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As we descended further, I could hear the muted patter of rain against the shuttle’s roof.
It wasn’t the torrential downpour one might expect from such dark clouds, but rather a soft, constant drizzle that seemed to permeate everything.
I activated the shuttle’s sensors, scanning the immediate vicinity for any signs of life or hidden threats.
The display flickered to life, showing a patchwork of greens and blues — the signature of local vegetation and the life-signs of small, benign wildlife.
Nothing else.
No other technology.
No other intelligent beings.
Just us.
The planet’s atmosphere filtered through the shuttle’s ventilation system. “Seems like we’re alone here,” I remarked, glancing over at Isla.
She nodded, her face illuminated by the dim cockpit lights, her eyes scanning the rain-soaked environment. “It looks desolate,” she observed, a note of apprehension in her voice.
A memory, a flash from a previous life, briefly crossed my mind.
This place had been a sanctuary once.
It wasn’t about the physical beauty or the surroundings but the security it offered.
A place hidden from prying eyes, away from the relentless pursuit of the Balance.
The shuttle touched down, its landing gear sinking slightly into the marshy ground.
The sound of the rain grew louder, more immediate.
I hit the release, and the shuttle’s door slid open, revealing the bleak landscape outside.
The first thing that hit me was the smell.
The rich, earthy aroma of wet soil and decaying vegetation.
It was intoxicating.
Beneath it was another, fainter scent — the mossy, almost musky odor of ancient stone.
Pulling up my hood, I stepped out into the rain.
The droplets felt cool on my skin, each one a tiny, refreshing pinprick as it struck.
I took a moment to savor the sensation, feeling the moisture cling to my clothes, matting my hair against my forehead.
Isla emerged beside me, her face tilted up to the sky, letting the rain wash over her.
The droplets clung to her eyelashes, making them look like tiny jewels.
We stood there, side by side, just letting the world envelope us for a few moments.
“We should move,” I said eventually, breaking the spell.
The temple wasn’t far, but I didn’t want to be out in the open for longer than necessary.
Isla nodded, and we began our trek across the marshy ground.
