Chapter 107:"The Sun Temple Hustle"

Chapter 107: "The Sun Temple Hustle"

Stormway City greeted the group with its bustling energy and a blend of curious stares.

With 45 warriors moving as a single unit through the crowded streets, it was no surprise that heads turned in wonder, but no one bothered to ask what they were doing there. Some out of fear, most out of disregard.

The place seemed rustic, no modern tech to be seen, only people carrying goods on their heads or pushing carts like it was another era entirely. There weren't any influx of modern technology, like this was a backwater city.

"We're here now, but where's this damn Sun Temple?" Ashley Duve muttered, scanning the horizon with an irritated squint.

"Well... that's easy," Ikehara replied confidently, gesturing to a passing woman carrying a water gourd on her head. As she approached, he noticed the lack of cars, street lights, or anything remotely advanced. It was like time had stopped in this corner of Grinwall.

"Good afternoon, beautiful lady," Ikehara flashed a charming smile, bowing slightly. "We've journeyed far to Stormway City to pay our respects to the Sun God. Would you be so kind as to point us in the right direction?"

The woman froze for a second, clearly not used to being addressed so elegantly by a stranger. Her cheeks flushed, and she stammered slightly. "Oh, um, well… it's just over those hills. You'll see a large crowd heading there. It's hard to miss."

Ikehara, not one to miss an opportunity, gently took her hand and kissed it lightly. "Thank you, my lady. I hope we meet again after our visit." The poor woman looked like she might faint from sheer happiness, barely able to manage a wave as Ikehara and the group continued on.

"Damn, Ikehara's smooth. If we weren't here, she'd be halfway out of her pants," Ecdy whispered with a grin.

Nyala gave him a playful smack upside the head. "Be civil, Ecdy. We're not animals."

"Yeah, man," Nymff added, delivering her own slap. "Show some respect."

Lhiza chuckled and joined in, giving Ecdy another light whack. "Better learn to speak properly around ladies, or we'll train it into you."

"What did I do?" Ecdy whined, rubbing the back of his head in mock hurt, but he just couldn't keep the grin off his face.

As they continued, Tessa's consciousness took over Ashley's body for a brief moment. Without wasting time, Tessa moved closer to Adrian and whispered, "Whatever Ashley says, just go along with it, alright? No arguments." And just as suddenly as she'd appeared, Tessa was gone, leaving Adrian slightly dazed.

Adrian blinked, taking a moment to absorb her words. Nyala, ever observant, caught the exchange. "Tessa's in control again, isn't she?"

"Seems like it," Adrian muttered, still thinking about what Tessa had said. –Now what is that insane bitch up to? First the moon dew and now the flame of the sun god... What is the end game here?– Adrian pondered.

The group paused at a small inn before heading to the temple, hoping to rest their weary legs and replenish their energy. As they entered, the innkeeper, a middle-aged woman with the look of someone who had seen and heard it all, approached.

"What'll it be?" she asked, expecting small orders from the group. After all, she wasn't expecting the group to be wealthy, or so she thought–.

Ecdy, of course, was the first to speak. "A big plate of rice, pepper stew, fruit, and lots of meat. Lots."

Before anyone of the waiters could answer, it was chaos. People shouted their orders one after the other, the poor woman along with the other waiters, scribbling furiously to keep up.

"I'll have the same but with extra stew!"

"Fried fish for me!"

"No, make that two portions of everything!"

It was like a food war had erupted, and the innkeeper was caught in the crossfire. Yet, despite the madness, she was inwardly ecstatic. Forty-five hungry warriors meant a massive payday. She could already see the coins piling up in her purse. "I must've been a good genie in my past life," she muttered under her breath, as plates of food were hurried out to satisfy the ravenous crowd.

As the group ate, Tessa —still in control —materialized enough money to cover everyone's bill except for Ikehara. It wasn't the first time she'd done this. Whenever it came to Ikehara, she always left him to foot his own bill.

"Don't mind this, Ikehara," she'd said the first time, her tone playful yet firm. "You're a man; you shouldn't rely on me for everything. Plus, I'm helping you save face in front of the others."

Ikehara had reluctantly accepted the explanation, though something felt off. Ashley Duve— the real Ashley— wasn't one to leave him hanging like that. She'd never care about his "face" in public; she'd just pay for everyone and keep it moving. This version of her, however, was different. It confused him, though he couldn't quite put his finger on why.

Once everyone was done and the innkeeper had gleefully collected the money, she immediately closed the inn for the rest of the day. "With this kind of payout, I'm taking a well-deserved break," she mumbled, practically skipping off to count her earnings.

The group finally made their way out of the inn, rejuvenated and ready for the next leg of their journey. The road to the Sun Temple lay ahead, just beyond the hills as the kind woman had directed.

As they approached the temple's towering silhouette, the air seemed to grow heavier, the kind that presses on your chest and makes you feel like something important is about to happen.

"Stay sharp," Nyala muttered to Adrian and the rest of the group as they approached the entrance.

The temple loomed before them, with intricate carvings depicting the Sun God and his many victories over darkness. The structure was imposing, but something about it felt off, like it had seen far too many battles of its own.