Page 68 of Wild Temple

Satisfied, he signaled them to head back into the jungle and return the way we came.

Fury reddened Caspian’s face. "Where are you going!?”

"The deal was Pura Jiva,” the platoon leader shouted as he walked away.

"I’ll give you double if you get us back safely.”

The platoon leader and the rest of the squad ignored him.They disappeared back into the jungle, slipping away into the fog. Like ghosts, they were gone.

"We’ll just be going with them," I said, turning back down the mountain.

"You're not going anywhere," Caspian said, pointing his rifle at me.

His two thugs quickly surrounded us.

I didn't think my little shenanigan would work, but it was worth a try.

"You should consider yourself lucky,” Caspian said. “I'm going to let you explore the temple first. I knew there was a reason I kept you alive.”

Caspian wasn't urging me to enter the temple first out of the goodness of his heart. Brooke’s grandfather had warned of booby traps and dangers within.

One of his goons shoved me forward.

JD’s concerned eyes found me. “Be careful in there, brother.”

“What are you waiting for?” Caspian barked, urging me on with his gun.

Brooke looked tormented.

“How about releasing these restraints?” I said, holding my bound wrists out.

Caspian didn’t look inclined to do so.

“Where am I going to go?”

He finally relented and nodded to one of his goons. Richard drew a tactical knife from his belt and cut the flex cuffs free.

“I need a flashlight,” I said.

Caspian glared at me.

“How am I supposed to see in there?”

After a momentary hesitation, he dug a flashlight from his backpack while the others kept their weapons aimed at me.

Caspian tossed me the light.

I checked to make sure it worked, then stepped toward the entrance of the temple. My sore feet climbed stone steps that could have been natural formations or carved into the mountain. This place was unlike any other temple. It was like it had emerged from the mountain on its own.

At the entrance to the cave, I shined the light on glyphs carved into the stone walls. Symbols on the stone floor were covered with years of grit and grime.

I looked back at the entourage. They all stared at me with wide eyes—some curious, some concerned.

My flashlight beam slashed the darkness as I stepped inside.

Hewn from a cave in the mountain, the temple had only revealed its secrets to a select few over the eons. It was designed to keep its secrets for centuries more.

This place was old. Really old. Pre-Hindu. Probably built around 1000 BC or earlier. The written language consisted of glyphs reminiscent of ancient Egypt—unlike anything else seen across Southeast Asia. Built by a civilization longsince forgotten. One that had no name in modern history books. One whose legacy was reduced to whispers and rumors.