A few more steps and we reach the base of the mountain where two massive oak doors open before us. The Head Priestess steps inside, but as we reach the threshold, both Wyn and I hesitate.

"Move," the priestesses command us from behind, more or less pushing us over the edge.

We both stumble inside, our eyes widening as we take in the high ceiling of the hallway. The temple is built within the mountain, and the walls reflect that, rocks with specks of gold surrounding us. The streaks of metal in the stone glint as light from a window roof hits them, giving the sensation that the air shimmers with particles of gold too.

The priestesses stop at the entrance, not coming inside. As we look back, the doors close shut with a bang, leaving us alone with the high priestess, who is currently nowhere to be seen.

"We are so dead," Wyn mutters. "If she doesn't kill us, my parents will finish the job since there's no way they won't hear of this."

"Calm down. Maybe she just wants to talk to us... I mean, she did say she's never seen a red candidate before, and I technically broke the sphere, although that was just an accident."

"I bet you she doesn't think it was just an accident," she adds dryly.

We walk with our arms linked together, huddled against each other as we try to keep our calm.

Toward the back of the room, there's a ceiling-high golden statue of the same woman from the fountain, but this one is more exquisitely crafted, her hair and clothing made up of sparkling diamonds and rubies. There's a striking mix of rustic and ostentatious, the stones providing an almost medieval feel while the precious stones speak to the affluence of the temple.

We're both staring at the beautiful statue when a loud noise shifts our attention to the side of the room where a giant boulder slides to the right to reveal a hidden entrance.

"Come in." The high priestess's voice resounds, though she's not physically present.

Wyn and I share a look. I know we're both thinking about the same thing. We could take our chances and try to escape, but it would likely engender a struggle that would only end up with us getting hurt. The only option is to move forward. Nodding at each other, we hold hands as we slowly make our way to the hidden entrance.

It's dark and cold. That's the first impression as we step into the cramped tunnel. The moment we are out of the main hallway, though, the stone slides back into place, a loud thud denoting there's no way back. We can only go forward.

There's a flickering light at the end of the tunnel, and we take careful, tentative steps as we head toward it. Once we reach the room, we both shield our eyes at the sudden burst of light.

"Wow," Wyn whispers.