Just as cain had spoken, the greatest temple was well guarded. A moat of poison serpents, and a multitude of witches the likes of which I had not seen. Be brave Abhaya; we cannot falter now.

They spewed forth blazing apparitions as they sought to defile our very core with claws. Evils always seem to come in threes. These were truly great foes, each with an unholy gaze which let their names be known.

Geleb fell first with a fiery burst; the hatred in his heart ruptured forth. Toorc was no match as Abhaya put out his eyes; his frost was but a relief from the sweat on our brows. Ismail's tongue lashed curses. I was quick to remove it. Vile worm; die as the oldest stars. I can only hope his incantation will be short-lived.

Cain's words were a blur. I only knew what must be done. Where was Abhaya? I could only see visions of her form.

Compelled to bring ruin unto this temple, I trudged on, smashing ancient magic into ages past. Under this black sun, I collapsed only to awaken to the same sights.

I was determined to enter, yet Abhaya took my shoulder. "We must find strength", were words of wisdom.

She half-carried my walking corpse of a body to the portal. The means of travel in this realm, once so foreign have become trivial anecdotes. "Forgive my weakness", were my words.

In the morn, before the sun had risen, I was conflicted. My thoughts gathered at the waters edge as she slept. As the hour crept on, the water's surface seemed more alive with the rain. Perhaps, I should just take this worn boat and free Abhaya from the trials at hand.

The decision...stay. Though we may perish in that hold, I am driven to surmise that it would be best to do so together.

The moment we entered powerful lords lashed us with brimstone. My will is stronger having time to reflect. And Abhaya, suffice it to say that her tenacity is that of a raging torrent.

Their glowing red eyes made easy targets in the shadows, and we moved onward to reveal the secrets of this hellish hold.

I fear that we should never have entered here. The ferrous smell of blood and chocking odor of disembowelment are so thick that we can taste them.

Ornate pits and pools filled with corpses, fresh as perhaps this morning decorate the floors. Lavish markings and gold leaf adorn the walls. Yes, there is both great hatred and might concealed within this confine.

We cannot fear now Abhaya! Stepping back to back through the halls; I am truly convinced that but for her, I would have perished long ago.

Maybe the longest journey on pvm forum?

Enjoying a lot

One last skirmish with the dead and we have found our way. As much as one can endure has found us this day. Golden skulls and writings of the mad warn us to go no further, but this is not our lot in this realm. Suffer we must, and into the unknown gateways here we shall plunge.

Beyond the gate I could sense there was a great chamber. The first of the guardians found us there. Fire and brimstone, and the horrors of the dead, that is our lot here. When I look at Abhaya's face, I see resolve. Yet, in her heart there is fear, fear not of death...but that our destiny is uncertain.