[36] The Temple Tales VII: A Race

"After a dark night comes a bright day. But today seems like the Sun doesn't want to show up for us. As if we are not allowed to get over the events of the last night."

I stared up at the sky while feeling the fresh morning wind on my face. The grey clouds were roaring high above the temple. The lightning was yet to mark its presence. Though, the environment wasn't as dark as of an approaching storm. But it was neither a sunny one. Just the kind of weather you would want during a tour.

A sudden jerk had awakened me from the nightmares.

Alma was by my side, seated on the edge of the bed. With her friend, Maya, she had found me at the top of the tower, asleep beside the window. But I was sure, I might have passed out.

They had followed my scent while patrolling the temple.

My legs were numb when they found me. I was freezing. So, they immediately took me to my Chamber and covered me with two heavy quilts. One started rubbing my palms, the other had taken my feet. They even gave me spoons of some potion to bring warmth to my body.

Later, Alma gave me the bed tea. She further guided me to the common bathrooms. They had no doors. I requested her to put a curtain for me. She did so and I was thankful. Though, the freezing air was able to pass through the corridors and windows were making me shiver continuously until I had one more cup of tea afterward with a slice of bread.

She provided me a red long dress to change into. I was thankful for it. Well because it was refreshing to wear a one-piece dress rather than the blouse and long skirt one by one. Wearing my cloak and a heavy shawl, that was sent by none other than Lucine, for me, Alma took me to the backyard of the temple.

My eyes were mesmerized by the big mountains at the front and the pine trees covering all of them. The clouds were hiding their peaks while the continuous wind was creating a loud noise.

The glimpses from last night would appear in my mind every time I would zone out absentmindedly. Those six Severans and the woman, more like some demonic soul, who followed and forced me up to that tower, had shaken the soul in me. But those towers of different heights were a secret.

I was taught about Severans, the temple, and everything else. But I was never told about another temple. It could be possible that only Severans were aware of it. Or maybe, just Lucine.

Using as much as of my mind, I could conclude that my stars had made me reach the top of that tower for me to find those towers. Maybe. Just maybe, Severa's ashes were in that temple.

What if this temple was just used as a hostel while the one I saw last night was the real one where Severa took her last breaths? Maybe, this was why he Lycans were never worried about the brides roaming freely. They performed no torture like the ones the packs were assuming all these years. They could have kept the brides in the dungeons, locked and restricted to go out, and find Severa's belongings.

But they didn't do anything like that. They are unafraid. It was easy to understand that even after marking their brides, Lycans could be aware of the mythology classes and training of the females outside the border. But it didn't worry them the way any alert pack would be. Instead, the Lycans were free of any worries. It wasn't even about underestimating the brides.

They just were sure that the brides would never be able to find Severa's belongings.

So, this temple could be a replica of the real one except for the extra towers.

"Do you want more tea?" Alma asked all of a sudden, pulling me out of my deep thoughts.  The shape of her eyes was narrow and cat-like. Even with her rabbit teeth making her look so innocent, the eyes would stable the boldness on her face.

I shook my head. "No, thank you."

She nodded and looked away at the front.

I blinked and suddenly felt like asking, "What was Tara like?"

The question brought a sad smile on her face. "Lively, " she whispered while looking up at the sky. "She would be silent one moment and laughing out the loudest the next. One day, she would run around the corridors, asking for Rosetta to catch her while on another, she would be the most obedient one."

"After Miggy and Aunt Earlene left us, she would spend her days wandering alone. But when we had noticed the sorrows on her face, we informed brother Karam and Lysar about this. They used to take care of her then. They would bring her dresses and meat. Together, they would play with the pups in the street including us. It was a joy to be around her, " said Alma while glancing at me. "She would have been so eager to be with you and befriend you."

I smiled while gulping slowly.

"Without a mother, a daughter's words get ignored by her sisters-in-law. Even if Amelia and Nysa were caring towards her, they couldn't give her the love of a mother. It's just not the same." Alma said while I sighed softly.

"I know the feeling, " I mumbled while running fingers through my hair. They were still wet and thus, the wind would make me shudder. I kept my head covered with the shawl of the hood.

"But you speak openly, without any care.",Alma said while looking at me. "Miggy and Tara couldn't be like that, " she said while shaking her head. "Amelia is our Luna. She might have a tad bit of voice as for brother King is a respectful lover like brother Salome. But Nysa and Alvena, the voiced get pressed by the glares of men. Even mine."

