![]() Over one last hill of broken stone, there was the empty courtyard. The eyes were getting more intimate and debris shifted without their presence. Julia added to delay when she would halt them to look around, though he did not begrudge those calls. Picking a way through became a tedious effort. Unstable stone was no longer their greatest difficulty, just the standard. Massive columns and piles stood in their way. There was now a ticking clock.Ī shared look was all she needed to confirm the insight. Julia could feel the pressure doubling on the miracle’s protection. ![]() There was an old failed ward still able to contain a small portion of the wrongness here. There was a distinct change to the air as they crossed through. A shiver ran through her body and the same struck him. ![]() It was too frustrating to talk about this to the man. She huffed with annoyance, but stepped into the ruins anyway. “I hope you can keep that confidence when we’re surrounded.” Even the priestly man was burdened by the sensation. In this dead land speaking too loud felt a sin. “And we must walk into it,” replied Harken, whispering too. “Nothing should be alive here, but if something is, it isn’t going to be pleasant. “I don’t like the look of this last stretch,” whispered Julia. The black temple was covered entirely in the substance. Knowing what to look for, Julia realized that it was the reason for the dark countenance of this realm’s heart. It was thicker the closer her eye was drawn to the central structure. There was also a slimy growth reaching up from under the piled chucks. It was gray stone, like granite and there were flecks of paint stubbornly holding on. The shieldmaiden leaned down to inspect the rubble. There were many places something foul could hide, but nothing at all appeared to breathe within the ruins. ![]() Carefully, Julia studied the chaotic ruins. It had been asked of her and that meant something even through the choking fear. Though nothing yet had attacked, Julia was determined to take guarding Harken seriously. Ruined earth giving way to stained rubble. She had them halt when they arrived at the border of the temple complex. Unbidden and unwanted, Harken was becoming a symbol of faith to her. The same pressure must be pressing him down, but he walked with what seemed to be a light heart. A sight that was both frustrating and uplifting to see. Moving as if there was no burden upon his heart. It was wearying, but the priestly man walked straight-backed. All of this soaked in like the spread of madness. Hateful eyes brushed against them over and over again like itches upon the skin. The rough terrain made sure the two of them had plenty of time to observe the sickened land. Reality rippled and the cracks in the earth shifted like starving maws. The miracle could do nothing about what she felt seeing this ruined place. Protected by body and soul, the only effect the hellscape had was mental. ![]() The shieldmaiden only nodded and moved to take the lead. Strolling forward, Harken said, “Shall we? The altar waits. Only the temple’s heart still stood proudly. Crumbling shells told the story of a large complex, with dozens of buildings surrounding a central structure. Great and small columns rose from the rumble like distended ribs. A boneyard of civilization left to sky burial under broken heavens. She sighed before adding, “I guess we just follow this road?”īeneath them was shattered stone, the remnants of a road leading to the temple ruins ahead. Sternly the shieldmaiden scanned the terrain, holding back the concern and confusion tumbling inside. “It’s terrible,” whispered Julia as she walked to join the madman. Even she could feel the power here was malevolent, but hopefully not sentient. Julia felt like prey being welcomed within by a beast. Black lightning boomed overhead and the ground rumbled. Granted immunity from the screaming sky and ruined earth. The shine surrounding them held back the poison. There was no pain when she stepped into the ruined center. ![]()
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