The Gold Paladin

Secrets and Answers

Novae stared at the White Lion in both amazement and confusion. The Lion had just spoken to her, but glancing at Allura and Lotor, it didn't seem like they heard the Lion's voice.

"How is it that you are speaking to me?" Novae thought, having a feeling that the White Lion could hear her thoughts just as the Gold Lion could do the same.

"The answers to which you so desperately seek shall be provided to you quite soon." The White Lion answered. It turned away from the three and walked towards the temple in front of them.

"Let's get going." Novae said as the two behind her nodded in agreement.

As soon as they walked inside the sacred temple, they could instantly see several carvings in the temple walls. All in an ancient language that was hardly readable. 

"Look at these ancient markings. They're beautiful." Allura said admiring the work of past Alteans. But Novae.... she could feel something within these walls. Something that she had never felt before, and yet it felt so nostalgic. Like the gentle embrace of a loved one, paired with a sense of uncertainty that they will be there when you open your eyes next.

"The temple of the Alchemists." Lotor gasped, "The mysteries we seek are hidden somewhere deep inside."

The White Lion gave off a soft growl, catching the attention of the three travelers.

"Estellian Empress. You and your companions may continue forward. Your trials shall begin quite soon." The White Lion said.

"Trials? Why do you speak of trials?" Novae asked.

"Rewards come to those who pass trials. Rewards of the knowledge they so seek, and the answers you crave. Come now. Follow the footsteps of those who came before you, young Starlight Empress."

Novae wanted her answers, so she took a step forward with Allura and Lotor, but as her stretched out foot took a step, everything began to change. The great temple that she was once in had vanished, and she appeared to be in a different place.

The stone walls were replaced with shiny granite that shone in all sorts of colors of a milky way. The stone floors were white marble and there were markings all along the walls written in Estellian tongue, something she hasn't seen in over ten thousand years. 

She marveled at the beauty of this hall, hardly remembering that she wasn't alone.

"Novae?" Allura's voice said, shaking Novae from her thoughts and bringing her back to reality. The once beautiful hall was gone, replaced by the temple they had entered in.

"Are you all right, Novaleyia?" Lotor asked.

Novae stood still for a second, trying to recall what had just happened. She then shook her head and smiled at the two.

"Sorry, I was simply admiring the temple carvings for just a moment longer." Novae said with her lie, "Let's continue forward."

The three walked down the hall as they continued to follow the White Lion. They kept going forward, walking down a large flight of stairs until finally, they reached a large door and several statues lining the walls.

Each statue had Altean marks on their cheeks and held a large staff in their hands, a serious expression on their faces as if they were silently judging those who entered Oriande.

"The Sages of Oriande." Allura said talking off her helmet and admiring the glorious statues before continuing on.

"My father told me tales of their exploits, but I always assumed they were just children's stories."