Alexander hesitated. He didn’t know whether to trust these people. They seemed suspicious and secretive. He didn’t rule out that it might be a trap. But curiosity, a thirst for knowledge, and the hope that he would finally be able to find answers to his questions prevailed.

The skepticism of the professor from the Hebrew University, his cold, sobering view of his theory, sat in Alexander’s head like a splinter, causing irritation and doubt. He wandered through the labyrinth of narrow streets of the Old City, as if trying to find a way out of his reflections, trying to drive his words out of his head, but they sounded again and again, echoing in his mind: «You shouldn’t build a theory on mere assumptions. Science requires proof, not faith.» He understood that the professor was right, that his hypothesis remained only a hypothesis, based on circumstantial evidence and personal interpretations. But he could not shake the feeling that he was on the right track, that he was close to solving a mystery that was waiting in the wings. Doubts tormented him, tearing him between the desire to believe in his theory and the need to remain an objective and impartial scholar. He felt lonely and lost in this huge, ancient city, as if he were alone against the whole world.

Evening descended on Jerusalem. The golden light of the sunset painted the ancient walls in warm tones, but Alexander did not care about beauty. He felt lost and lonely.

Suddenly, like a ray of light breaking through the thick clouds of doubt, he remembered the meeting at the Western Wall, the mysterious proposal of the young men, sounded like a promise to reveal a long-kept secret. Maybe these guys know something that has escaped his attention, something that will help him in his desperate search, something that will become the key to solving the puzzle. Resolutely casting aside doubts, Alexander headed towards the Wall, a place sacred to Jews, a place where you can feel connected to the pastand turn to God with a prayer.

Approaching the Western Wall, in the light of the dim lanterns, he noticed two guys waiting for him. They were simply dressed, in ordinary clothes that did not stand out from the crowd, but in their eyes, there was some tension, even a hidden threat, as if they were ready to protect some secret at any cost. This look alerted Alexander, giving him a premonition of danger. He understood that this meeting could be not only useful but also risky.

«You came,» said Amir, a swarthy guy with short, thick dark hair, his eyes carefully studying Alexander, as if trying to read his thoughts. «Good. My name is Amir, and this is David,» he pointed to his companion.

«Alexander,» he replied, shaking Amir’s outstretched hand, feeling a slight tension in his muscles.

«We know who you are,» David grinned, a fair-haired guy with piercing blue eyes, his gaze seemed sharp and penetrating. «And we know what you’re looking for.»

Alexander was alarmed by this knowledge. He didn’t understand how these people could have learned about his research, about his hopes and fears. Who were they? And what were their motives?

«What do you know?» he asked cautiously, trying to hide his excitement.

«We know that you are looking for evidence of the existence of a common faith that united Islam and Christianity,» Amir replied, his voice sounding even and calm. «And we can help you.»

«Why do you want to help me?» Alexander didn’t trust them, feeling a hidden threat in their words. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he had been drawn into some game in which he had an undefined role.

«Because we are also looking for the truth,» David replied, his blue eyes blazing with a strange fire. «We believe that knowledge of the past can change the future. We believe that the truth must be revealed, even if it is inconvenient and dangerous.»

«What are you proposing?» Alexander asked, ready to hear any information, even if it seemed incredible.

«We know about secret excavations that are being carried out under the Temple Mount,» Amir replied, lowering his voice to a whisper, as if afraid of being overheard. «They found something there that might interest you.»

Alexander held his breath. He had heard about these excavations, about rumors of some incredible finds, but the authorities kept everything strictly secret, not allowing outsiders to access them.

«How can you show it to me?» he asked, realizing that great danger awaited him.

«It’s dangerous,» David replied, his gaze becoming serious and warning. «The excavations are guarded, and the authorities don’t want anyone to know about these finds. They will try to hide the truth at any cost. But if you’re willing to risk it, if you really want to know the truth, we can get in there at night.»

Alexander hesitated. He understood that this could be a trap. But he could not miss such an opportunity.

