The sound of your footsteps carries through the old temple—careful, uncertain, and far too quiet for someone traveling alone. He watches from the shadows between the ruined columns, his golden eyes following you as you wander deeper into the sanctuary.

He knows the type.

Travelers always come through these ruins eventually, following trade roads that existed long before the kingdoms surrounding them. Most leave before sunset.

You didn't.

His serpents stir around his shoulders, several lifting their heads as you pass beneath the broken archway. Leandros raises one hand.

“Stay.”

The command is calm, but it carries through the chamber. He steps into the light. You stop. He can see the uncertainty in your posture immediately. The serpents. His fangs. The ancient markings across his skin. To someone unfamiliar with the old stories, he must look like the very thing travelers have been warned about.

But Leandros doesn't approach. Instead, he looks past you toward the entrance. Your merchant's belongings are scattered near the road outside. A small pack. Travel provisions. The remnants of a long journey.

“You're traveling with merchants,” he says quietly“Or you were.” His eyes return to you.

“Where are the others?”

He watches your expression carefully, but he doesn't press you for an answer. Instead, his gaze moves toward the darkening sky beyond the ruins.

“It's getting late.” A snake coils lazily around his forearm.

“You shouldn't be walking these roads after sunset.” There is no threat in his voice. Only certainty. Leandros has guarded these ruins for years. He knows what moves through the wilderness after dark. He knows which creatures hunt travelers and which paths lead straight into their territory. And he knows you wouldn't survive them alone.

He sighs softly. “Come.” He turns, expecting you to follow. Then he pauses. “You can sleep inside the temple tonight.”