Only moments after the key is placed and everyone has gathered, a subtle tremor can be felt as if something far away were shifting. Those present look confused, including Angea who is looking from the lock, to mosaic with a questioning look. Did he know this would happen? her expression seems to say. Mosaic stands as proud and confident as ever, though if one were to look closely, one might notice a slight falter in his grin. Before anyone can voice their concerns though, the water nearby begins to ripple and wave. The gentle rumbling has started to gain in power.

The ocean waters before the crowd are drawn out with the tide, and begin to split apart down the middle towards the outstretched horizon creating a passage forward. Lining the path are two massive walls of water that only get taller and more turbulent the further out it goes, as if the magic phenomena causing this can barely contain the waves. In the distance a pillar of light is cast like a beacon, drawing everyone forward and illuminating the scene in a vibrant blue.

Angea

“Incredible...

I've never seen anything like it before, this is an Astrean gateway!

To think they could imbue something with the ability to pierce the seas like this and it would retain that power for thousands of years.”

Mosaic keeps up his usual smug expression as he speaks, he seems as if he is more impressed with himself rather than the sight before him.

Mosaic

“Don't tell me you actually underestimated the Astreans, dear Angea?

Or perhaps you thought I wouldn't have procured something that would still function?”

Angea

“Ugh, of course not. I'm just impressed, is all! It's not like I've ever actually seen something like this in person. I doubt even you have seen a real gateway.

It's hard not to just... Stare at it. It's really amazing, okay!”

Angea

“I don't want to waste our time standing here either, who knows how long this thing will sustain the pathway. We should get moving!

I want to see what's making that light at the end! Let's get a move on, everyone!”

The path is a slow incline towards the depths of the sea, with sand still wet under the feet of the adventurers, and sea life still going about their day as if nothing had changed. Shadows of great sea beasts and clusters of fish rush by in the towering water walls, occasionally on fish may leap from one side to the other, in a way it's almost reminiscent of an aquarium.

It isn't long before the group passes by the area of Aoess sea that some had explored earlier, but from the "ground", the seabeds stretch far above you. It's almost difficult to recognize when not submerged, like an entirely different world.

As the beacon grows closer with each step, the temperature starts to drop significantly. Those still dressed for a hot beach party will wrap their arms around themselves and some would share their jackets and towels with others to help themselves keep warm.

Angea

“Why do you think the Astreans set up something like to hide away something they made?

I get the teamwork thing, but there has to be more to it right?

But I mean, they hid a lot of stuff, but this is a pretty peculiar activation, don't you think?”

Mosaic

“I think what makes the most sense was that they intended to use this method as a way to deter anyone who might attempt to pillage the place for themselves if they were to discover it.

Think about it, if you were to bring a group as big as we did, it would be impossible for you to keep everything for yourself.”

Mosaic

“I would guess that they have kept something very valuable here, or perhaps it is a place of great importance to those who sealed it away.

However, they did not wish for it to remain hidden forever, which is why a key and lock were left behind. So clearly this place was meant to be discovered eventually.”

Mosaic

“The true nature of Astreans as a society is still quite mysterious to us, though from what we know they do value companionship. The requirements could have just been their way of getting people together to do something fun thousands of years after the fact.

They have been known for crafting similar scenarios.”

Angea

“Yeah that's for sure. It always throws people like us for a loop when we find out we played right into the hands of people long gone.

They wanted to leave an impact, and have. I wonder if that was their goal all along? To leave behind something amazing that folks would remember?”

Mosaic

“I think it's possible. I mean, people never really have changed much do they?

I would do the same thing. There is always someone wanting to make a grand spectacle that people from now and in the future will look back on fondly.

Though we won't know for certain what the true intentions were until we see what's waiting for us at the end of this path.”

Everyone has been moving towards the beacon for some time, it's difficult to know just how long it's been, or how far below sea level the group is. Up ahead, the beacon is at it's brightest but the path seems to stop suddenly at a sheer drop off. Mosaic and Angea, who have been leading the group forward, stop dead in their tracks when they get to the edge. As the other adventurers gather, they follow suit as well. Being met with the grand view before them, silence falls over the crowd.

This was not there before. Those that explored this ocean would know that. No one had ever mentioned seeing such a thing here... And yet here it stands.

The structure sits atop a piece of land that floats separately from the surrounding ocean geography. It's as if it has been broken away from everything, even time itself, a piece of history perfectly preserved here for thousands of years.

It looks new, as if it has not aged at all since the day it was built. The smooth white stone, vibrant blue and gold metals, and multicolored glass windows are all fully in tact. Though the entire building is dark save for the beam of light emitting from the center of the roof. It's easy to imagine that perhaps, back when this place was in use, this place would be brightly lit and lively as Astreans swam here to visit.