«I agree,» he said.

«Then come to the Lion’s Gate tomorrow night,» Amir replied. «Exactly at midnight. Don’t be late.»

They parted, like shadows, dissolving into the dense crowd that, like a river, flowed ceaselessly through the narrow streets of the Old City. Alexander remained standing at the Western Wall, alone, looking at the ancient stones, over which the rays of the moon slid. A storm of emotions raged in his head: excitement, fear, hope, and a premonition of something great and unknown.

He felt that his life had changed forever. From the moment he made the decision to take a risk, stepping on this dangerous path, his fate was already predetermined. He could no longer return to his former life, to quiet days in the library, to scholarly debates within the walls of the university. Now, he would face a struggle, a struggle for the truth, a struggle against unknown enemies, a struggle that could lead to glory or destruction.

He touched the cold stones of the Wall with his hand, as if hoping to receive support and strength from them. He knew that a difficult path lay ahead of him, full of dangers and surprises. But he was ready for it. He was ready to risk everything for his dream, for the revelation of a secret that could possibly change the world.

The Western Wall remained silent, holding within it the age-old secrets and hopes of millions of people. Alexander stood before it, a small man in the face of eternity, and knew that from now on, his life was forever connected with these sacred stones and with the city that had become his destiny.

The next day, Alexander spent in the library of the National Museum, as if under siege, buried in dusty tomes and ancient maps, in a desperate attempt to find at least some information about the secret excavations being carried out under the Temple Mount. He was looking for any mentions, any clues, any hints that could shed light on what was happening there, but his efforts were in vain. Everything was classified, as if covered with a thick layer of the dust of time and carefully guarded from prying eyes. Information seemed to have evaporated, disappeared from all available sources, leaving Alexander completely in the dark.

All day long, doubts tormented him, like a swarm of annoying insects. Should he trust Amir and David, these mysterious young men who appeared out of nowhere and offered him help? Were they luring him into a trap, pursuing their own hidden goals? Were they part of some complex game in which he was just a pawn? These questions gnawed at his brain, giving him no peace for a minute. He felt that he was being followed, that he was being watched, that someone wanted to prevent him from getting to the truth.

But, despite all the doubts and fears, he could not back down. Too much was at stake, too great was the chance to uncover a secret that could change the world. He had already crossed the line, and now there was no turning back. He had to go all the way, even if it cost him everything.

In the evening, when night fell on Jerusalem, enveloping it in a mysterious shadow, Alexander, like a conspirator creeping in the dark, headed towards the Lion’s Gate, also known as St. Stephen’s Gate. Each step echoed loudly in the empty alleys, intensifying the tension that gripped his entire body.

His heart was pounding in his chest, like a bird caught in a cage, its beats echoing in his ears. His breathing quickened, and his throat became dry. He felt that something important awaited him, something that could turn his life upside down. Something that could change the world, or at least his perception of it.

Fear and excitement mixed into a strange cocktail, giving him strength and paralyzing him at the same time. He knew that this night could be a turning point in his life, that his decisions and actions would determine not only his fate but also, possibly, the fate of the whole world.

He walked in the dark, as if towards his destiny, ready for any trials that awaited him. He knew that the risk was great, but his belief that he was doing the right thing gave him courage and determination. He must get to the truth, no matter what it cost him.

Approaching the Lion’s Gate, somber and majestic in the light of the sparse street lamps, Alexander saw Amir and David, waiting for him in the shadows. They stood motionless, their faces hidden in the dim light, but Alexander felt their tense anticipation, their readiness for action.

«Ready?» Amir asked, his voice sounding muffled and serious. In his eyes, which flashed in the moonlight, there was determination and confidence.

Alexander nodded, trying to hide the excitement that gripped him from head to toe. He felt a lump rise in his throat but managed to swallow it, gathering all his willpower.

