The city streets were loud with the bustle of merchants closing their stalls for the evening when Kana, Lysera, and Irielle finally reached the outer gates of the main temple.

The sight should have been awe-inspiring—the temple was massive, carved from white stone that gleamed even under the fading sun.

Its spires stretched toward the heavens, banners of gold and blue fluttering in the breeze, the air heavy with the smell of incense.

But the moment they tried to approach the steps, a row of armored temple guards lowered their halberds, blocking the entrance.

"Restricted entry. The temple is closed to all visitors until further notice."

One of the guards said flatly.

Kana froze, glancing uncertainly at Lysera and Irielle.

"Restricted? But… this is the temple. It's always open to the public."

The guard's expression did not soften.

"There was an accident. Until the higher priests decide otherwise, no one enters."

Irielle's eyes narrowed.

"An accident? That's the third one this month. Do you people just enjoy cutting the faithful off from their goddess whenever you feel like it?"

Her voice dripped with frustration.

The guard's jaw clenched, but he said nothing more. His silence spoke volumes.

Kana tugged lightly at Irielle's sleeve, her voice soft.

"Let's not fight here. It won't help."

Irielle scoffed.

"Then what? Sit outside and pray they change their minds? We sneak in. That's the only option."

She glanced at the other two, her irritation clear.

Kana blinked at her, startled.

"Sneak in…?"

But Lysera nodded grimly.

"It may be reckless, but she's right. If the temple has restricted entry, there's something inside they don't want people seeing. We need to find out what." She gestured for them to follow. "Come. I know a way around."

The trio slipped away from the front gate and circled the temple grounds. Lysera led them with the ease of someone who had done this before, hugging shadows, keeping low.

They eventually reached a quieter passage near the eastern wing, where the walls were lower and fewer guards patrolled.

"Here. If we move fast, we can blend in before anyone notices."

Lysera whispered, pointing at a servant's side entrance. The heavy door was cracked open, a faint glow spilling through.

Kana swallowed hard, her nerves tight, but followed after Lysera and Irielle.

The three slipped inside, pressing against the walls as the sound of footsteps echoed somewhere deeper within the temple.

The corridors were dim, lit by oil lamps. The smell of incense was thicker here, almost suffocating.

They moved quietly until they stumbled upon a laundry room where several folded uniforms lay stacked neatly on a bench.

Irielle arched a brow.

"Well, that's convenient."

Lysera handed them out without hesitation.

"Change. We'll draw less suspicion this way."

Kana tugged the robe over her head, adjusting the hood nervously. It was slightly too large, but it made her blend in well enough.

Together, the three of them stepped back into the hall, merging with groups of attendants who hurried past with baskets or scrolls in hand.

For a while, it worked. They walked with practiced calm, mimicking the pace of those around them. Kana felt her heartbeat slowing, hope flickering that they might actually succeed.

Until a familiar voice cut through the hall.

"What do we have here?"

Kana froze. She turned slowly, and there stood Evaya, arms crossed, her sharp eyes studying them beneath raised brows.

"Priestess robes don't suit you. Follow me. Now."

Evaya sighed, her tone dry.

Kana's stomach dropped. Lysera's hand twitched as if reaching for her weapon, but Evaya gave her a warning look.

"Don't even try. If I meant to expose you, the guards would already be here. I'm not your enemy—at least, not today."

Kana exchanged a worried glance with Irielle before reluctantly falling into step behind Evaya.

They were led down a quieter corridor, one where the walls were etched with sacred inscriptions and thick curtains muffled sound.

Finally, Evaya stopped and turned to face them, her expression uncharacteristically grim.

Kana, still catching her breath, dared to ask.

"Why is the temple such a mess? What's going on in here?"

For a long moment, Evaya's lips pressed into a thin line. She seemed almost reluctant to speak, but at last, she let out a tired breath.

"The goddess is preparing to issue an oracle."

Kana blinked.

"An oracle?"

Evaya nodded.

"And the priests here… they want to monopolize it. They don't want the world to hear the goddess's words through any voice but the one they've chosen."

Her tone sharpened with disgust.

"So, they've imprisoned every high priestess who isn't part of their plan. Even their own sisters in faith are locked away."

Kana's chest tightened.

"They… imprisoned their own?"

"Yes. All because the goddess hasn't spoken yet. Days have passed, and still no oracle. Their chosen priestess sits and waits, but the goddess keeps delaying. Every hour that passes, the men in charge grow more desperate. More pitiful."

Evaya said bitterly.

Lysera frowned.

"That's madness. An oracle is meant to guide the faithful, not become some political tool."

"Tell that to them. They've turned the temple into a cage for their own ambitions. If you're not careful, you'll be caught in the same net."

Evaya muttered, eyes narrowing.

Kana bit her lip, her mind spinning. The temple, the one place she had hoped to find help against the wolf goddess, was already rotting from the inside.

Irielle crossed her arms, scowling.

"So they've turned the goddess's silence into an excuse for tyranny."

Evaya didn't disagree. She only gave a tired sigh, as though she, too, was caught in the mess.

Kana's fists clenched at her sides.

'If even the temple can't be trusted… then where are we supposed to turn?'

Kana, Lysera, and Irielle exchanged uneasy glances at Evaya's words. The air felt heavier, as though the temple itself strained under the weight of silence.

Kana clenched her hands, realizing the corruption went deeper than she had thought. Irielle muttered that divine words should never be caged, and Lysera quietly agreed.

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