The Untold Truth \ Ateez

Chapter 23: The Crumbling Sanctuary

The thick canopy overhead filtered the sunlight into a dim, ethereal glow as the group trudged through the dense undergrowth. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and the occasional rustle of unseen creatures. Hongjoong led the way, his steps cautious but determined, the weight of their mission pressing down on his shoulders like a leaden cloak. Behind him, Wooyoung and Seonghwa followed closely, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger or clues that might lead them closer to the princesses.

Lisa walked slightly behind, her gaze flitting between the worn map in her hands and the faint trail they were following. She could feel the unease in the group, a quiet tension that had settled in ever since they had caught wind of this so-called sanctuary. It was supposed to be a place of refuge, a hidden haven where those fleeing from their enemies could find safety and solace. But as they drew closer, an ominous feeling gnawed at her gut, warning her that whatever awaited them there would be far from the sanctuary they hoped to find.

As they finally reached the edge of a clearing, the sight that met them was both awe-inspiring and unsettling. The sanctuary, if it could be called that, was nestled within a ring of towering trees, their twisted branches forming an almost impenetrable barrier around it. Vines and moss clung to the ancient stone walls, giving the structure an air of forgotten history and lost time. It was clear that this place had been built long ago, perhaps even before the conflicts that now plagued their world.

Hongjoong was the first to step forward, his expression unreadable as he approached the entrance. The others followed, their footsteps echoing softly in the stillness. Inside, the air was cooler, almost suffocating in its stillness. The faint scent of decay lingered, a stark contrast to the vibrant life of the forest outside. It was as if the sanctuary itself was holding its breath, waiting for something—or someone—to break the silence.

The main chamber was vast, with high ceilings that seemed to stretch endlessly upward. Flickers of light danced across the walls, cast by the weak sunlight that managed to penetrate the narrow windows. The room was filled with rows of stone benches, all facing a central altar that was now covered in dust and cobwebs. But it was not the grandeur of the architecture that drew the group's attention. Instead, their eyes were drawn to the floor, where the symbols and marks that they had been searching for were etched into the stone.

Lisa knelt down, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns that had been carved with a precision that spoke of careful, deliberate intent. "These marks..." she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "They match the descriptions we found in the princesses' journal."

Seonghwa crouched beside her, his gaze fixed on the symbols. "It's a message," he said, his voice tinged with awe. "They were here."

A brief moment of relief washed over the group, but it was quickly overshadowed by the stark reality of their surroundings. The signs of life—or rather, the remnants of it—were everywhere. Withered flowers lay strewn across the floor, their once vibrant petals now crumbling into dust. In the corners of the room, there were signs of ritualistic practices—circles of stones, remnants of candles, and bowls that had long since dried up. The air was thick with the echoes of forgotten prayers and desperate pleas for protection.

Wooyoung's eyes narrowed as he took in the scene, his fists clenching at his sides. "This place... it's a graveyard," he muttered, his voice laced with anger. "They were supposed to be safe here."

The others didn't need to voice their agreement. The sanctuary, once a place of refuge, had become a prison for those who had sought its protection. The signs of malnutrition and dehydration were unmistakable. There were tattered cloths, likely used as makeshift bandages, scattered across the floor. Empty water skins lay discarded in the shadows, and the remnants of barely edible food were strewn about as if in a final act of desperation.