I stared at her. She had glossiness in those beautiful blue eyes. "Noira is courageous to speak up against the wrong. But that never comes to use, because her brothers aren't wild as mine. You disappointed by not giving back the punishment to brother Anton when he scared you like that, the night."

I had almost forgotten that incident. But now, I was embarrassed again.

"I am disappointed in myself, Alma. Trust me." I muttered while lowering my eyes. "Karam came to hit him but at that moment, everything was just thunderous."

Alma sighed while looking at me. "You don't believe in brother Karam's words?"

"I can't hear his heartbeats.",I said quietly, not looking at her. "I won't let it go until he proves it to me. And there is no proof of his innocence. I am only going empty-handed from here. More confused than before."

"No one goes empty-handed from a temple, sister-in-law.",Alma said while covering my hand.

I smiled tightly while she added, "No one from our big family ever comes to take us away back to home for the first return. Even for another reason, but you are here and will accompany us back to home. We all are delighted. But I pray, that from next time you only have good reasons to visit this temple."

I cupped her hand with my other one and nodded actively. A smile came upon my lips at her words.

"Thank you, Alma."

The loud shrieks suddenly caught me off guard. I was startled and immediately bent near her while looking up at the roof.

The glimpses of last night suddenly started appearing in my mind. "What was that?" I asked while breathing erratically.

Alma chuckled while leaving my hands getting up. She stretched while nodding back towards the inside of the temple. "Just the females playing around. They had a rough night. Now, their day needs to be an easy one, " she said while smiling goofily.

Loud footsteps occurred along with yells and squeals of the females.

"How are you now, Aunt Misty?" A voice came from behind.

I glanced back and smiled tightly at Reveka. "I am better, thank you. How are you?" I asked while she unexpectedly came closer to me and hugged my elbow.

Laying her head on my shoulder, she mumbled, "It's not playing around. It means a lot to the newcomers here."

Alma chuckled while shaking her head. "I can see that, " she said while nodding towards the door going inside the temple.

Red dresses were in sight as two girls came running from the same door. Their hair flied so wildly as they running at a higher pace.

"Alora took it, " said Reveka disappointingly. She straightened up and left my elbow. "Where in the world is Emily when she needs to be here?"

"Melanie!" The girls hooted from the windows of the first floor when a girl snatched the red cloth from Alora's hand.

"What's happening?" I asked in shock when they started fighting each other, ripping each other's hair. Both were gritting teeth while rolling over.

"The newcomers fight over giving Severa the first cloth as a thanking gift for letting them go home after the full moon," Alma said while shrugging her shoulders. "Stella!" She squealed when three girls ran out of the doors and jumped on Alora and Melanie.

I staggered back when the group came closer to us. They were trying to snatch the cloth from each other so ruthlessly. There were punches and blood. Oh, God!

"It's a ritual, the Severans made by themselves," Reveka said while huffing silently. "Now, the custom has been passed on to the generations. The newcomers just believe in it so much."

"What really happens?" I asked as Melanie let out a loud cry. Emily had elbowed her in the stomach. While Stella and Alora were wrestling with Janine.

The girls hooted for their favorite ones. My eyes moved over to the windows of the floors. Lucine was standing on the third floor with her hands hidden inside the sleeves of her cloak. Pale face and eyes couldn't be seen enough to guess where she was even looking at.

"Come on, Stella!" Noira yelled from the first floor. "Stella! Stella! Stella!"

Alma laughed while Reveka narrowed her eyes. "Quite the family, " she commented while walking closer to the crow that had started to form around the wrestling girls. "Emily! Snatch it from them!"

"Whoever takes the red cloth in the end and let out a victory howl, she gets the chance to tie it around Severa's wrist. There's a small rumor that goes around from the generations, that Severa forms a friendship kind of bond with that newcomer. It is like getting her attention easily without even really completing a year of prayers here." Alma explained while my eyebrows raised.

"Well, " I mumbled and started walking towards the crowd to stand beside Reveka. "Emily! Emily! Emily!"

Reveka chuckled as we both cheered for her.

"Janine!" Stella screamed while punching hard on Alora's face twice.

Alora's eyes closed and Janine pulled her back holding her from the underarms. "Leave her there!" Stella yelled as the senior girls took care of an injured Alora who couldn't participate anymore.

Melanie and Emily were having a tough fight with both of them wrestling with each other.

"Come on, Emily!" I yelled while suddenly remembering that Stella was as important as her. She was Nysa's daughter and Nysa had done so much for Karam. "Come on, Stella!"

