The Empty Temple

Mariza sat cross-legged on the temple's wooden floor, staring at the large front door. The building looked more like a cozy house than a proper temple, with its warm yellow walls and simple furniture. Goddess symbols carved into the doorframe caught the afternoon light streaming through tall windows.

She checked her phone again. Still no messages.

"They should be back by now," she whispered to herself, tucking a turquoise streak behind her ear. Her green eyes kept darting to the empty chairs where El, Feather, and Clover usually sat after their adventures.

The war in the distant lands had lasted three weeks. El, the harvest goddess with her distinctive wolf ears, had promised to send word the moment they started their journey home. Feather, with her magnificent golden-brown wings, always kept her promises about staying in touch. Even little Clover, who looked no older than eight despite being a nature goddess, had sworn to text updates.

But her phone remained silent.

Mariza's hands grew warm. Blue sparks flickered between her fingers before she quickly clenched her fists, forcing them to disappear.

The Messenger's Urgent Call

Mariza's phone buzzed. Her heart jumped as she grabbed it, but the message wasn't from her friends. It was from the Shadow Realm Communication Center.

"War prisoners held. Goddesses El, Feather, and Clover captured during retreat. No rescue attempts permitted. Shadow Council."

The phone slipped from her hands and clattered on the wooden floor. Blue flames erupted around her fingers, dancing higher than before.

"No, no, no," she whispered, pressing her palms against her temples. "Stay calm, Mariza. Stay you."

But the blue fire spread up her arms. The temperature in the temple rose quickly. The goddess symbols on the doorframe began to glow in response to her power.

A small sparrow landed on the windowsill, chirping frantically. It hopped closer to the glass, tilting its head at her. Something about its urgent movements caught her attention.

"What is it?" she asked the bird, standing up slowly.

The sparrow tapped the window three times with its beak, then flew toward the forest. It returned immediately, repeating the same pattern.

The blue flames flickered and dimmed slightly. "You want me to follow you?"