the altar, her mind a whirlwind of questions. The figure bound in chains, whose voice had called her name with such certainty,

her voice steadier now but

his voice a velvety baritone that reverberated in the chamber. "A name you will not find

icate magical circles surrounding the altar. "If you are imprisoned here, it must be for a reason," she said

hilling. "Ah, the faith of the devoted

thing they tell you? Have you never q

press it. "I have no reason to doubt the church," she replied

n to a forbidden place, listening to the whispers of a voice you cannot expla

ever spoken of the quiet doubts that had lingered at the edges of

she said, though th

al runes flare briefly, a reminder of the power keeping him bound. "I have watched you, Elara. I have

nsumed by the weight of his presence. She wanted to turn and run, to escape this place and forget e

" she asked finally, her v

p," he said simply. "The seal that binds me here is ancient, but it weakens wi

Free you? Why would I d

ot always as you see me now. Once, I was a being of light, a guardian of truths too dangerous for mortal

she could not ignore. Could it be true? Could the church, the insti

usly, "why should I trust you? You could b

were truly the monster they claim, would I not simply demand your obedience? Instead, I offer you a choice. Help m

ld her to walk away, to return to the safety of the cathedral above. Yet a part of her, the part that had a

id finally, her voice steady d

u need," he said. "But remember, E

piral staircase felt longer than before, each step weighed down by the burden of what she had seen and heard. When s

and service offered little solace. Her mind kept returning to the chamber, to the glowing eyes of the

d at the ceiling, her thoughts a chaotic tangle of fear, curiosity, and doubt. She tried

she heard it a

racing. The voice was faint, barely more than a w

und herself moving toward the forbidden wing once more. The corridors were dark, lit only by the faint glow

is was madness. She should turn back, forget everything, and focus o

hed the door open and descend

ting. His eyes glowed in the darkness, and

said, his voice fill

ing. "I want answers," she said. "If I a

idened. "Then