"I hope so," Braze murmured his voice low as he motioned for her to follow.
Braze stepped up to the pathway, his green eyes tracing the narrow trail winding down the cliffside. The path, carved long ago by fishermen braving the treacherous waters below, showed its age. Smooth edges and faint indentations hinted at where ropes or railings might have once aided descent. No more than two feet wide at its broadest point, the trail was slick with salt spray and scattered with loose rocks. Braze knew such paths dotted the coast, lifelines for the Veridians venturing into dangerous waters, but none were truly safe. The sea breeze tugged at his cloak, bringing the sharp scent of brine as waves surged below.
"Careful," Braze warned, glancing back to ensure she followed. The ridge narrowed before giving way to a carved path hugging the cliff. Wind and tide had smoothed the stone, leaving its surface worn but steady. Below, shoals teemed with life—fish darting in shimmering schools and crabs scuttling over rocks.
The sound of water grew louder as they pressed on. Rounding a bend, the path widened slightly, revealing an opening shrouded in mist. A waterfall thundered into a brackish lagoon where ocean currents mingled with fresh mountain streams, creating a swirling pool of green and blue.
Braze stepped aside, letting her take in the view, then pointed toward a hidden entrance behind the waterfall.
"Through there," he said, raising his voice over the roar.
The spray soaked them, cool and sharp against their skin. Beyond the curtain of water lay a cavern—dark, expansive, alive with the echoes of crashing waves. The salty surf lapped at a smooth, sandy floor, and luminous algae clung to the walls, casting a soft glow.
Inside, the cavern exuded a hushed reverence. Stalactites hung like ancient teeth, and pools of water rippled with each distant boom of the tide. A natural shelf along one wall was scattered with seashells and trinkets—perhaps left by visitors long gone.
Deeper within, the space transformed. Hidden beneath a rocky overhang, a recessed alcove appeared. Braze stepped aside to reveal a shrine-like structure carved into the stone. Weathered symbols etched into its surface glowed faintly, responding to their presence.
An ancient gong sat at the center, flanked by unlit braziers. Around the shrine lay remnants of a monk-like order—prayer beads, tattered scrolls in protective cases, and stone bowls stained with ceremonial oils.
Above the shrine, an engraved crescent moon cradling a dagger held an air of quiet reverence. The alcove smelled faintly of incense, as though its last rites had only recently faded. It felt as if the monks or warriors who once inhabited this place had left it for someone worthy to find.
"This is the real secret," Braze said, his voice softer now.
"Someone left something behind here—something worth remembering."
The air was cool and damp, heavy with salt and minerals. A soft light filtered through the waterfall, refracting into shards of color that danced across the water's surface. It felt like another world, untouched by chaos above—a hidden sanctuary shaped by nature's rhythm.
Deeper still, a narrow passageway led to another chamber. Chrysm and mirrors adorned the walls. Braze knelt by an unlit brazier, adjusting a mirrored panel. A beam of light refracted from the cavern pierced the chamber, splitting into rays that danced across the chrysm.
"This," he said,
"is a puzzle left by the monks who guarded this place."
The walls shimmered as light bounced between mirrors and chrysm, aligning to form symbols etched into the stone floor. A faint click echoed, and a concealed panel in the far wall slid open.
Beside the panel stood a carved stone plaque, its symbols bold but cryptic.
Braze examined it, his brow furrowing.
"I've seen a plaque like this before... the other one held a warning. I'm not sure what this one says."
Aliris Tremiru
, knocking lightly on the door to her dorm room at the temple. Today was perfect for what he had planned. The weather was great and balmy. He wore dark robes with vibrant crimson accents. His boots gleamed with a military shine, and a short mantel draped over his shoulders. The Jedi Crusader pendant rested on his chest, proudly displayed outside his robes.