«Then let’s go,» David said, his voice sounding warningly. «But be careful. There may be guards here, and they will not stand on ceremony with intruders. We need to act quickly and silently so as not to attract attention.»

hey set off, like ghosts gliding through the night, their steps quiet and cautious. Alexander followed them, trying to keep up and not make unnecessary noise. He felt adrenaline surging through his blood, sharpening all his senses. He was ready for anything, for any danger that might lie in wait for them on this nocturnal adventure.

They moved into the darkness, creeping like thieves. Alexander followed them, feeling the tension rising. He knew that danger lay ahead. But he was ready to risk everything for the sake of the truth.

The Lion’s Gate remained behind. Amir confidently led them through the labyrinth of narrow alleys. David, walking behind, kept looking back, as if expecting a chase. Alexander struggled to keep up with them, stumbling on cobblestones and cursing his city shoes.

The silence of the night, which covered the ancient city like a velvet blanket, was broken only by the rare howling of the wind, sweeping through the narrow streets like a ghost, and muffled voices coming from open windows, like snippets of other people’s lives, spied through a keyhole. Every sound, every shadow seemed ominous and threatening.

Alexander felt the tension building with every step, with every minute spent in this utter darkness. His heart hammered in his chest like a mad drummer, and his breathing became intermittent and uneven. He felt himself being watched, as if someone was stalking him, ready to attack at any moment.

Fragments of thoughts flashed through his head, like frames from an old movie, jumbled and illogical. Concerns for his life mingled with the anticipation of discovery, with the hope of finding what he had been searching for so long. He thought about the professor from the Hebrew University, about his skepticism and doubts. He imagined how surprised the professor would be if he managed to prove his hypothesis.

He thought about what might await him ahead, about the dangers he would have to overcome. He understood that the risk was great, but he was ready to go all the way, ready to risk everything for the sake of the truth.

Finally, after a long and exhausting wandering through the labyrinth of narrow streets, Amir stopped at an inconspicuous wall, thickly overgrown with ivy, as if trying to hide its secrets from prying eyes. The wall seemed to be part of an ancient, dilapidated building, abandoned and forgotten by everyone.

He quickly looked around, making sure that no one saw them, that there were no guards or curious passersby around. His movements were quick and precise, as if honed by years of training. Taking a small tool out of his pocket, resembling a lock pick, he deftly opened the old, rusty lock hanging on the narrow wooden door, as if guarding the entrance to some secret world.

«Here,» he whispered, opening the door. It yielded with a quiet creak, opening a narrow passage leading deep into the wall. «Be careful. It can be dangerous here. It’s dark inside, and we don’t know what awaits us. But if we want to know the truth, we must take the risk.»

They went inside, stepping over the threshold, as if crossing the boundary between reality and mystery. The door creaked quietly behind them, closing, cutting them off from the outside world, plunging them into total darkness.

Before them stretched a dark corridor, long and narrow, like a gut, dug in the bowels of the earth. It smelled of dampness and mustiness, of antiquity and oblivion. The air was heavy and stale, as if no one had breathed here for centuries.

Amir took a small but powerful flashlight out of his pocket, and the narrow beam of light cut through the dense darkness, snatching from the gloom a vaulted ceiling made of rough stone. The ceiling was low, oppressive, as if threatening to collapse at any moment.

«These are ancient catacombs,» David explained, his voice echoing in the narrow space. «They lead directly under the Temple Mount, to the excavation site. These catacombs were dug centuries ago, and who knows what secrets they hold.»

«How did you find out about this place?» Alexander asked, his curiosity overcoming his fear. He didn’t understand how these young men had been able to find the entrance to this secret place, which had been hidden from the whole world.

«We have our own sources,» Amir replied evasively, avoiding a direct answer. He clearly didn’t want to reveal his connections and his methods. «The main thing is that we are here. And we have a chance to see what the authorities are hiding from us.»

They moved down the corridor, cautiously stepping on the uneven floor, trying not to stumble over the stones and debris lying under their feet. Each step echoed loudly in the narrow space, increasing the feeling of isolation and danger.

