coyote. We'll make your introduction soon."
"Thanks," Mike muttered, already walking.
He passed statues of all forms—humans, beasts, hybrids. Every figure was rendered in impossible detail. One caught his eye: a massive spider, carved so precisely it looked alive. The pedestal beneath it read:
ANANSI
As he moved toward the inner circle, his pace quickened.
There it was.
The dragon.
Still. Perfect. Unweathered. Exactly as he remembered.
He reached the base of the statue—jaw clenched, breathing heavy.
"Kneel," the gravelly voice commanded.
Mike's fists tightened.
A growl in his throat. "Fuck you."
"Good. Never bow to anyone." The voice sounded amused now.
Suddenly, the runes on the pedestal shifted—like ink settling on water.
BAHAMUT
Mike's lips parted as he started to sound out the word—
"Stop playing games."
A new voice.
Slick. Slippery. Uneasy.
Mike turned.
A Native American man in a tailored three-piece suit stood nearby, arms folded, a too-wide smile stretched across his face.
"Only a fool would keep the council waiting," the man said.
Mike's tone darkened. "Where's Hunter?"
The man gave a dramatic sigh.
"How dare that bearded oaf bring someone of your stature here and fail to make a proper introduction. Disrespectful, truly. I am Henry, chosen of the great and wise Ma-ii, and advisor to the council."
He gave a swooping bow, hands gesturing theatrically. "Let me offer you friendship and guidance. Come. Allow me the honor of announcing you."
"Filthy scavenger should not be trusted," the voice hissed in Mike's head.
Mike said nothing. His eyes flicked back to the pedestal.
Bahamut.
But something else caught his eye—one row behind the dragon.
A statue of a swirling humanoid figure, like cloud and sky shaped into form.
At its base:
AETHER
Before he could get closer—
"Hey, Mike!" Hunter's voice cut through the tension.
Mike turned. The burly man approached with purpose.
Hunter's eyes locked on Henry. "You fucking dog. Still trying to weasel your way into introductions, huh?"
Henry smiled, all teeth.
"I have no idea what you're referring to," he said sweetly. "Careful where you hurl your accusations, dear forest brute. Sacred ground, remember?"
"Vile mongrel," Hunter growled. "One day your games'll be the end of you."
He looked at Mike. "Let's get you to the council before I forget this is a sacred place and make a meal of that dog."
Henry's grin didn't falter. "Run back to the woods, Huntsman. Creatures without effigies don't last long here."
Mike followed Hunter without a word.
Henry, still smiling, trailed them both.
At the rear of the Temple stood another massive set of doors—this time white with veins of gold inlaid through the stone like lightning frozen in time.
Henry stepped forward and pushed them open.
Inside was a grand half-circle chamber that stretched up multiple stories. Pillars divided the tiers. Ornate gold railings marked each level. Every row had fewer seats the higher it rose—hierarchy carved in architecture.
At the center stood a colossal stone table.
And around it—six figures seated.
Light poured through the domed glass ceiling, illuminating them in radiant beams.
A soft voice filled the air.
Pleasant. Powerful.
"Welcome to the Temple of the Gods, Mr. Reed. We've been expecting you."