The late-morning sun was already beating down on the basalt tiles of the Fire Temple with almost tangible intensity. The air shimmered beneath the heat, but a heavy dampness crept between the sculpted columns and black stone walls. The ritual lanterns, extinguished since dawn, still released thin wisps of cold ash that mingled with the smell of ozone and dry earth. In the courtyard, the usual weekend silence had given way to a cheerful, anticipatory tension, almost military in nature.
"Ah, there come Areyos and Yoko! Zendal, hand me as many water balloons as you can!" Barrios shouted, his deep voice echoing between the pillars.
Areyos ran his fingers through his hair, the strands already weighed down by the morning dew. He froze for a moment, his eyes widening.
"Seriously?! Them too?! How did Kaiser manage to convince them?!"