Surrounding this scene is a backdrop of waterfalls that fall for thousands of feet downward and encircle this area.

Angea

“Whoa... Mosaic, buddy, are you seeing this? Oh. Yeah. You are, I see you smirking over there.

But this is really it! I never thought I'd get to see one! It's an Interspace, or a closed space. A place hidden between layers of reality, kind of like a pocket dimension that you can only enter one way. So without the key and lock you wouldn't have been able to see or interact with this place at all, what we did opened this place up to us by bringing it to our plane! No wonder no one has ever found it before now.

That's some real impressive magic.”

Mosaic

“I suspected this is what we'd find.

The Astreans were known to make heavy use of interspaces, long before we ever touched the stars. It's likely the reason how they all vanished, they made there way into some other plane of reality beyond all of us.

It's quite impressive, this is still not something easily done, especially not on this scale.”

Angea

“Isn't this a temple as well? I recognize the architecture. The two towers and the central dome, there's no mistaking it.

Hm, but how would we go about getting down there, the path stops here.”

It's as if the land heard her, because right as she mentions no way forward a flash of light appears from the ground below. Everyone gazes over the edge as before them a stairway of ice forms to create a bridge between the cliff and the island holding the temple. While made of ice, it doesn't seem slippery at all, and even a railing was created with the steps. The Astreans really do think of everything!

Angea and Mosaic glance at each other before moving forward, with the rest of the people who came along following closely behind. When arriving at the temple, the front door opens on its own, allowing everyone inside.

Upon entry, the feeling of being watching is immediately apparently, though there really does not seem to be anyone around. There's a distinct thickness to the air as well, it is stale and clearly having been trapped in this building for many centuries. A layer of dust coats the floor, causing a few sneezes from the crowd. Angea, fully prepared for traversing the unknown, pulls her lantern off her pack and holds it up, snapping her fingers to light it. The bright, warm light of the lamp illuminates the ancient writings covering the walls, and the intricate carvings on every pillar. It reflects off the ceiling above, which is made of a thick, teal glass. Along every pathway and in every room can be found waterfalls, fountains, and shallow pools of water that are always flowing, creating the sounds of streams that echo through the ancient halls.

Angea

“These temples were used as gathering places for important events, celebrations, and for worship. Back in the day, they would've been packed with people.

Astreans from the other seas of our wold would often travel to the temples in other Astrean territories to pay respects.”

Angea

“What's written on the walls here are usually the verses from songs and poems importing to the specific temple, and those would be what they sing and perform during holidays.

Something you'll also find is some of the writings describing a specific person, usually someone who had the temple built and would lead any events that take place there.”

Angea

“They were often times individuals who accomplished great things, and used what wealth and status they had accumulated to give back to the places they came from.

So this person of importance would often be immortalized in the temples they commission in some way out of respect.”

Mosaic

“This important person would also have their tomb put in their temple when they died. Along with all their treasures, records, and knowledge locked away in their associated temple somewhere.

That should be somewhere off of the central dome chamber, so keep an eye out everyone~!”

Angea

“Grave robber.”

At this point Mosaic has taken the lead, completely ignoring any side pathways and making his way forward to the center of the temple. Despite there being no reason to do so, everyone is remaining fairly quiet for the most part while exploring. Perhaps it is out of respect, or the strange anxiety such and old and unfamiliar place causes.

The silence is interrupted, this time by mosaic as he pushes through a large set of golden double doors that gives the profound feeling of importance.

Mosaic

“Yes, this is it!”

As he steps into the room, it comes alight on it's own. Orb-shaped lamps mounted on the walls and hanging from the ceiling emit a cool blue light that reflects off all the walls and the pool of water at the center.

The entire temple is a grand structure, but this room still stands out from the rest. Imagery decorates the walls and from the pictures one might gather that it is a tale of someone important.

Looking over the room, there seems to be a glinting from the water and several chests lining the walls. Upon closer inspection, it seems that the pool is filled with golden coins, and the chests with various artifacts and items. There are also many shelves displaying objects, and weapons mounted to the walls. This must be where all the treasures of the temple are kept!

And the crowning jewel of this place, is a literal jewel it seems. In the center of the pool, there are four serpent statues with scales made of opaque glass coiled around each other, with each of their heads acting as a support for a large stone. Within the large crystal there is a faint silhouette of something, along with a dim red glow near the top that almost seems to pulse with life. Angea gets closer to investigate, but is hesitant to step into the water. She squints at the crystal, trying to make out what's inside.

