For hours on end, they trudged through the claustrophobic tunnel, delving deeper into the heart of the mountain. The monotonous journey was disrupted only by a subtle depression in the ground, which gradually intensified, adding an element of danger to each step they took.
At one point, they halted abruptly when Qalo began frantically patting himself, as if desperately searching for something. Talax and Franny exchanged alarmed glances, scanning their surroundings for any hidden threats. It was then that the orc let out a mournful cry. "My chickens!"
The humans exchanged glances, their eyes widened in surprise, and the tension that had gripped them was momentarily shattered as Talax erupted into laughter. His amusement filled the air, diffusing the heavy atmosphere that had weighed them down. Through laughter, he reassured Qalo, "Don't worry. I'm sure there are plenty of rats or moles in this place for you to make a new scarf."
Qalo's gaze met Talax's for a brief moment, and a hint of consolation flickered across the orc's formidable, tusked face. "I suppose you're right," he mumbled, his demeanor now tinged with a touch of resignation. Franny, although clearly disgusted by the idea, refrained from commenting on Qalo's unfortunate loss for once.
From that point on, Qalo's voice became a constant stream of mumbles and groans, incessantly moaning over the loss of his cherished food. The combination of the monotonous trek and the orc's nonstop grumbling made Talax testy, making him restless. In an attempt to combat his growing boredom, he began bombarding Franny with a barrage of questions. The noble, ever eager to flaunt his vast knowledge, responded to each question with an air of pompous enthusiasm.
"You know, I had higher expectations for an ancient temple dedicated to a once-mighty god," Talax grumbled, his eyes scrutinizing the barren tunnel walls for what felt like the hundredth time. Shadows danced playfully on the walls from Franny conjured light, but apart from that, there was nothing to capture his attention, no withered moss or even a mere trickle of water.
"I've told you before, Talax, we haven't entered the dungeon yet," Franny responded, his voice tinged with a hint of exasperation. His words trailed off, and Talax turned his attention back to his companion, noticing the intense, focused look on Franny's face.
Following Franny's gaze, Talax's eyes widened in surprise. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, something had changed. Several dozen meters ahead, the seemingly endless tunnel came to an abrupt halt. Nestled firmly within the compacted earth that lined the passage was a wooden door, adorned with metal bands. Slightly ajar, it invited a slender shaft of light to spill into the dim corridor, casting a gentle glow that illuminated their path.
Having caught sight of the open door, Qalo turned back to the two humans, his curiosity evident. "Why is it open?" he inquired. Franny's mouth opened and closed several times before he finally responded.
"I suppose whoever passed through last left it open. It could have been my uncle and his company, or perhaps the gnolls..." Franny's voice trailed off, and Talax nodded in understanding. After a brief moment of hesitation, the three companions commenced their approach toward the door.
As they drew nearer, Talax strained his ears, hoping to catch any indication of life beyond the door, whether it be friend or foe. Yet, when he shook his head in disappointment, Qalo took the initiative and pushed the door. To their surprise, it glided open with remarkable ease.
The first thing that assailed Talax's senses was the smell, an abhorrent stench that pervaded the chamber. The air was stale, as if trapped for centuries or even millennia, suffocating them like a heavy blanket. However, what caused Talax to gag was not just the stagnant air; it was the unmistakable scent of death that permeated the space.
The colossal chamber stretched out before them, its grandeur tainted by the macabre scene that unfolded within. The sickening odor of decay hung heavily in the air, as they were confronted by a grim tableau of death. A dozen lifeless bodies lay strewn across the chamber, their decaying flesh twisted into grotesque contortions. Shades of purplish-black marred their putrefied skin, and shattered bones protruded from mangled limbs.
At first glance, it was evident that these individuals had long since departed from the realm of the living. However, upon closer inspection, fresh stab wounds adorned their bodies, accompanied by splatters of viscous black ichor that marred the pristine marble floor, a sign that whatever had happened was recent.
“Are those...” Talax's voice trailed off as he began to voice his question, but Franny was already sprinting towards a particular corpse that stood apart from the others. It appeared remarkably fresh, the man lying in a pool of crimson blood seemingly having met his death no more than a few hours ago.
