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Author: Symirryl
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I carry with me only what I need for the journey ahead, although there are some things that cannot be left behind. My epic sword Fiery Defender must be taken with me. My son, if he wishes to follow the path I chose, must earn that on his own. It seems prudent to travel anonymously though so I wrap it up in rags and store it in my haversack. I also wear my hooded cloak to obscure my face and familiar family koada’dal mithril armor. With enough food, drink and other supplies that appear valuable to such a trip I set out on this voyage of discovery. I secret my exit from Felwithe saying goodbye silently and with one last glance I walk out into the leafy green growth of the Faydark. Will I ever be back here again? There is no knowing and what lies ahead for me may be formidable. This trek, though necessary, grips my mind in a wonderment I cannot yet comprehend. However, I must not linger on these thoughts.
Part of the trip is quick. The tomes of knowledge that allow instantaneous passage over vast distances between different city regions by merely touching them progress me hastily through to Nektulos Forest. Here the journey becomes more dangerous as a dread enemy, the tier’dal or dark-elves home of Neriak is nearby and some members of their race who roam these woods can be powerful opponents, especially if encountered alone. Dangers notwithstanding, I hurriedly run northwards to my target the Lavastorm
Mountains and whatever I might find there. Though I know it must only be nearing mid-morning it always seems to be nighttime in this land and today is no exception. The eeriness is unsettling even now after having experienced it so many times before. Before departing thru the northern gap I spy an unwitting enemy guard standing watch near a large boulder. The hatred overcomes my heart, which causes a brief diversion. In the span of mere moments my sword is pulled out from its place of concealment and unsheathed.
The startled guard is charged promptly and I begin swinging before he realizes what is happening. Three quick strokes cleave the terrified man into bloody parts, which fall in several directions. A few young dark-elves, neophytes, who had been resting up from their explorations of the forest under the watchful eye of the formerly living guard, witness the performance in awe. Finished with my handiwork a very rapid swing of my weapon flings the greater measure of blood from the blade and it falls at their feet. A growl of disapproval from the adolescents begins to arise but with a glare of dominance from my narrowed eyes as I wipe off the remaining blood any further protests are collectively hushed. They retreat southeastwards back towards their hometown, presumably to warn other guards of my deeds. I repackage my epic as before and resume my march north, leaving this shadowy domain of discontent behind.
The noonday sun warms the already heated terrain of the Lavastorm Mountains as I make my way farther north. Firedrakes, crawlers and basilisks scurry about the landscape seemingly unaffected by the inhospitable
atmosphere. The wind blowing about feels almost like a furnace trying to burn off my skin. I skirt the small lava
pits and rocky outcroppings as the large mound surrounding Solusek’s Eye comes into view up ahead. As I approach the volcanic crater I stop nearby to wipe the dripping sweat from my eyes to get a better survey of the surroundings. Other than the various vermin that plague this territory, no other life appears to be in the vicinity. Looking around, I shout out for anyone to hear but get no replies. The sizzle of insects that inadvertently tumble into open lava pits and the occasional screech of the odd creature make up the bulk of whatever can be heard. Undaunted, I begin exploring around the huge pool of lava. The three doorways surrounding this chasm are well known by me. The two dungeon entrances on the south wall and the temple to the north. All seems to be as it should be as usual. Several careful circuits around the pit trying to find anything unfamiliar proves fruitless. The daylight begins to wane as I stop near the temple entrance to take a break from the search. It seems as though perhaps my dream had only been just a dream and nothing more. But just as I start to leave and the sun falls behind the western hilltop a low rumbling sound begins. I can tell ultimately after a few moments that the sound is coming from within the large lava pit. Suddenly the lava all at once starts revolving around inside the pit-slowly at first but continuously gathering speed until the mass is hurling about like an enraged hurricane. The deadly material reaches up close to the level of the walkways in the tempest. At the culmination of this event the center or more appropriately
eye of the disturbance clears leaving an opening in the middle that widens far enough to see down to the pit floor
where incredibly there appears to be a tome of knowledge, previously hidden underneath the lava of the pit. The
speeding, circulating lava roars around at an incredible rate as I stand here in near disbelief. But the decision is
unmistakable now and in a flash I hurl myself into the abyss. My senses are overwhelmed and for the longest time
the last few moments I recall in a blurred repeating haze. My fall into the opening in the eye of the lava replaying
again and again like a horrible mocking loop. I think I might have died.
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