Exploring the ruined temple

The two men studied each other closely, measuring each other's movements with keen attention. Both hands rested near their weapons, ready to draw if the situation demanded it.

"Are you here for the sacred sword?" Ethel asked, trying to avoid unnecessary conflict, his tone calculated but not aggressive.

Saga, though calm, didn't lower his guard. His eyes reflected the resolve of someone who had made an irreversible decision.

"Yes," he responded firmly. "I need to obtain it for the survival of my island."

Ethel nodded, understanding that the man before him was not just a treasure hunter. However, he couldn't help but warn him about what he knew.

"I understand your purpose, but let me warn you," Ethel said, his voice low but clear. "That sword is cursed. The curse activates when its blade tastes blood. It's not something to be taken lightly."

Saga kept his gaze fixed on Ethel, his tone unwavering and confident.

"I know the story," he replied calmly. "I'm prepared for the consequences of wielding the sword."

Ethel narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Saga's words. There was something in the man's confidence that reminded him of other warriors who had underestimated the power of cursed artifacts, paying a high price for their arrogance.

"You're very confident," Ethel said, his voice growing graver. "But it won't be you who suffers the curse's consequences; it will be those around you. Your family, your wife, your children… everyone you care about will suffer because of that sword."

Ethel's words echoed in the dense jungle air, like a warning carried by the wind. Yet seeing that Saga didn't waver, Ethel decided not to interfere with his quest.

"Even so, I have no interest in the sword. If you want it that badly, just take it," Ethel added, his tone now more neutral. "I'm only here to explore the pyramid."

With that, Ethel turned on his heel, redirecting his attention to the temple entrance. As he walked away, he could still feel Saga's gaze on his back, but it didn't concern him. He knew they were on the island for different reasons, and he had no intention of crossing paths with the man again.

Saga silently followed Ethel as they both ventured into the temple. Upon passing through the massive stone door, they found themselves in a labyrinth of narrow corridors built from solid stone blocks. The structure imposed a stifling atmosphere, but fortunately, small rays of light filtered through cracks in the walls, dimly illuminating their path.

"At least the light seeps through the cracks; otherwise, we'd be in complete darkness," Ethel thought as his eyes adjusted to the gloom.

They walked in silence for several meters, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The only company they had was the damp air and the echo of their movements. Finally, they reached a fork in the path where the corridor split in two directions.

Ethel glanced at Saga, searching for any hint in his expression that might suggest which path to take. Without saying a word, he chose the right path, while Saga, with a slight nod, took the left.

Silence enveloped Ethel once more as he continued forward. As he ventured deeper into the labyrinth, he noticed a change in his surroundings. The fauna, initially consisting of small creatures like ants, grew increasingly dangerous. The air was thick with the presence of something more sinister.

Finally, as he turned a corner, Ethel came to an abrupt halt. In front of him, occupying almost the entire width of the corridor, was an enormous python, its body coiled into a mound of gleaming scales that seemed like steel under the faint light.

"Right in the middle of the passage..." Ethel murmured to himself. "I'll have to move it if I want to keep going."

The python slowly raised its head, its cold, calculating eyes locking onto the intruder. Its forked tongue flicked out, testing the air as the snake's body tensed, ready to strike. Ethel could feel the raw power in every muscle, a silent warning of the creature's danger.

Ethel prepared himself, adopting a defensive stance with his sword drawn. He knew a creature of that size wouldn't be easy to defeat, but he couldn't afford to turn back. The only option was to move forward, and that meant facing the beast.

With a controlled movement, Ethel took a step forward, keeping his gaze fixed on the snake's eyes. The python reacted instantly, lunging at him with surprising speed for its size. Ethel dodged the attack with an agile twist, his sword slicing through the air in a flash of steel.

The katana's blade met the snake's scales, but instead of a clean cut, it left only a shallow mark. The python's skin was as tough as steel, a natural defense that made it even more formidable.

"It's more resilient than it seems..." Ethel thought as the snake regrouped for another attack.

He knew he needed a different approach. Simple cuts wouldn't suffice; he had to find a weak point. He observed the snake as it circled him, searching for any sign of vulnerability. The python struck again, but this time Ethel was ready.

At the last second, Ethel jumped to the side, letting the snake pass by. As it did, he saw his opportunity: just behind the head, where the scales were thinner. With a quick, precise strike, he aimed for the vulnerable spot.