Noira had reached the grounds with her friends and had joined us. The crowd was getting bigger as even the cooks and the sweeping ones had arrived, leaving their chores in the middle.

"Lift her and throw her away!" Reveka yelled while Emily tried to do so with all her might.

Her tall height had an advantage over Melanie's petite body. But she was fast.

The suspense turned intense as Melanie gave the tough fight to a strong Emily who wasn't ready to lose. Melanie had the cloth wrapped around her hand so messily. Emily was having a hard time taking it from her.

Both roller over and Emily nearly took a seat over Melanie's stomach.

I gasped when Emily punched her hard on the face.

"Using your Alpha strength on me!" Melanie yelled tauntingly.

Alma and Noira turned quiet while Reveka flared her nostrils.

Emily turned angry and punched her again, trying to make her faint.

"That's wrong!" Janine yelled while reaching Emily's behind and wrapping her legs around her neck, ripping her hair.

My eyes widened and I gasped loudly.

Stella gritted her teeth and used the time to snatch the cloth from Melanie's hand.

Emily growled angrily and grabbed the first full of Janine's hair, nearly throwing her away.

"First, help me clean this one out!" Stella yelled while Janine punched back Emily's face.

Nothing affected Emily as she just sneered at Janine.

"You stupid bitches aren't even fighting for the cloth!" Reveka yelled while Janine and Emily kept wrestling with each other.

Melanie took the lead by pulling Stella by the leg and dragging her across the grass.

"Stella!" Janine yelled worriedly along with Alma and Noira.

Emily was so lost in beating Janine, she punched her hard across the cheek, making her fall back the ground.

Melanie twisted Stella's leg while my heart started drowning.

"It's getting too much!" I said out loud and no one gave it any attention.

Everyone was hooked on the fight.

"Let's get them out!" Stella yelled while Janine gritted her teeth angrily.

Janine twisted her leg and kicked Emily right on the face.

My jaw dropped when Stella bent up and grabbed a hold of Melanie's dress. Pulling it, she climbed on her front and wrapped her leg around the neck, sitting on her shoulder. Punching her hard on the face while ripping her hair, she made Melanie cry out loud.

"Emily!" Reveka and I yelled out loud worriedly when Janine got up. Emily was in no position to defend as she was groaning from the pain on her face from that kick. Janine left no space for mercy as she smirked and elbowed Emily hard on the stomach.

"Stop it!" I yelled when Janine was about to do it again.

"Ask her to yield!" She spat back while giving me the raise of eyebrows.

My mouth parted when Emily still moved and tried to get up.

Janine wasted no time in elbowing her again.

"Stop it! Enough! She doesn't even have the cloth!" Reveka yelled while walking towards her injured sister.

Janine wiped the blood off her lip while Noira and Reveka pulled Emily back.

I reached them and gasped at seeing Emily spitting out the blood. Her cheek was swelling already.

Melanie was pulling Stella's hair when I looked back at the scene. She had pulled her down by twisted her leg again. Stella couldn't remove it from her hand even now.

"Stop using your Alpha strength on me!" Melanie screamed when Stella twisted her ear and used the time to snatch the cloth.

Melanie gritted her teeth through tears and took a first full of Stella's thick hair and nearly twisted her neck.

"Woah!" Noira gasped while my eyes widened.

Stella's eyes rolled all of a sudden by the attack and her arms loosened.

A kick came right back of her knee, Melanie fell on the ground hitting her knees more.

Stella fell right away but she stable herself. Both she and Janine exchanged a glance and boom. . . they went for Melanie who was still recovering from the pain on her knees.

"Would Beta strength be fine with you?" Janine taunted knowingly.

"Injustice!" Melanie screamed when Janine wrapped her arm around her neck and started choking her.

My hand reached for Reveka's as Stella used that time to unroll the red cloth from her hand.

"That's unfair, " said Emily hoarsely who was sitting on the ground near our feet, witnessing the fight.

"Two on one, " Melanie choked out while Stella had successfully taken the cloth.

Janine left her immediately. Melanie immediately turned around and gasped for air. She kicked Janine on the face, making her fall. Stella didn't like that and punched Melanie hard on the face.

Before Melanie could attack again, Janine stabled herself and gritted her teeth. Stella pushed Melanie on the chest by her hands, and took immediate hold of her knees, making her fall back on the ground.

Janine took the chance to stand over her and punched her hard on the face. My hand reached for my cheek in empathy for Melanie's pain.

The girl had passed out while Noira modded at the senior one of her ages to drag back Melanie's body.

