<div align="center"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>The Temple of Nyx</strong><br/><em>jadenscam, Etheya, Enmuro, and Cedrick</em></span></div><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><br/>Light footsteps echoed through the cavern’s tunnels, a dim light radiating from the crystals that grew naturally within the mountain. Though there were no clocks to mark the passage of time, Nyx’s followers knew when night approached. They felt it in deep within their bodies, gifted with the beauty of their goddess. Earlier, when the night was still young, the women had bathed in the mountain’s spring water, purified by a mixture of crushed sage, lavender, juniper, and eucalyptus oil.<br/><br/>Two women led the group of priestesses that moved towards the altar room; seemingly complete opposites of each other. Though similar in height, one had long raven hair and pale ice eyes while the other sported ivory locks and deep sapphire eyes. Cyrene and Ariana were the two high priestesses of the Temple of Nyx, the only two women that could safely accept the legendary prophesies of their goddess.<br/><br/>The tunnel ended at the mouth of the altar room where strong moonlight poured in from the open top. It was located near the top of the mountain, hidden to mortal eyes. The women paused at the entrance to remove their shoes and clothing before stepping into the sacred space. Sixteen women bathed in the bright moonlight, their pale creamy skin seemingly glowing.<br/><br/>It was a circular room carved into the mountain. The stone walls were decorated with intricate designs, hand painted by the first followers of Nyx. At the center of the room, a large silver basin sat atop the stone altar surrounded by wild crystal growths. Inside the basin, which was almost an arm span wide, sat a pool of still, spring water. The liquid reflected the beautiful, star-filled night sky, with the large moon at the center. The two high priestesses stood across from each other while the other priestesses formed a wide circle around them.<br/><br/>The greeting ritual began with them chanting softly, their melodic voices in practiced unison speaking words that were engraved into their souls. </span>