Description

Chapter 4 — The First Offering ChamberThe temple gate stood half open.There was no wind.No rustling leaves. No shifting air.And yet…It moved.Slowly.On its own.The old wooden door creaked inward, inch by inch. A faint red glow leaked from inside — like something burning far below… rows of unseen candles flickering in the dark.Ryu whispered, voice unsteady:“We shouldn’t go in at night.”Ren didn’t look at him.“We already came at the wrong time.”The bell—It was louder now.Not outside.Inside.But no one struck it.No pause. No rhythm break.Just a continuous, low pulse.Like vibration.Like—a heartbeat.At the entrance…Shoes.Dozens of them.Old. Dried. Forgotten.Placed neatly in pairs.Not random.Intentional.Couples.Aiko’s