The Temple Opens

The room, filled with scattered explorers, members of Aval United, and the Krafal Second Alliance, fell silent. Whispers stopped as everyone tried to gauge the situation. Borich, a leader known for his composure, now seemed genuinely caught off guard. His confusion, mixed with a simmering tension, only added to the suspense in the temple's icy-blue chamber.

Charlie, watching from the sidelines through Iron Man's remote-controlled interface, raised a virtual brow. Huh. Looks like Aval United just got framed for something they didn't do. He chuckled to himself, finding the situation unexpectedly amusing. What a mess.

Cruz, however, showed no amusement. The leader of the Krafal Second Alliance towered over the platform, his pale, waxy skin illuminated by the eerie light that filled the temple. His cold, calculating voice echoed with authority. "Borich, you said yourself that there's no need for pretense between us. I agree wholeheartedly."

The crowd listened intently as Cruz continued. "You've been the only one who ever knew the Son of Stardust was in my possession. For years, you tried and failed to uncover his location. Every move you've made has revolved around this child, and now, at the most critical moment, he's suddenly gone. Are we really supposed to believe you had nothing to do with it?"

Borich was silent for a moment, his jaw tightening. Cruz's accusation was direct and sharp, and Borich knew the weight it carried. It was true that Aval United had relentlessly pursued the child for over a decade. Given their history, suspicion naturally fell on them. But this time, Borich was certain of their innocence.

When he finally spoke, his voice was steady but edged with frustration. "It's true that we've sought the child of Stardust before. And I won't deny that I've tested your defenses in the past. But if you're suggesting we took him now, I must disappoint you. Aval United had no part in this."

Cruz's cold gaze didn't waver. "Convenient," he replied, his tone laced with sarcasm. "You expect me to believe that, after years of chasing him, you suddenly decided to give up at the precise moment he disappeared? You've spent over a decade obsessing over his location, yet now, when he's taken from under my nose, you claim innocence?"

Borich exhaled deeply, clearly irritated. "I know how this looks, Cruz. But I also know that whatever game you're playing, it won't work."

Cruz's lip curled into a faint smirk. "Game? Oh no, Borich, this is no game. And since we're being honest, let's address another point you conveniently left out." His voice grew sharper, cutting through the room. "You've been stirring trouble in my alliance for weeks now. Don't think I haven't noticed."

The mention of Aval United's interference brought murmurs from Cruz's followers. Tension rippled through the chamber as Cruz continued, his tone biting. "And let's not forget the old man from Stardust Land. He's in your hands, isn't he?"

Gasps erupted from the crowd. Cruz had shifted the focus, introducing a new, critical piece to the puzzle: an elder connected to the same mysterious lineage as the Son of Stardust. The revelation left everyone buzzing with speculation.

Charlie, still quietly observing, tilted his head. The old man? Could he mean the green-robed weirdo back in Glan? The one Green Lantern found in the cave? If that's who he's talking about... this is getting interesting.

Borich didn't flinch at the accusation, but his response was unexpected. "At one time, yes," he admitted. "During our first battle, I captured the elder while you took the boy. That much is true."

He paused, his voice growing bitter. "But don't think for a moment that we benefited from it. While you were busy taming a naive and impressionable child, we were left with a stubborn, uncooperative old man who gave us nothing but trouble."

The crowd listened in stunned silence as Borich continued. "Years ago, the elder revealed a hidden strength we hadn't anticipated. He overwhelmed his guards, escaped, and disappeared. We searched for him for years, but he vanished without a trace."

Cruz's expression remained unreadable, though his eyes flickered with faint interest. "So you claim he escaped," he said, his voice cool. "Once again, Convenient."

Borich's frustration boiled over. "Convenient or not, it's the truth. The old man is gone. If he has knowledge that's crucial to this temple, we don't have it. Perhaps someone else does."

The implication in Borich's words was clear, and it didn't go unnoticed. While he hadn't directly accused Cruz, his statement suggested that the Krafal Second Alliance might know more than they were letting on.

Cruz smirked faintly, clearly unfazed. "Believe what you will, Borich. But let me remind you of something. That old man was no ordinary elder. He alone knew the exact timing required to open this temple."

The crowd tensed as Cruz spoke, his words dripping with weight. "This isn't just about having the right key or the right person. Without the precise timing, nothing works. The temple remains sealed."

Murmurs spread among the crowd. The true complexity of the temple's secrets was becoming clearer. It wasn't just about possessing the Son of Stardust or uncovering the right relics—everything had to align perfectly, and the old man had held the key to that alignment.

Borich's eyes narrowed. "If that's true," he said carefully, "then someone else must have that knowledge. We no longer have the old man, Cruz. Perhaps he fled to someone else. Or perhaps..." He trailed off, his meaning clear.

Cruz's smile faded slightly, his composure unwavering. "You can try to deflect, but the truth remains. The timing of this meeting is no coincidence. Someone clearly knows when the temple is set to open, and they've ensured everyone is here for it."

Both leaders fell silent, their sharp minds working to piece together the growing puzzle. Around them, their followers whispered anxiously, while the scattered explorers clung to the walls, trying to stay out of the brewing storm.

Suddenly, the room began to shift.

The kaleidoscopic platforms suspended above began to dissolve, their vibrant colors fading into darkness. The aurora that had once rippled through the chamber dimmed, replaced by a rolling void. A fierce wind surged through the space, carrying with it a crushing pressure that forced many to their knees.

Gasps filled the chamber as every eye turned upward. There, suspended in the swirling chaos, a massive white portal appeared. Its edges shimmered with energy, and its center radiated an intense, otherworldly glow. It pulsed like a living entity, the sheer magnitude of its presence overwhelming everyone in the room.

The temple was opening.

For years, for decades, for centuries, the mysteries of the temple had remained locked away. The legends surrounding its power had drawn countless explorers, scholars, and warriors, but none had ever made it this far. Now, at this very moment, the gateway to another realm was unveiling itself before their eyes.