The Temple
Inside the temple, in stark contrast to the wild winds outside, a profound silence reigns. Yet this stillness carries a tense, somewhat eerie atmosphere. I proceed slowly. At my feet lies a cobblestone path weathered by the passage of time. On the walls, murals—presumably depicting wind spirits or ancient rituals—remain, though most have faded from exposure to the elements and are now indecipherable.
The passageways are as intricate as a maze, forcing me to proceed with caution. Occasionally, the sound of the wind drifts in from afar, as if the temple itself were breathing. I hold the Lyre of Atlantis in my hands, ready to play at any moment.
After walking for a while, I emerge into a vast hall. In the center of the hall stands a massive altar, upon which rests a feather-shaped stone statue, likely symbolizing the spirit of the wind. Countless candles are arranged around the altar, but all of them are unlit. I try to light the candles, but they are all damp and refuse to catch fire.
At the far end of the hall is a door leading further inward. The door is firmly sealed, and a complex magic circle is engraved on its surface. I can sense a faint yet powerful magical energy emanating from the circle. I approach the door and carefully examine the magic circle. It appears to have been created using advanced magical techniques that harness the power of the wind spirit.
I take out the “Infinite Book” and begin analyzing the structure of the magic circle. Mathematical formulas resonate in my mind like music, playing the melody of the magic circle. Then, a part of the magic circle begins to glow faintly. I continue my analysis, trying to find the magic circle’s weakness.
Just then, a powerful gust of wind suddenly sweeps through the hall. I instinctively duck to brace myself against the wind. The wind blows out the candles, and the hall is once again shrouded in darkness. I strain my ears to listen to the sound of the wind. It seems there is a whisper mingled within it.
“Intruder, leave…”
The voice of the wind seems to be warning me. However, I cannot back down now. I speak quietly to the wind. “I have come here on a mission from the City of Winds to unravel the mysteries of this temple. I harbor no hostility toward the wind spirits.”
My words do not get lost in the wind but echo throughout the hall. Then, the wind gradually weakens and eventually stops. Silence returns to the hall. I look up and fix my gaze on the door. It remains firmly shut, but I sense that the magical power surrounding it has weakened compared to before.
I open the “Infinite Book” once more and resume my analysis of the magic circle. Listening to the voice of the wind spirit, I search for a way to proceed beyond the door.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
