“Does it impress you, Bob?” Bob clucked on his shoulder as Alden eyed the massive hole in front of him. “Yeah, I think it’s a little over the top myself.” Rolling hills, dotted with trees, and dozens of similar holes dotted the area around him, although none could compare to the one before him. Said hole was easily over 500 meters in diameter, and stretched deeper than his eyes could see. Alde grunted and looked back at Bob. “There’s nothing to it, I guess. You wanna go first?” Bob squawked and flapped his wings. “You wanna fly down? We haven’t really worked on your wings but it’s well within your ability.” Bob answered with a warble and a leap off Alden’s shoulder. Alden just shook his head and leaped down himself, the spellform for levitation springing into his mind. It fit easily within his Mind’s eye, Aether racing through it and enveloping him. He smoothly descended into the hole, Bob gliding below him. Alden’s lips quirked as he saw the bird perform several mid-air acrobatics. “Showoff.”
As the initial thrill faded from his veins, Alden could only stare in awe at the massive bore. The cavernous sides were threaded with dozens of streaks of colors- brief splashes that faded away, but not before enrapturing him. The occasional critter would dart over the smooth surface, escaping into small holes and pockets in the pockmarked rock. Moss grew from the cracks, a green glow that created a mesmerizing aura with the colored ores and metals. By the time his feet gently hit the cavern floor, Alden was still marveling at his surroundings. A cluck from his right brought his attention back to the earth where Bob was flapping his wings impatiently. Alden chuckled and reached out, Bob scaling up onto his shoulder. He settled into his customary position, observing the cavern before then.
Although to call it a cavern failed to encapsulate its glory. It felt as if he had stepped upon a memorial, a monument built to old, ancient peoples. Columns of rock sprouted from around him with carved reliefs of men battling disfigured, demonic monsters all around him. The stone floor had been extensively carved with a thousand intertwined images. Alden’s eyes danced around, seeing a battleground in one scene, then a lone hero ripping open the earth in another. He walked further and further in, more and more statues, paintings, carvings and reliefs adorning every inch of the place around him. He came to halt before two massive gates of burnished bronze, unadorned at first glance. Alden’s eyes narrowed, revealing thousands of tiny lines that scrawled across the structure in intricate braids and patterns. He took a step backwards to get a better view, eyes slowly panning over every inch of it. “HALT!” Alden glanced upwards, towards the top of the massive gates. A silhouette slowly resolved, tiny against the bulk atop which it stood. The figure held what appeared to be a crossbow, pointed at him. Or perhaps it was a staff- he couldn’t really tell.
“Ho the Gates! I come in search of my Line.” The silhouette didn’t move. “And why do you suspect your Line hides here?” Alden cocked his head at, what he suspected at least, was a man. “Because I have a letter.” Reaching down into one of his pockets he brought out a small piece of old papyrus. He held it up in the air. “It was penned by my mother.” The guard lowered the crossbow slightly. “And why would one of the Tunari go into the world?” Alden raised an eyebrow. “She wished to make her own way and life.” A sigh echoed from the guardsman. “Very well. You will still be inspected before you can enter the Refuge.” Alden just shrugged. “I would expect nothing different.” The man lowered his weapon completely and began to turn- before pausing and turning back towards Alden. “What’s up with your chicken?” Alden stroked Bob’s waddle. “He’s my companion.” The guard chuckled at that. “Alright, we’ll have to scan him as well.” When Alden nodded the man turned and gave a nod to someone below him. A cranking sound echoed as a small doorway swung open from the wall. Alden nodded in appreciation at the cleverly hidden doorway. 4 different guardsmen, all in brown leather tabards formed a cube around it.
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Alden walked steadily towards the group, the escort quickly enveloping him. No words were spoken as the men filed into the revealed passageway, Alden following behind. They moved through the straight corridor before taking a right. The tunnel began to slope downwards as they took a left at a T-intersection. Another right, then down a flight of stairs, then a left, down a long hallway. After what seemed to be at least 30 minutes of twists and turns they finally came to a nondescript door, hung in a hallway that looked all but identical to the others. Similar doors dotted the corridor on both sides at regular intervals. One of his guards pushed open the door and stepped through, peeling off to the right. Another stepped off to the left as Alden himself moved into the room.
It was a small room, with dirty walls and a smudged cobble floor. A rickety wooden table with two chairs dominated most of the room. On Alden’s side a small stool was pulled out, one leg dangling precariously from it. Opposite of him a man sat, thick leather armor interlaced with metal plates. Numerous small badges and pins adorned his left side. Alden’s eyes slid off the man towards the area behind him. A woman leaned against the wall, in what looked to be some sort of fur overcoat and dress combo. The man cleared his throat, gesturing at the chair in front of him.
“Take a seat.” Alden smiled and crossed to the chair, flopping down onto it. Bob’s claws tightened slightly at the motion - before relaxing as Alden sunk into the chair. The man’s eyes flared as they scanned Alden- although he did notice a brief twitch at Bob on his shoulder- before the man gestured again. “I believe you had a letter?” Alden nodded and leaned forward, placing the paper on the table. The man leaned forward and scanned it, eyes flickering over the old papyrus. The examination dragged on, Alden leaning back and staring at the roof. He even kicked his feet out under the table, ignoring the glare the man sent his way. After another few minutes the man stopped analyzing it and held it over his shoulder. Without a word the woman took it and scanned it herself. Alden started drumming his fingers on the table. The man just glared at him.
Finally, the woman handed the sheet back to the man, leaning forward to whisper something in his ear. The man- a captain Alden figured, or someone equally important- held the piece of paper for a second before handing it back to Alden. Alden slid the paper back into his pants, looking up as the captain cleared his throat. “The rules of Tunk’lan are simple.” He held up a finger. “As with all other cities no robbery, murder, assault, or any other physical violence will be tolerated.” A second finger. “If we find that you are in any way associated with the Khansulate you will be immediately detained and held for questioning. All your rights will be revoked, and you will serve as our guest for as long as we see fit.” A third finger. “Finally, if you bring any of the False God’s images or altars into this place you will either face immediate expulsion or execution. Are we clear?” Alden nodded.
“Crystal.” The captain flicked his hands, and the guards began to file out. “Follow them out and they will lead you where you need to go. We hope you find your Lineage, wherever they are Lost One.” Alden smiled at the man, bowing slightly with a fist over an open hand, before turning around and following the guards out. Behind him the door slammed shut as that same dull hallway came into view. Alden stroked Bob’s waddles. Things were going to get interesting soon. He could feel it in his gut.