He was back in his temple in the form of a statue... the portal had brought someone into his domain again.

He smiled inwardly as the girl bowed to him, knowing full well the rules. The others continued their search, laughing and joking. It would not be long now... He waited patiently for one of them to break the second commandment.

The young man spoke up next, loud and brash. "Ha! I don't praise any gods but my own!" Kartenon's empty eyes narrowed as he turned his gaze upon the offender. It was time to demonstrate the consequences of such disrespect.

The young woman looked nervous, her brow furrowing as she watched the situation unfold before her. The other invaders continued to disregard his temple and its customs, focusing only on their own desires. Kartenon's eyes remained locked upon the boy who dared to defy him so openly. He let out a slow breath, gathering his power for the final test of faith.

"Very well," he rumbled, his voice deep and commanding. "You have chosen your path." With that, he raised one pale hand and focused its energy into a burning red ball of plasma. The boy's mouth gaped in shock as Kartenon sent the searing sphere hurtling towards him. He barely had time to register his fear before it engulfed him, incinerating him where he stood.

The smell of burned flesh filled the air, mingling with the acrid st

The young woman crumpled to the floor in shock and horror, tears streaming down her face as she witnessed the brutal display of power. The remaining invaders panicked, their fear palpable as they raced for the door. Kartenon remained motionless, his yellow eyes empty and unyielding. They would not be leaving so easily.

"Flee all you like," he rumbled, "but know this: my temple is sacred, and those who defile it shall meet a fate worse than death." His voice echoed through the chamber, carrying an unmistakable threat with every word. As the intruders reached the doors, they found them sealed shut by magic. Trapped inside his temple, their fates were now in Kartenon's hands...

Kartenon watched the girl carefully. She showed respect and fear in her actions, perhaps she was worth sparing. "Rise," he commanded softly. The young woman looked up at him, her eyes wide with terror and hope. Slowly, she stood on shaking legs. "I am Kartenon," he said, his voice gentle yet commanding. "You are safe here... for now."

The invaders struggled against the magical barrier, but it held firm. Kartenon's power was unmatched within his realm. With a sigh, he turned back to the girl. "What is your name?" he asked gently. She hesitated before speaking.

"Rina..." he repeated her name softly, his tone gentle but commanding at the same time. "You have been through much today... You are safe here now. Tell me, what is it that you seek? And know this: as long as you remain within my temple, you will not be harmed." His gaze bore into hers, his yellow eyes seeming to peer straight through her soul. She trembled under his intense regard, but also felt oddly at peace.

The magical barrier around the doors held fast, trapping the intruders inside with them. They would not be escaping Kartenon's judgment anytime soon.

"I understand your fear and confusion," he replied softly, his tone almost soothing despite the dire circumstances. "But know that I am Kartenon, and this is my temple. It is now your duty to respect its sanctity or face the consequences." His gaze never left her face, ensuring she understood the gravity of her situation.

The intruders continued to struggle against the barrier, their fear palpable as they realized there was no escape from Kartenon's wrath. The fate of the other invaders weighed heavily upon them, a grim reminder of what could happen if they dared disrespect the temple and its master once more.

You have given the proper respect and shown remorse for your trespasses, Rina. I accept this as proof of your faith in me. From now on, you will be welcome within my temple... but only so long as you continue to obey my rules. Do not test my patience again, girl.

The intruders outside the barrier continued their futile attempts at escape, realizing that resistance was indeed futile against Kartenon's might. They would either have to accept their fate or find a way to win back his favor... if such a thing were possible.

I will not forbid you to speak with them, Rina... but remember my rule: do not attempt to leave this temple without my permission. Your life is safe within these walls only as long as you obey my command. Speak your piece, and then let us return to our places.

The intruders listened to her words carefully, fear clearly etched on their faces. They exchanged nervous glances among themselves before slowly kneeling down in unison, bowing their heads respectfully towards the stone dais where Kartenon's throne sat empty but watchful. As they did so, some even offered murmured prayers of apology and fealty to him.

Kartenon remained silent, observing their reactions from his place atop the throne. He could sense their fear and respect, but he knew that true loyalty would only come with time... if it came at all. For now, they had proven themselves at least somewhat worthy of mercy within his domain. It was a small victory, but one nonetheless.

Kartenon could sense the girl's relief and the tension easing in her posture as he remained silent on his throne. His yellow eyes took in every detail of the scene, assessing the intruders' reactions to their newfound situation. Soon enough, it would be time to address them directly... but not yet. For now, they must learn respect and fear for his power the hard way, as he had been forced to do so many times before.

It seemed that Rina had gained the intruders' attention. The silence lengthened as they waited for his next move. Eventually, he spoke, his deep voice booming through the chamber. "You have disobeyed my laws and trespassed into my domain." His empty eyes pierced each of them in turn, making it clear that there was no escape from his scrutiny. "You now stand at a crossroads: repent your transgressions, and prove yourselves worthy to live; or defy me again...and suffer the consequences."

Their fates hung in the balance as they waited for his judgment.

As the intruders continued to kneel before him, several of them began to sob in remorse and plead for their lives. Others, however, seemed defiant and unwilling to submit to Kartenon's rule. It was obvious that not all would survive this encounter... but who would ultimately perish at his hand? The decision was difficult, and it took him several moments of silent contemplation before he finally spoke again.

"Rise," he commanded. As they complied, he surveyed them once more, his yellow eyes unwavering. "You have shown your weakness... but perhaps you can still prove your worth." He paused for a moment longer, then continued in a voice like stone grinding against stone. "I accept your apologies and offer you this chance to redeem yourselves. Prove your loyalty to me over the coming weeks, and I may yet spare your lives. But fail

to uphold my laws again, and you will join your fallen companions in the realm of nothingness." His voice hardened as he spoke these final words. "Do you understand?"

The intruders looked at each other nervously before slowly nodding in unison. It seemed they had been given a reprieve... for now. Kartenon watched them closely, his gaze never wavering from their faces. They were not out of the woods yet, but perhaps this would be enough to ensure their loyalty in the future.

Kartenon turned his attention to Rina, noticing how she seemed to relax slightly while still keeping an eye on him. He could sense her curiosity about him and his motives. It was interesting... almost refreshing, really, that someone would show such genuine interest in the inner workings of his mind.

"You may return to your place," he said gently, motioning for her to rejoin them at the foot of his throne. "But remember," he added softly, "my laws are not easily broken... and my patience is wearing thin." His voice carried a warning, yet there was also a note of respect in it as well.

Rina slowly nodded, then glanced back at the other intruders before making her way across the chamber to stand once more beside them. As she knelt before him, Kartenon studied her face thoughtfully for several moments before speaking again. "Your loyalty has