Franny crouched down beside the lifeless body, his voice barely a whisper. "Oh no..." He glanced back at Talax and Qalo, his expression etched with sorrow. "This is Sir Givelan, the healer of my uncle's team." Talax approached the deceased man and carefully examined the ravaged remains. Multiple stab wounds marred the body, but what chilled him to the bone was the grotesque chunks of flesh missing, as if the poor soul had been mercilessly devoured alive. In places, the ribcage peeked through where whole pieces of flesh had been torn away.
Talax averted his gaze from the lifeless body, unable to look at the mangled body. In contrast, Franny continued to gaze upon the fallen man, as if his intense desire could somehow will him back to life. Seeking respite from the morbid scene, Talax shifted his focus towards the expanse of the chamber, searching for something else to occupy his thoughts.
The chamber was a grand rectangular space adorned with stately columns that lined the walls. Its vastness could have accommodated hundreds of people, their presence resonating in the air like a distant echo of forgotten worship. Marbled pews, worn and chipped with the passage of time, were strategically arranged in a cross formation, all oriented towards the center of the room where remnants of a shattered statue remained. Only the legs of the statue stood intact, while the rest lay scattered in fragments of small, white rocks, no larger than Talax's pinky. It seemed as though someone had been gone through great lengths to erase any trace that might reveal the true visage of the God.
Curiosity beckoned Talax towards one of the columns that graced the chamber's walls. Intricately adorned, it depicted a series of scenes that spiraled upward like a coiling snake. The carved figures portrayed men and women in a state of supplication, their postures reflecting devotion and reverence. As his eyes ascended along the column, he noticed a distinct shift. The lower half showcased worshippers in the prime of their youth, babies, children, and individuals barely in their teenage years. However, as the scenes progressed higher, the figures became increasingly aged and weathered, their weary forms clinging to the last vestiges of life.
Talax furrowed his brow and made his way to another column, his curiosity driving him to seek further insights. Once again, the intricate scenes unfolded, each bearing similarities yet with subtle variations. It became apparent that age played a significant role in each depiction, an underlying theme that wove its way through the carvings. As Talax's gaze rose, he observed that the columns extended upward for dozens of meters, supporting a marbled ceiling that created the illusion of being inside a grand structure rather than deep underground, where tons of earth lay overhead.
Meanwhile, Qalo diligently surveyed the chamber, his focus fixed on detecting potential dangers lurking within the shadows. The flickering light emanating from the braziers positioned among the columns helped his task, illuminating the darkness and revealing any hidden threats. After a brief exploration, Qalo returned to the group and relayed his findings.
"I found two doors," Qalo reported, his voice tinged with caution. "One is locked, and the other is already open, just like the entrance." Talax nodded, his attention still somewhat divided between the enigmatic columns and their surroundings. Yet, he decided it was pointless to dwell on the columns any longer. As he turned to leave, his gaze inadvertently fell upon the shattered remnants of the statue. An inexplicable force drew him towards it, compelling him to take hurried steps towards the ruins.
Qalo's voice interrupted Talax's trance-like state. "Where are you going?" he demanded, his concern evident. Talax, his eyes fixated on the ruins, responded absentmindedly, "I'm coming, just a second." He registered a groan of impatience from Qalo, but it barely registered in his consciousness.
All thoughts of his companions faded into insignificance as Talax approached the fragmented remains of the statue. Only two sandaled feet, severed cleanly at the ankles, remained perched upon the grand pedestal. The scale of the sculpture hinted at the depiction of a colossal figure that once stood atop it, exuding an aura of imposing grandeur. Standing before the gleaming marble, an irresistible urge to touch the ruined edifice welled up within Talax. With a mischievous glimmer in his eyes like a little kid, he slowly raised his hand, drawing closer to the statue's giant toe.
At that moment, two extraordinary events unfolded in perfect synchrony. An overwhelming aura descended upon Talax, a force so immense that it dwarfed his own power by countless magnitudes. It was as if he were a mere blade of grass buffeted by a hurricane, inconsequential and unaware to the might of the tempest. Struggling to weather the onslaught of this ancient power, Talax found himself at the mercy of forces beyond his comprehension.
