The Awakening

CHAPTER 3

Eric picked himself back up after the pain reduced, and he began to head back home.

Every time Eric headed back home, he usually took a route that would lead him to the backyard of his home.

But today, he noticed Kent and his group heading towards that same route after beating the crap out of him, so he decided to go home through a route that he had no idea of.

He walked into the woods and began to make his way forward with his hands deflecting off the branches blocking his path. 

The place was filled with tall trees that barely had leaves on them and were really dry, and the floor was littered with brown leaves.

The area was quiet, and the only sound that could be heard was the sound of birds chirping. Eric advanced; he had no idea where he was headed, but he hoped it would lead him back home.

He would have taken the usual route, but he was afraid of running into Kent and his group, and they would end up beating him up again. "Those guys won't just leave me alone. I wonder what it is they want with me that makes them always pestering me." Eric huffed under his breath as he walked through the woods. 

While walking forward, Eric suddenly halted his steps after catching sight of a tall building a few meters away from where he was. 

Eric stood there for a few minutes, wondering just why there was a building inside a forest like this.

Curiosity got the best of him, and he chose to take a sneak peek at what the building is all about. "A glance wouldn't hurt a fly." He convinced himself as he slowly approached the building.

As he grew nearer, he could finally see the building more clearly. It looked like a temple with two strange statues of an ancient man stationed by the entrance, and a tall golden door at the center. "What is this place?" Eric mused, his gaze fixed intently on the temple standing before him. "Should I take a quick look at what's inside? Or should I just go?"

A look of contemplation was etched on his face as he pondered just what to do. After a few minutes of thinking, Eric decided to turn around and leave. 

"Eric!" While he attempted to walk away, he heard the voice of a lady call his name softly, which made him turn around swiftly with widened eyes.

"Who's there?" Eric demanded while glancing at the temple, but no one responded. 

Eric thought it was all in his head, and he turned around to leave, but the voice called his name again. "Eric!"

"Who's there? What do you want?" Eric questioned in a demanding tone. He gazed at the building for a few minutes before walking towards it slowly while glancing around. 

He had no plan to go in, but he could feel something mysterious pulling him closer like it wanted him inside.

Eric arrived in front of the entrance door and pushed it open. The gigantic golden doors flung open, revealing the dimly lit temple inside.

Eric stood at the entrance of the temple before walking in slowly. Entering the place, Eric shifted his gaze around in bewilderment.

The place was neatly arranged with a red carpet that covered the whole floor, tall golden pillars here and there.

Strange statues that looked like beasts were scattered around the corners of the place, giving an eerie vibe that sent shivers down Eric's spine. 

"Who's calling my name?" Eric voiced out, and his voice echoed throughout the place, but he still didn't receive a response from anyone.

"Screw this, I'm out of here." Eric frowned as he turned around to leave, but the door through which he had come was shut. 

"What the hell?" Eric exclaimed as he attempted to open it, but no matter how much he tried, he failed to open it, nor did the door even move slightly. It felt like it was locked with a strong spell.

"What's going on? Let me out!" Eric cried out, banging the door nonstop with his heart racing in fear.

"How are you in here, boy?" While Eric was busy banging on the door, he heard an elderly voice from behind, which made him turn around instantly. 

On turning around, Eric saw an old man dressed in a long orange robe that touched the floor, wrinkles all over his face, and a long white beard that touched the floor.

"I honestly don't know. I heard this girl calling my name, but when I came in here, there was no one, and now that u want to leave, the door is shut!" Eric explained with sweat trickling down his face.

The man stood there glancing at him with a surprised expression, and he began to walk towards Eric. 

Seeing the man walking towards him, Eric's heart raced, and he began to move backwards until his back hit the wall, and there was nowhere else to go.

"This place you are right now is what we call the Sacred Magical Temple." The elderly man halted his steps in front of Eric and spoke.

"I've heard that before. A temple that cannot be seen by mere human eyes, unless the person is a descendant of the seven Magical gods." Eric muttered.

"Exactly. No one has come into this temple for centuries, ever since the gods departed from earth, but here you are. You were able to see the temple and also enter inside, meaning you must be a descendant of one of the Magical gods." The elderly man spoke in an audible tone.

"What? Don't be ridiculous, man. Me? A descendant of a god? That's absurd. My father is a man who helps people do their house chores; there's no way I am related to some gods." Eric uttered in disbelief.

"And what about your mother? Where is she?" The elderly man questioned.