>>6166666well, you got QUINTS, so...
>>6165690It takes you a few more hours to cover the distance to the Temple. When you finally reach the outskirts of the huge building, it looms over you five, with its bulk of stone — and the air seems to be rippling, not with heat but with some other kind of energy, the ill might of the Stars.
“We have company,” Willow whispers, turning her head to the side. The visor stops you from reading her gaze, but it’s clear she has spotted something.
Your hand reaches for your sword. You had to expect your presence so close to the rogue Asterite wouldn’t go unnotic-
“It’s not that,” she adds, seeing your movement. “It’s the Crow.”
“Hm,” Sandora notes, taking the news with seeming disinterest.
Right. If she’s around here, it’s not the moment to speak about whatever the Asterite might hold in her mouth, nor about summoning the Adversary.
Starless Night, what kind of thought you are even having… your shoulders slump. No idea how you should feel. Your hands twitch at the idea of piercing the body of the one who sponsored and endorsed <span class="mu-i">merchants</span> — but at the same time, the idea of facing her, while you are on a mission… it’s terrifying.
“Perhaps you should take a break,” Rubida says, spotting your nervousness. “We all ought to, but you more than anyone else. How do you feel?”
“Better— I can deal with this.”
“You’re a terrible liar, Candente. Did anyone ever told you?”
“I think you did at least once.”
“See? You should listen to your betters. Always said so.” She sighs. “Even if now I meant it in a different way… Soralisa,” she says addressing your friend. “Can you spend some time with her? I think she needs a bit of proper company, and I want to check something with the Asterite before we go through.”
Soralisa perks up at the mention of her name, while Willow frowns.
“D-Do you need my help with something, Argia?”
[cont.]