Simultaneously, his void magic stirred within him, awakened from a deep slumber. It resonated with a hollow beat, announcing its presence and readiness. A second beat followed, stronger than the first, emanating from the depths of his core. The familiar sensations of hunger and nothingness surged to the surface, challenging the enigmatic power that encircled him. Caught between two opposing forces, his body teetered on the precipice of existence, hanging by a fragile thread, ready to tip in favor of one or the other.
Unable to move and locked in a clash of energies, Talax witnessed his void magic grow ravenous upon tasting the foreign power, but unable to do much more than clash against it. His senses had grown sharper and somehow, he was able to discern that the power emanated from the shattered remnants of the statue, was a mere echo of its former might. It felt hollow, devoid of purpose, a forgotten vestige of the past left untamed.
Oddly, he felt protected and safe, like the power couldn’t touch him. Despite the tremendous pressure exerted by the overwhelming force, he remained unharmed. The strain of the power struggle weighed upon his body, yet his void magic acted as a defensive barrier, deftly neutralizing any stray surges that threatened to harm him.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Time seemed to stretch into an eternity as he stood there, hand suspended centimeters from the statue's surface, caught in a whirlwind of powers battling for supremacy. And then, in an instant, silence descended. The once-potent power of the long-forgotten deity dissipated into the ether, leaving no trace of its previous intensity. His void magic pulsed twice more, resonating like a drum within his core, before subsiding too. Once again, it receded into a dormant state, a benign orb emitting a gentle hue of purple.
After a momentary freeze, Talax's body gave way, collapsing to the ground. He let out a weary groan, his strength drained. Muscles once taut now felt like liquid, while the pathways that usually pulsed with the vibrant blue glow of mana appeared shriveled and diminished, leaving him dizzy and unable to focus.
Time seemed to blur as he lay amidst the scattered fragments of marble, his mind shrouded in haze. Slowly, however, clarity began to return, accompanied by an agonizing effort to rise to his feet.
A sudden jolt of alarm shot through him as he remembered his companions. Casting his gaze around, he discovered both Franny and Qalo unconscious on the floor. With urgency, he hurried over, shaking them until they stirred, their eyes blinking with confusion.
“Ugh... Did I drink Perisian mead? I told you I can’t hold it.” groaned Qalo as he struggled to stand.
Franny, though still somewhat groggy, appeared more coherent. Talax offered a helping hand, groaning in his own weariness, as the noble seemed too weak to rise unaided, burdened by his heavy armor.
Both companions appeared disoriented, their movements unsteady as they struggled to regain their balance. As Franny gradually regained his composure, his gaze turned accusatory, burning with anger. Talax, taken aback, felt a pang of guilt churning within him.
"What in the name of Avass was that?!" Franny demanded, his eyes ablaze with fury. Talax looked at him, surprised and unsure how to respond.
"Um... I don't know?" His answer only seemed to further enrage the noble. "Are you out of your mind? What possessed you to tamper with a God's statue? Even a long-dead one! We're fortunate there wasn't a hex or curse inscribed upon it!" Franny's anger flared, fueled by Talax's impulsive actions.
“Cut him some slack. He doesn’t understand the rules about the Gods. He has no memories.” Qalo interjected, attempting to diffuse the tension. Franny swiftly turned, fixing the orc with a seething glare.
"Common sense should prevail! You don't go around toying with the powers of the Gods! A modicum of intelligence should make that clear!" Franny accused, his frustration evident. Talax averted his gaze, feeling somewhat chastened. He couldn't quite comprehend why everyone was making such a fuss. After all, no one had been harmed.
“Sorry. Anyway, we better get going before another God chooses to grace us with his presence.” Talax remarked.
Qalo shuddered at the thought and vigorously nodded in agreement.
"Don't speak such things aloud!" Franny exclaimed, exasperated. "Do you have no regard for self-preservation?" he demanded. Talax shrugged nonchalantly and motioned for Qalo to lead the way.
As they walked Franny kept berating him about his ignorance concerning the Gods and how his actions will eventually kill them all. Talax rolled his eyes and followed Qalo to the side of the chamber where another set of double doors, identical to the first, stood open.
Stepping through, they entered a long hallway constructed from the same pristine white marble as the central chamber. Braziers, evenly spaced along the passage, provided ample illumination for their journey.
After a few minutes the long hallway ended in an arched entryway that revealed an octagonal room. They stepped into the new chamber with caution, scanning their surroundings. No enemies jumped in their entrance.