I blinked worriedly as they wiped the blood off her face and knees while sprinkling water on her face.

Stella and Janine were in the limelight as the crowd started clapping all of a sudden.

"Fight! Fight! Fight!"

"Go on, Stella!" Reveka yelled along with Noira and Alma.

Stella and Janine exchanged a goofy glance as Stella had the cloth wrapped around her hand. Both chuckled while spitting blood on the grass.

"You take it, " Stella said, making the crowd laugh.

Janine shook her head. "Fine. Give it to me."

Everyone chuckled except for me because this was nowhere near funny.

"You remember the bet?" Stella asked while Janine nodded at her best friend.

Everyone looked at them curiously. It was a scene like a hostel where the seniors were impressed by the two freshers.

"Don't spoil it! Fight!" Noira roared angrily. "Fight! That's how you earn that cloth!"

Janine bent down slowly and so did Stella, both now moving towards their right slowly to create an invisible orbit they were walking on.

Stella tilted her head while slowly unrolling the cloth off her palm. "Let's make it fair then, " she said loudly while the crowd cheered in agreement.

"I remember the bet, " said Janine in a reply to her best friend's question. "Whoever reaches the left tower first will be the winner."

Stella smiled goofily while putting the red cloth in the middle as they both circled around it.

"Grab it, Stella!" Reveka yelled loudly.

Noira was about to cheer too. But her eyes fell on one of the windows and she said, "Janine, do it. Your sister's watching."

My eyes moved up towards the windows of the third floor. At the middle one, Lucine was gone and in her place, now Rosetta was standing with her poker face on.

"Do it, females!" Alma cheered encouraging, creating a wave of applause for the girls.

Goosebumps rose on my arms as the sky had been silently watching with us. But now, it was roaring. Thunders and lightning erupted.

Both the girls were looking in each other's eyes and kept moving in circles.

"You take it, " said Stella amusingly.

Janine blinked and nodded. "You take it, " she mouthed while I narrowed my eyes.

Emily hugged my leg for support gently while all the girls had started to bend in suspense for the close view.

"The bell appears only for the winner, " said Stella knowingly. "Even if you go Janine, you won't see it."

"The bells of your defeat will rung inside your head for months, darling." Janine replied while stepping carefully.

Noira walked closer to them and flared nostrils. "Three!" She waited while looking at both the girls. "Two!"

Melanie had woke up from her wounds and was slowly crawling near Noira's feet. She sneered, "You might be a great best friend. But you are no less than your sister."

Janine stiffened while all the girls counted together. "One!"

Stella took the cloth right away and ran through the crowd at an unbelievable pace.

Noira and Alma squealed in happiness while Emily slowly got up with my help. She too started cheering as all of them stared up at the left tower, waiting for Stella to reach there.

My eyes moved back on Melanie who was now smirking and walking away from the scene to wash her wounds.

While Janine was standing there numb with her eyes up at the third floor, probably looking at her elder sister.

Rosetta removed her hands off the railing and walked away.

"Is it true?" I asked while looking at Alma. "There is a bell there? I did not see one in the right tower."

Alma smiled at me while the crowd had started clapping already. "Each tower holds a form of magic. A form of secret. The left one has a magical bell that only appears when a winner approaches it. For years, it's just a rumour. But when the bell rings. . ."

The sound of bell ringing started echoing everywhere. It was slow and loud.

Thunder rang across the sky while the rain started pouring.

The girls laughed and cheered while Stella showed the red cloth from the window in between ringing the bell.

Janine walked away and so did Emily to wash their wounds.

"We all believe in her, " said Alma while closing her eyes and feeling the rain hitting her face. "We believe in Severa."

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"What do you think?"

Please vote and comment.

(The comments graph has declined. Please. I have exams and I doing this for you. Chapters are long. Let me know if you enjoyed or what are your thoughts about any scene or thing.)

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I wrote this chapter once. Then I thought, it felt like an extra. I asked my friend if this should be added or not. Then, I remembered why I wrote it at the first place.

To create a parallel.

Like how the girls were being trained by mythology classes and spy tricks. While here, there was a different purpose and a whole institution for the girls. Both the groups are given the hope that their lives could be worse for the eternity.

By marrying a Lycan or by being a Lycan.

Moreover, I just didn't want a blank space for you all. If Misty is there and spending time, she will witness the routines and events there. The competition spirit is always there in an institution.

So, at last, I decided to publish this one. I might delete it later. Call it a bonus chapter. Or if you find it good, then well and good.

I am writing the next chapter. Will update it very soon.

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