Adrian checked the map, frowning as he traced their route with his finger. "It looks like the next temple is down there, somewhere in the village."

Lilith peered over his shoulder; her curiosity piqued. "Looks like we'll have to pay them a visit." The descent into the valley was steep but manageable, and soon they found themselves on the outskirts of the village.

By the time they reached, the bustling activity of the town had become clear—merchants shouting, people bartering, and the scent of food mixing in the air. It was totally different from the simple villages they had passed before.

As they approached the gates, they were stopped by a pair of guards—burly men dressed in armour, their faces stern.

"Halt!" one of the guards barked, holding up his hand. "Entry into the village requires payment. How much do you have?"

Adrian narrowed his eyes. "How much?"

The guard grinned wickedly. "Five thousand gold coins per head."

"Five thousand gold coins? Per head?" Adrian's eyes widened in shock. "That's ridiculous! There's no way we're paying that."

The guard crossed his arms, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Then crawl back to the hole you came from, or pay up."

Medea's hand flew to the hilt of her sword. Her voice was ice-cold as she stepped forward, her stance rigid. "What's that supposed to mean?"

The air around them tensed, and Adrian could feel the situation spiralling into confrontation. Before Medea could unsheathe her blade, Lilith, ever the master of charm, intervened.

She stepped forward with a voice as smooth as silk, drawing the guard's attention. "Oh, come on," she purred. "Five thousand gold coins per head? Surely, you deserve better than that."

The guard's sneer faltered as Lilith continued. "Tell me, aside gold coins, what else do you want? What is it you desire?"

The guard's eyes glazed over slightly as Lilith's charm worked its magic. His greedy smile faltered, and he mumbled, "I want gold… more gold."

Lilith smiled sweetly, leaning in just enough to make her presence overwhelming. "I see. You're a greedy little man, aren't you? But maybe you should let us in, or I could ask my sister here—" she gestured toward Medea, "—and my darling husband to strip you of every piece of gold you own."

The guard visibly paled, his greed quickly giving way to fear. He shook his head vigorously. "N-no need for that, my Lady. You may enter."

He stepped aside, allowing them through the gates.

As they entered the village, it became clear that this place was different.

Everywhere you looked screamed wealth. The streets were lined with stands selling shiny trinkets, artists were showing off golden objects, and everyone in the village seemed to be wearing jewellery.

There was a strong smell of wealth in the air, along with a sense of tension, as if everyone was trying to get the best deal possible.

As they passed, Medea leaned in closer to Lilith with a low voice. "I don't think we need a soothsayer to tell us which temple is up ahead."

Lilith smirked knowingly. "Ava, the goddess of Greed," they both said in unison.

The trio walked deeper into the village, and soon enough, the temple came into view. It was a towering structure made of polished stone, its walls inlaid with gold and jewels.

But what caught Adrian's eye wasn't just the grandeur of the temple—it was the marketplace set up right in front of it.

Merchants lined the temple steps, hawking wares that ranged from simple trinkets to treasures so elaborate they seemed impossible. People were buying and selling at an alarming pace, haggling over every coin. It was chaotic, yet methodical—a well-oiled machine driven by greed.

"This is absurd," Medea muttered, her eyes scanning the crowd. "They've turned the temple into a marketplace."

Adrian's eyes darkened as he took in the scene. "It's like they've forgotten what the temple's even for."

Lilith, however, seemed amused. "Well, what did you expect? This is the domain of Ava. Greed rules here, darling."

They approached the entrance of the temple, where another guard stopped them. He was just as imposing as the one at the gate, his face hidden behind a gleaming golden helmet.

"Entrance into the temple requires payment," he stated flatly, holding out his hand.

Adrian sighed in exasperation. "How much?"

"One hundred gold coins per person. It's a small price to pay for a tour of the temple," the guard replied, his voice filled with the certainty of someone who had said this countless times before.

"A tour?" Lilith scoffed. "They're charging for a tour?"

Adrian reluctantly handed over the coins, and the guard stepped aside, allowing them to enter. Inside, the temple was no different from the outside.

There were more stalls, more merchants, and more people clamouring for deals. The sanctity of the place had been replaced by a ravenous hunger for wealth.

As they moved deeper into the temple, Adrian's frustration grew. This was no place of worship—it was a den of greed.

The walls were lined with treasures, but there was an emptiness to it all, as if the very soul of the place had been consumed by the pursuit of gold.

Finally, they reached a section of the temple where the guard leading them stopped abruptly. "No one is allowed past this point," he said, his tone final.

Adrian frowned. "Why not?"

The guard shifted uneasily. "Those who have gone beyond… never came back."

Lilith raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "And what exactly lies beyond?"

The guard shook his head. "It's not for me to say. All I know is that the temple has its rules, and that area is forbidden."

Medea, who had been quiet for most of the tour, stepped forward. "We're going," she stated firmly, already moving past the guard.

But the man quickly stepped in front of her, his hand raised in warning. "It's for your safety. I won't allow you in, not on my watch."

Medea's eyes narrowed. "You're telling me that I'm not allowed to go where I please?"

Lilith placed a calming hand on her sister's arm. "Easy now, Wrathfulness. He's just doing his job. Besides, we can't go into her temple, remember?"

Adrian glanced between them, realising that this was where he continued without them. "You two wait here, then," he said steadily. "I'll go in alone."

Medea folded her arms, clearly not pleased. "We'll be waiting right here, then. Just make sure you don't get yourself killed."

Lilith gave him a playful wink. "Good luck, darling. If you get lost, just follow the sound of my voice."

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