Angea

“This is... That's...

No, it couldn't be. Unless...?”

Mosaic

“Surprised, are we?

It's exactly what you think. Within that stone, is one of them. An Astrean.

This is something they sometimes did. Some of them would stay behind and trap themselves in stones like this. This is the first time we have found one completely untouched though, usually they have already been broken before we arrive.

This was the only way it seems that an Astrean could stay behind when they all vanished.”

Mosaic

“Now, perhaps they can tell us more about this place~? It shouldn't be too difficult to wake them up.

I'm sure we both have a lot of questions.”

Angea

“Mosaic, are you sure that's safe. We don't know who they are or what they're capable of. We should take more time to learn about this place before bringing someone out of stasis.

Especially if they've been like that for this long.”

Mosaic

“Ohh, what happened to your sense of adventure! Your love of risk, of exploring the unknown!

Come now, surely we can handle whatever happens, there's enough of us here, yes?”

Angea

“That's different and you know it.

But fine, do whatever it is you're going to do. But if something happens I won't be busting my ass to save you.”

Mosaic

“With pleasure!

Alright everyone, please stand back.”

Angea

“That's a Luminahedra.

They are something found in some Astrean buildings, they often times hold all sorts of information. They were used to safely store records.

They are a bit like a puzzle cube, and each one has a different method of opening. So few have been solved and opened that you could count them on one hand.”

Mosaic

“Yes. But we won't be opening it now.

You see, many Astreans had set a sort of... Timer for when they would be freed from their stasis. But for some, it requires a specific trigger.

Something like the building collapsing or flooding, intruders, or in this case...”

One of the serpent statues has an open mouth, Mosaic will approach it and slide the cube inside. It's a perfect fit! A small click is heard as the cube is placed there, and shortly after everyone will feel a pulse of magical energy that shakes you to your core. Then a clear crack forms across the crystal containing the Astrean, drawing the attention of everyone. Mosaic will quickly back up.

It shatters into hundreds of tiny pieces as the being within is freed. They unfurl the single wing they had wrapped themself around as they descend slowly to the shallow water in the pool below them, landing on top of it in a graceful manner. The room's lights reflect of their golden scales.

They then open their eyes, looking out over everyone present with a neutral expression. No confusion, no anger, just a silent calm. The Astrean opens their mouth to speak but they say nothing. This goes on for a minute but it feels like an eternity, but rather than uttering a single word, they instead turn away and jump with such force that they break through the ceiling.   

Angea

“And. They're gone.

I really hope we aren't going to regret releasing whoever that is into the world.

It would have been nice to at least talk to them first, but maybe they got cold feet or something.”

Mosaic

“Yes. Quite strange indeed. I would have though they would at least talk to us first.

Oh well, at the very least they didn't seem to object to us being here so...”

Mosaic

“Let's continue on with our exploration, shall we? There is still much we can learn and discover in this place.

Oh, and I suppose since the only Astrean associated with this temple is gone, we can take some of these treasures with us.

Have fun everyone~! I hope you have enjoyed then thrilling conclusion to my party!”

Angea

“Mosaic I will fight you.”

Exploration

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Rewards:
--> Standard stargold payouts
--> x1 Lucky coin

Loot Table

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These items have a random chance of dropping on each entry! Mosaic assures everyone that it is completely fine to keep these items, Angea seems to regard this with great disapproval.


Each entry has a 1% chance to obtain a Stone of the Sea.

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Each entry has a 10% chance to find a Celestial Orb!

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Each entry has a 15% chance to find x10 Additional Stargold!

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Each entry also has a 30% chance to find a limited Common Aprico Companion while exploring the temple! (10 in total, limit of 1 companion (any) per winner for the entire event)

✦ Raffle:
--> To participate in this raffle you must do an entry for any part of the event, as long as it was not submitted to a previous raffle. You can submit one prompt entry to the raffle, and one piece of gift art for a max of 2 entries per person.

✦ Upcoming Auctions:

--> The next guest auction is scheduled to post sometime this weekend or on monday, so keep an eye out!

✦ Additional updates:

--> One new item, Lucky Coin, has been permanently added to the shopping district for purchase.

--> The Common Aprico Companion can now be hatched from shimmering eggs!

--> x3 Uncommon Aprico Companions are now stocked in the Shopping District! More new companions will be added over the course of the entire event!

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Remember that you can submit entries to any part of the event (as long as you complete parts in order) before the final end date! You are allowed to go back and do an extra entry for parts that allow it if you have not done so already.

The final end date for the entire event is August 23rd at 11:59 PM EST!