The smaller chamber was dominated by a complex fountain, divided into four sections by intricate trimmings. However, instead of water, the fountain was filled with a strange, sludgy substance. It had a slimy consistency and a translucent appearance, but upon closer inspection, Talax noticed small imperfections within the murky liquid that made him reluctant to approach it.
Thankfully, their path didn't require them to get too close to the unsettling fountain. Qalo pointed towards one of the four doors positioned at the corners of the room. It stood ajar, just like the previous ones they had encountered.
“Let’s leave this room, this fountain makes me uneasy.” Franny said as he began to walk towards the opened door. Unable to resist his curiosity, Talax veered towards the door closest to him, leaving his companions momentarily behind.
The door exuded an air of luxury, crafted from a polished wood that emitted a gentle sheen. At its center, an intricate carving adorned the surface, depicting a symbol composed of elegant, flowing lines. Talax found himself captivated by the symbol, studying it intently, and with a start he realized that it emanated a subtle, imperceptible amount of mana.
As he searched the room, hoping to find a similar symbol that could provide some context, he was interrupted by a groan. "Not again!" Qalo exclaimed, his eyes filled with disbelief. "Could you please refrain from seeking trouble?" Franny stood with his arms crossed, tapping his foot impatiently, his accusing gaze fixed upon Talax. "Tell me, Talax, do you have a death wish? Because if you continue like this, you'll be dead before we even reach my uncle."
Talax felt his anger rising. Their attitude may be cautious and prudent, but Talax was sure that knowing as much as they could about this place could end up helping them or even saving their life in a moment of danger. Besides he couldn’t help himself, he felt an insatiable need to know as much as he could, he was fascinated by the intricate symbols and wanted to figure out what they meant. They were inside a temple of a long dead God; how don’t they feel the need to find out what had happened to this place was beyond him! It was fascinating!
"Instead of venturing blindly, wouldn't it be wiser to learn more about this place? We could potentially find answers that will help us on our journey," he insisted, his voice tinged with determination. Franny met his gaze with an unwavering stare, his resolve unyielding.
"Our priority is to find my uncle and seek the wisdom of his companions. They will possess the answers we seek," Franny responded firmly.
Talax took a deep breath, attempting to temper his irritation. He mustered a calm tone, masking the frustration that simmered beneath the surface. "Please, just indulge me. Let's explore the chamber a bit more. There might be something crucial we're missing."
Franny's frustration mounted, causing him to wave his hands in the air in a fit of exasperation, his face contorted with annoyance. "Fine!" he spat out, his voice edged with irritation. "But don't you dare lay a finger on anything!" he admonished, pointing an accusatory finger in Talax's direction. Though Talax tried to conceal his small, triumphant smile, Franny's keen perception saw right through him, transforming his expression into a threatening glare.
Approaching the door, Franny fell into a heavy silence, his footsteps almost imperceptible as he studied the mesmerizing carvings. The intricacies of the design captivated him, compelling him to cautiously trace the graceful lines with his finger. He exhibited an exquisite delicacy, ensuring that his touch never made contact with the door's surface. All the while, a soft murmur escaped his lips, as if engaged in an intimate conversation with the enigmatic carvings. The intensity of his academic curiosity was evident, as he became fully engrossed in his scholarly examination.
Talax left Franny immersed in introspection and proceeded to explore the next door. As he approached, his gaze fixated on the churning substance of the nearby fountain. However, he instinctively maintained a considerable distance, even with his curiosity tugging at him. There were limits to his inquisitiveness.
Nonetheless, his sharp eyes discerned a peculiar phenomenon within each fountain, a feeble stream of water sputtered forth from the very center, as if propelled by an unseen force. Briefly, he thought he caught a glimpse of a hazy image lurking at the bottom of one of the fountains. Yet, as he focused his attention, all that met his gaze was the obscured view through the murky water.
Moving on to the next door, Talax discovered a strikingly similar symbol, adorned with the same graceful lines, albeit arranged in a different configuration. The presence of mana exuded from the carving, intensifying his intrigue. Taking a moment to ensure that Franny remained engrossed in his study, Talax made the daring decision to reach out and touch the door.
