When Shade saw the light ahead again, he temporarily left the narrow passage filled with silt and entered a broader space within the temple. This had probably once been a library or something similar; rotten wooden shelves lay scattered everywhere in the mud on the floor.
A Fishman High Priest dressed in red ceremonial robes was fighting Vice-Principal Professor Sanchez of Saint Byrens Comprehensive College. Though the Fishman High Priest was only Ninth Ring, its power seemed to have been enhanced within the temple. Even so, Professor Sanchez suppressed it completely. The professor's victory was already assured.
"Who are you?"
Like the Church Ring Arcanist at the temple entrance, Professor Sanchez asked this question as well. But Shade still said nothing and tried to go around them.
Neither the red-robed High Priest nor the professor made any attempt to stop him. The professor even warned him:
"It's more dangerous ahead. The god's power rejects nonbelievers like us. Whatever you intend to do, since you're human, I have to remind you: if it isn't necessary, don't go any farther."
Shade shook his head, circled around the two men, and ran forward with his Fishing Rod raised.
After the tattoo led Shade back into another passage, he could clearly feel the air growing heavier. After only a few more steps, the air became like a swamp, obstructing his advance. Some powerful force radiated outward from ahead. It was a force Shade knew very well.
Though the temple building complex was vast, Shade finally reached its end while running at full speed.
This was the Old Sun Temple in its true sense. As Shade emerged from the passage exit, his gaze crossed the enormous black stone columns supporting the structure, crossed the strange and grotesque Fishman Statues and Mermaid Statues planted all across