TrinitySilph on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/trinitysilph/art/EC-In-the-Temple-of-Fire-922335014TrinitySilph

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EC - In the Temple of Fire

TrinitySilph

Published: Jul 13, 2022

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Description

Winter, 326 of the Third Age

Featuring Khairo
Khairo's Magical Awakening Quest, Part 6

In reply to: The Dragon's Challenge

There was nothing in the world Khairo wanted to do less than play bait for a basilisk, but as the only other option was to become a dragon's dinner... bait he would be.

Cantering through the desert for so long was more arduous than the young stallion would have liked to admit, but soon enough he saw the ancient ruins peaking through the sand. They seemed much worse for wear than in his vision, though that was to be expected after apparently centuries in the eroding dunes. Once upon a time, he thought, this place must have been truly magnificent, but time had had its way, as it always did. So enraptured by the temple ruins was he, that he didn't notice the danger of the hidden serpent until it was too late. The basilisk erupted from the sand with a screeching scream that chilled his bones and filled them with static, and Khairo could only stare as the monstrous thing descended upon him. As if in slow motion, he observed the gleam of its teeth, the murder in its eyes. Was this how he was to die, then? Had the Vulcanos betrayed him? That certainly seemed likely.

But then, like a bolt from the heavens, the red dragon dropped from his hiding place in the clouds, and time sped up again as he caught the basilisk and drove it sideways into the nearest dune. Khairo watched in awe for only a heartbeat as the two titanic predators duelled for life and supremacy (and certainly, it seemed the serpent had no real chance) before lunging for his own prize.

He noticed immediately that it was cooler in the temple, protected as it was from the blazing sun. Time had decayed the once-mighty holy place to a crumbling ruin of broken pillars and shattered murals, but he could not deny the beauty of the golden streams of sand and light cascading from the cracked ceiling. There was power in this place - the eternal power of fire - and it called him deeper, seeking his ultimate goal.

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I wasn't sure how to depict the temple, so I hope this is ok!

Since this is my 400th deviation, I wanted to do something fancy. Not sure I hit the mark, but it sure took me long enough.

Image size

1488x963px 1.9 MB

Comments5

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ElysiumAdmin

Aug 6, 2022

Gemstones Earned: 50

Items Found? None

Random Event: None

Into the dark temple you move, hooves gently clacking on the uneven cobble undertow. Eventually the tunnel becomes so dark that its hard to know where your hooves are stepping. Despite a century of neglect a mural of polished stones appears on the wall ahead of you. Unicorns stand in line, commanding swirling orbs of fire. Several more seem to be looking on at the display, the largest unicorn in the foreground the most attentive.

The air seems to grow silent for a time before it begins to buzz, something about it just...electrified as you stare at this foremost figure. The mural seems to grow hazy, like air over an open fire as the figures seem to wiggle ever so slightly. The foremost figure seems to become whole and turns itself around. The fiery bay stallion seems to radiate heat, his golden eyes locking with your own as he heaves a cindery sigh.

For a second the eyes of the unicorn yank you forward and it feels as though you're falling even though both your hooves are firmly planted on the stone floor. The plummeting feeling in your chest is only stops when a rush of warm air seems to fill you from hoof to ear tip. The sound of a crackling fire fills your head, the smell of a gentle bush fire warms your nose and as you finally focus your eyes off the mural you realize smoke is coming from your nose. Your hooves are warm under you as the inner fire you've had all along seems to spark to life.

Congratulations! Khairo has unlocked his Warlock level Fire Magic!