With a mischievous smile playing on his lips, Talax couldn't resist the temptation to trace the intricate symbol on the door's surface. However, despite his playful curiosity, he found himself unable to decipher its purpose. Then, as his finger grazed a particular line near the center of the carving, a faint clicking sound reached his ears.
Startled, he instinctively recoiled and glanced guiltily in Franny's direction. He was relieved to see that his companion appeared oblivious to his actions. On the other hand, Qalo let out a groan and fixed Talax with wide, incredulous eyes. Talax couldn’t help but offer him a sheepish smile. He shrugged, silently conveying that he just couldn’t resist.
Returning his focus to the door, Talax's gaze settled on the transformed center of the symbol. The previously fluid lines now converged to form a small vortex, encircling a minuscule indentation. A thought occurred to him, could it be a keyhole? However, before he could delve further into this revelation, Franny's call interrupted his train of thought.
Making his way towards Franny, Talax observed his companion lost in deep contemplation. Clearing his throat, Talax caused Franny to startle, casting an accusatory gaze in his direction, as if Talax were to blame for Franny's inattentiveness.
Franny let out a frustrated huff, his brows furrowing in deep concentration. "Initially, I thought it might be a rune imbued with protective or offensive enchantments, guarding the room against intruders. However, the mana concentration is completely off. Typically, each rune emits a distinct resonance, indicating its connection to a specific branch of magic. But this particular symbol, apart from its faint mana presence, bears no trace of any magic I am familiar with." He sighed, his frustration evident. "My second hypothesis is that these symbols belong to an ancient language, possibly Deep Sylvan," he speculated, tilting his head to the side in uncertainty. "Or perhaps High Elvish. I'm sorry, but I can't decipher its meaning," he admitted with a tinge of disappointment. Talax nodded, not expecting an immediate breakthrough.
"Well, I believe that these symbols represent something significant, although I can't quite figure out what it is yet. My best guess is that each door corresponds to one of the pools, and each fountain holds the key to unlocking the doors," Talax offered, his voice brimming with a sense of possibility. Franny regarded him skeptically, ready to dismiss the idea. But before the noble could voice his skepticism, Talax took action. His hand moved swiftly, coming to rest at the center of the symbol. The abruptness of his gesture caused Franny to curse and hastily retreat, witnessing the lines of the symbol spring to life, revealing another small aperture at its core.
“The key is most certainly on the bottom of the fountain.” Talax proclaimed, pointing out the newly revealed indentation to Franny. The noble's brows furrowed as he observed the change in the door, his expression reflecting a mixture of curiosity and contemplation.
“Thankfully we don’t have to jump into the filthy water, as I am sure it wouldn’t be very pleasing. I am certain there’s more we don’t know about.” Talax added, feeling excitement over the prospect of unveiling deep, hidden secrets. Franny regarded him with questioning eyes, clearly intrigued by Talax's revelation.
"How did you come to this conclusion?" Franny inquired, still harboring a trace of doubt in his gaze.
"Well, dungeons are famous for their puzzles, aren't they?" Talax responded, shrugging casually. "When you stumble upon a peculiar symbol in an empty room, it usually means the presence of a puzzle waiting to be solved."
Franny's expression changed as he absorbed Talax's explanation. "I didn't realize you had previous experience with dungeons," he remarked, his curiosity piqued.
"I... I haven't," Talax responded, his uncertain voice making his answer sound like a question. He couldn't recall any past encounters with dungeons, yet he felt an unshakable conviction that his conclusion was accurate. It was as if he possessed an innate familiarity with the intricacies of dungeon puzzles, despite lacking tangible memories of such experiences.
"In any case," he continued, shaking his head to clear his confusion, "we better get going." Franny gazed at him for a prolonged moment, seemingly pondering Talax's peculiar response. Eventually, he nodded in agreement and went to join Qalo. As they passed by the fountains, Franny’s conjured light illuminated the nearest water source. In its glow, Talax spotted a radiant symbol at the fountain's bottom, an emblem that perfectly matched one of the doors. His steps faltered briefly, but the jumbled thoughts that had plagued his mind had dampened his sense of adventure, prompting him to remain silent.
With a subdued mood, Talax followed his companions through the opened door, his mind filled with unanswered questions and a gnawing sense of unease.