Deva, Temple of Treachery

Chapter 5

Pain shot out of Amara's head, a groan escaped her and her hand darted up to rub her temple, feeling her hair stand on end. That would surely make her mother happy, opening her eyes, she blinked. It took a while before she realizes that there wasn't anything wrong with her eyesight, it was dark. Only a faint light flickered over the stone wall and her memory rushed back at her.

A groan caught her attention and she spotted Vihaan, sprawled on the ground by the oil lamp. "Vihaan?" her voice was coarse like she had eaten sand. Considering the amount laying on the floor, it was most likely not that far off from the truth.

Vihaan moved but didn't answer.

"Are you okay, Vihaan?" Amara rose on unstable legs, leaning against the wall as she walked over. A sigh of relief escaped her when Vihaan did the same. His dark eyes darted to their surroundings, finally settling on the caved-in path behind them.

Amara thought he would panic, but he only walked over rolling some stones aside, perusing the walls before grimacing and turning towards her. "We are in deep. It will take some time to dig us out."

"Are we in danger?"

"With some luck, we won't suffocate. This is an old temple, it should have enough cracks for air to come in. At least I hope so."

"Can we get out somewhere else?" asked Amara, grabbing onto the oil lamp and holding it up. She gazed into the dark hallway, not even the lamp could break the darkness. A cold wind brushed her face and she smiled. "Wind means air. There should be another way out."

Frowning, Vihaan stared into the darkness. "It shouldn't be. I inspected the mapped-out temple and there isn't much except some rooms. All dead ends. Maybe the earthquake broke a wall open."

"Well, you and I aren't experts at digging so let's go deeper inside. Maybe we can find something interesting."

"Or something dangerous. Have you forgotten the gunshot?" Vihaan reminded her, his face filled with reluctance.

"Stay here then. I will look for a way out," Amara said, not eager to venture in alone but she knew she wouldn't have to. The moment Amara started to move; Vihaan followed her. Grumbling as he pressed to the front, grabbing onto the lamp and leading the way. His feet were careful where he stepped, not wanting to fall through a crack if there was one.

Seconds turned to minutes as they walked and the hallway opened up to a large room. Most of the room was caved in, all but one large opening. Amara started to walk over but Vihaan held her back. His face was pale as he watched the opening with a frown.

"What is it?"

"That wasn't there before. There were only supposed to be two entrances here. One to the southeast and the other to the northwest. To the southwest had been a wall with a relief of Mayasura on it," he pointed at the opening. "The wall is gone and is now a pathway."

"Well, I won't complain about blessings from the gods," Amara said, walking down the pathway.

"Do you even believe in the gods?"

"Not really," Amara said cheerily, a gasp escaped her as she saw a light flicker at the end of the pathway. "Look Vihaan! Sunlight."

Without care for Vihaan, she rushed over, shielding her eyes as she was blinded. Her teary eyes finally settled and they grew wide at the sight before them.

"Dear gods," whispered Vihaan.

That was Amara's feelings as well, as she watched what could not be possible. An ancient city, standing on three plateaus, The first one made from iron, the one in the middle made from silver, and the last one, pointing to the sky with a palace in the middle, was made from gold.