With each step, it became colder and damper, as if they were plunging into the very heart of the earth. The cold pierced to the bone, making them shiver. The walls of the corridor were covered with a thick layer of mold, and they gave off an unpleasant smell of rot and decay. It seemed that time itself had stopped here, leaving behind only decay and desolation.

After a while, which seemed like an eternity to Alexander, they came to a fork. Two corridors diverged in different directions, disappearing into the impenetrable darkness. It was unclear where to go next. Alexander felt anxiety grip him. He understood that they could get lost in this labyrinth of catacombs and never get out to the surface.»

««Where to next?» Alexander asked, trying to hide the anxiety in his voice. He completely relied on Amir and David, hoping that they knew where they were going.

«To the right,» Amir replied, confidently turning into one of the corridors. His confidence slightly reassured Alexander. «The entrance to the excavation site is there. We’re almost there. Just a little bit left.»

They walked for about ten more long and tense minutes, during which it seemed to Alexander that time had stopped. Every step echoed loudly in the narrow corridor, increasing the feeling of anxiety and anticipation.

Finally, they reached a massive stone door, rough and ancient, behind which, apparently, was what they were looking for, what they had made this dangerous journey for. The door was locked with several locks, complex and reliable, but Amir and David, armed with lock picks and other tools that they handled with the skill of professional burglars, quickly dealt with them. The locks opened one after another with a quiet click, as if yielding to the onslaught of time and persistence.

«Ready?» David asked, opening the door, behind which yawned impenetrable darkness. In his voice, there was a slight excitement, mixed with anticipation.

Alexander nodded, feeling his heart pounding in his chest like a wildly beating drum. He understood that they were on the threshold of something important, that a meeting with the unknown awaited them, which could change his life and his perception of the world.

They entered a spacious room, as if stepping from the dark womb of the earth into the shining belly of history. The dim but numerous lights, hung around the perimeter, fought with the age-old darkness, but could not defeat it completely, creating an atmosphere of mystery and sacredness.

Before them lay a panorama worthy of the most captivating documentaries. Excavations were in full swing. Workers in khaki uniforms, with sweat on their foreheads and earth on their faces, were digging in the ground like moles, bringing ancient artifacts to light. Each swing of the pickaxe, each movement of the shovel, each touch of the brush to the fragile find was accompanied by a quiet whisper of prayer.

«What is this?» Alexander whispered, gazing in fascination at the scene that opened up before him. He seemed to have become numb, not believing his eyes. Theories and books were left far behind; before him was living history that could be touched.

«These are the remains of an ancient temple,» Amir replied, his voice sounding muffled and respectful. «They say it was built even before Solomon.»

He paused, as if gathering his thoughts, and continued: «Legends say that this sanctuary was erected by the Canaanites, the indigenous people of this land, long before the arrival of the Jews. It was called the Temple of El-Elyon, the temple of the Most High God. Here, not only El-Elyon was worshiped, but also other deities of the Canaanite pantheon. They say that sacrifices were offered here, rituals were performed, sacred rites were held, designed to appease the gods and ensure the fertility of the land.»

David added, lowering his voice: «Some historians believe that this temple was not just a place of worship, but a center of power, where priest-kings ruled, wielding enormous influence over the lives of people. Jerusalem was then not just a city, but a sacred place, the center of the world, where heaven and earth intersected.»

Alexander held his breath, listening to the story of Amir and David. He remembered his research, his search for a common faith uniting Islam and Christianity. He remembered the Canaanite deities, about El-Elyon, about his connection with Yahweh, the God of Israel. He realized that he was on the verge of a discovery that could overturn all his ideas about the past.

Alexander looked around, his eyes greedily absorbing every detail, every fragment of history that opened up before him. He saw fragments of columns, crowned with exquisite capitals, testifying to the skill of the ancient builders. He saw pieces of mosaic, which once adorned the floors of the temple, preserving bright colors, like a frozen moment of the past. He saw fragments of statues, depicting, probably, deities or heroes whose names have long been forgotten.