The sword hit its mark, and the python let out a hiss of pain, its body convulsing in spasms. Ethel didn't waste time. Taking advantage of the opening, he delivered another blow, this time with more force, and the snake fell to the ground, dead.

Ethel took a deep breath, watching the lifeless body of the creature.

Readjusting his katana at his waist, he continued his journey, more alert than ever.

The air was heavy, as if an invisible presence was pressing down on him, filling the space with a malevolent energy that seemed to emanate from the depths of the temple. Ethel pressed on, aware that each step took him further into unknown territory, where every shadow seemed to hide a threat. After what felt like walking in circles, he came across another fork in the path. But this time, something different caught his attention: an inscription carved into the stone wall, covered by years of dust and vines.

Intrigued, Ethel approached the wall, carefully wiping the surface to read the message more clearly. He silently thanked the gift he had been granted in his reincarnation, a skill that allowed him to understand ancient and forgotten languages as if they were his mother tongue. This knowledge was a blessing, an essential tool in a place as ancient as this.

The words etched into the stone resonated in his mind:

"To the right, the seven stars aligned over a blood-soaked blade will herald the return of darkness. To the left, the path of the Storm King, who with his cloak covers the sky to block out the light."

Ethel's heart pounded. He felt a mix of excitement and tension as he realized what these words meant. He stood before a crucial decision, and the options before him were not just two paths, but two different destinies.

"If I follow the path to the right," he murmured to himself, his voice barely a whisper in the dim light, "I'll reach the cursed sword, the one Saga seeks. The return of darkness… It's clear that this weapon is not something to be underestimated."

His gaze shifted to the path on the left, the one mentioned as the "Storm King's path." There was something about that title that called to him, something in the idea of a king whose power could cover the sky and block out the light. He couldn't deny the thrill that coursed through him, a shiver running down his spine at the prospect of discovering something so powerful and mysterious.

"Everything about this Storm King intrigues me…" Ethel thought, a faint smile on his lips as he made his decision. "The sword can wait. I want to know more about this cloak that covers the sky. What secrets does this path hold?"

Determined, Ethel turned left, venturing down the less obvious path. The darkness seemed to thicken as he advanced, as if the very path were trying to swallow him, but he wasn't intimidated. His steps were firm, guided by a blend of curiosity and the certainty that something important awaited him at the end.

Ethel had navigated the dark labyrinth, facing numerous snakes and centipedes that populated every corner, as if the very structure were alive and intent on stopping him.

The chamber was a true sanctuary of ancient history. The walls were covered with figures and drawings, depicting scenes from what seemed to be an old legend. Three men pursuing a woman, a tale that resonated deep within his mind.

"I vaguely remember the story from when I watched the movie, but I didn't pay much attention to these details," Ethel murmured as his eyes followed the carvings, trying to decipher their meaning.

Each image seemed to contain a warning or a lesson, but Ethel didn't have time to analyze everything. His attention was quickly drawn to the center of the room, where an imposing stone coffin rested on a pedestal, emanating a solemn and mysterious presence.

"Having come this far, I should open it. I hope I'm not disturbing the rest of some vengeful spirit," he whispered as he applied force to move the heavy stone lid.

With considerable effort, he managed to slide the lid enough to peer inside. What he found left him stunned. Instead of human remains or ancient treasures, there, in the center of the coffin, lay a Devil Fruit.

"A Devil Fruit..." Ethel exclaimed, surprised and grateful for his discovery. "I can't believe I've found one. What power does this fruit hold? Perhaps it's related to the sky, given the description of the inscription..."

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a deafening crash that echoed through the temple's walls. A loud noise emerged from another chamber, and the massive stone blocks forming the structure began to crack and fall.

"That fool must have taken the sword," the young man said.

Ethel wasted no time. With the Devil Fruit firmly in hand, he dashed back into the labyrinth, activating his Flash ability to move as quickly as possible. Pushing his body to the limit, he slipped through the narrow corridors, dodging the falling stones around him. However, the labyrinth seemed to work against him, with winding curves and paths that seemed to stretch endlessly.

As the walls shook and the stones fell closer and closer, Ethel felt a growing desperation. The exit seemed increasingly unreachable, and the labyrinth's darkness wrapped around him like a shroud of despair. In a moment of desperation, knowing his life hung by a thread, he lifted the Devil Fruit and, without further thought, took a bite.

The taste was bitter and unpleasant, like chewing pure darkness. But Ethel had no other choice. As he felt the fruit's energy surge through his body, he kept running.